Even if you keep snacks and meals away from your mouse and keyboard, they’ll still get dirty over time with dust, skin flakes, hair, and oils from your hands. However, spending just under five minutes cleaning them each week can help keep them clean. (And try not to eat near your keyboard!)
Mechanical keyboards require a bit more care than other types because debris can easily fall into the gaps between the keys. But if you give them a thorough cleaning every few months, they’ll stay in good condition for a long time.
What you need
- Compressed air: Any type of compressed air will work.
- Microfiber cloth: You can use any microfiber cloth.
- Wire keycap puller: If your keyboard didn’t include one, you’ll need to purchase a wire keycap puller to remove the keycaps safely.
- Dish soap: A few drops in hot water can effectively clean and degrease the keycaps.
- Cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol: Use cotton swabs and some high-percentage isopropyl alcohol for spot cleaning inside the keyboard.
How long will this take to clean?
For a quick clean, set aside five minutes each week. For a thorough cleaning, you’ll need about 30 minutes, plus some extra time for everything to dry, to clean a dirty keyboard and mouse.
How to give your keyboard and mouse a quick clean
Every week, unplug your keyboard, turn it upside down, and shake out any dirt or crumbs. Next, use a microfiber cloth to wipe the keys to remove oils from your fingers. While it’s still upside down, you can lightly use compressed air or a keyboard brush to get rid of any remaining particles. However, be careful with compressed air as it might push dirt deeper into the keyboard, making it feel rough when typing.
For your mouse, clean it with a microfiber cloth to take off any skin oils. Use compressed air to clear out dust and particles from the seams and the scroll wheel. Avoid using air under the buttons to prevent pushing dirt into the mechanisms, which could stop it from working.
If there’s buildup on the feet of your mouse or keyboard, wipe it away with a microfiber cloth or a cotton swab. For tough bits, use a toothpick to scrape them off.
A deeper clean for mechanical keyboards
When your keyboard is really dirty—like if shaking it doesn’t remove the debris, or the keys are slick from hand oils—it’s time for a thorough cleaning. This method is best for mechanical keyboards only, because trying to take the keycaps off other types, such as scissor-switch or membrane keyboards, might damage them.
To remove the keycaps, use a wire keycap puller. Hook the tool around the edges of each keycap and pull up gently. Place the keycaps into a sealable container or a bowl.
Add a little soap and fill the container with hot water. Close the container and shake it lightly, or just stir the keycaps in the bowl. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes.
While the keycaps are soaking, take a cotton swab and use it to clean out any remaining dirt from under the keycaps, around the switches, and the stabilizers. If you find any sticky spots, dip the tip of a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and scrub the area to remove the residue. Be careful not to use isopropyl alcohol on the keycaps, the keyboard’s outer case, or a mouse, as it can damage some materials.
If you accidentally remove some lubricant from the stabilizers while cleaning, you can apply a little more. Use a silicone-based lubricant that starts with the numbers 92.
After soaking the keycaps for at least 30 minutes, shake or stir them again. Then rinse them three to five times with clean water to make sure all the soap and dirt are gone. After that, shake off the excess water—I like to use a plastic colander for this—and lay them out on a towel to dry overnight. Make sure there’s no water left inside the stems of the keycaps. Once they’re dry, you can reattach all the keycaps to your keyboard, and that’s it!