Sooner or later every computer user will face the need to clean up their keyboard globally. In theory, the soap and water program should be done every two to three months. In practice, most hands are cleaned when keys start to stick and come off. Removing a few buttons reveals a brave new world of dirt and dust.
In this article, we'll see how to put a keyboard in the tub, familiarize yourself with all the cleaning methods, and check out how to make keycaps in practice.
what it takes to clean the keyboard
There are general methods for cleaning keyboards and specific methods that only work with certain types of designs. Let's start with common methods and the simplest tools.
Wipes - We recommend using device-specific wipes. However, the most common alcoholic beverages are also great. Just don't take preservatives that smell. If the distance between the keys is small, after drying, the sanitizer will start to stick the keys together.
USB vacuum cleaner - cheap but not very useful. The power supply is too small and the computer or laptop must be turned on when cleaning. The biggest job it can do is blow away dust and remove cat hair from surfaces. A car or cordless vacuum cleaner model will do this task better. Unfortunately, even the most powerful vacuum cleaners in the world are unlikely to clean the keyboard from the inside.
Cleaning slime is a liquid, sticky, unpleasant tactile clump of chemical slime that was invented for those who were too lazy to disassemble their keyboards on a regular basis. This method isn't quick to call, but it's certainly the easiest. There's only one problem - all the dirt is left on the slime and the buttons get greasy. But they shine!
Compressed air is another way of being lazy, and not without its side effects. All the dust was blown onto tables, floors, armchairs and other "scattered" equipment. Recommended only for sticky key emergencies or in a room that is ready for cleaning.
A cylinder of compressed air can be a good substitute for a blow dryer turned on at maximum power. Just don't turn it off so that the buttons don't melt, cold mode is recommended (there is one, but not on all models).
Button Picker - Surprisingly, the Chinese have created a button picker. The process is somewhat reminiscent of a slot machine with a crane. The button needs to be picked up from both sides and pulled up.
Sadly, such a device is not mass-produced. We use good quality old nail files, paper clips, flathead screwdrivers, or in extreme cases a pocket knife. All of this can be found in the Multitool - it will still come in handy in the future for global cleaning or repairing the keyboard.
We found the tools to get us right into the cleaning routine.
Keyboard quick clean
If something spills on the keyboard, the poor thing urgently needs to be disconnected and turned upside down. The liquid flows out on its own and is only used to wipe the keys.
The keys can be wet ruffled at least daily, and you'll need napkins or cotton swabs and isopropyl alcohol for the process. This liquid is available at any drugstore. Compared to regular alcohol, it dries faster and leaves no streaks. The procedure is very simple - be careful, one button and three buttons light up. To rub from the side, press the adjacent button.
Cheeky sticky keys can be picked up edge by edge with the flat edge of a knife, nail file, etc. Only without fanaticism, this is not a global purge. If you have a fine brush for cleaning some devices, go through the gaps between the keys.
WARNING: Makeup brushes are not suitable, their bristles are too thin and can easily fall off the holder.
You can lighten up the heavy lifting with the help of slime. Take the ball out of the bag and place it on a flat surface. After 10-15 minutes (depending on the temperature of the room) it spreads over the keys, collecting dust, debris and hair. Then all of this needs to be ripped from the keyboard.
The disadvantage of this method is as follows: all the dirt collects on the surface and inside of this gel-like slurry. When the slime spreads a lot, it starts sticking to all the bumps and breaks, and one piece becomes dozens of little sticky clumps on the key. Over time, it's easier to do a major cleaning of the keyboard than to single out this colorful beauty. Apparently, this cleaning tool is only suitable for dusty keyboards.
Global Keyboard Cleaning Step-by-Step Instructions
Keyboard keys are divided into three types: mechanical, membrane, scissors. You can clean them in two ways: outside and inside - the last path is wet and prickly, cheer up!
General cleaning principles:
Take out your smartphone and take a photo of the keyboard, making all the keys fit into the frame. "I'll remember anyway" - that doesn't work.
Take a flat sharp object and remove all the keys one by one.
When cleaning buttons in bulk, they must be folded into a cloth bag or plastic container.
If the numbers and letters on your keyboard are protected by a special coating, you can wash the bag in the washing machine, just fasten it. If you're concerned about the safety of Russian layouts, arm yourself with an old toothbrush with soft bristles and polish every element.
Open the rich inner world of the keyboard and dump everything that was originally in it. Use brushes, vacuum cleaners, and hair dryers for walking. If it doesn't have a cold setting, put a cloth on the back of the hair dryer and pick up the dirt instead of blowing it out. Be careful or you will have to clean the blower later.
Features of cleaning different keyboards
Membrane or Membrane - With no moving mechanical parts, the "pattern" of the keys is applied on a flat surface. Clean the membrane with a napkin. You can wipe with a sponge or cotton swab moistened with soapy water. Remove all buttons.
Scissors are often found in laptops. Removing the keys is not recommended, they are difficult to put back. The protective cover above the keyboard needs to be removed, the bolts unscrewed, the cables carefully disconnected, and then cleaned and cleaned with a sponge.
Mechanical - As is clear from the name, with this type of structure, everything moves, which means it is broken down into its constituent parts. A mechanical keyboard can be expanded into a hundred elements, then all washed in a crowd or carefully rubbed in a basin.
How to wash the keyboard
Turn the "patient" over, unscrew the bolts on the back cover, shake it out, and carefully separate the textolite with the wire from the plastic housing.
The board does not need cleaning, textolite is possible but not desirable (may damage the contacts).
all! We send it to dry. Then we collect everything in reverse order.
Solve the problem of stuck/dropped keys
Most of the time, the keys get stuck due to accumulated dirt, small objects that got inside, or spilled sugary liquid. It doesn't have to be poured directly on the keyboard, a splash is enough. The sugar in the droplets will crystallize over time, dust will stick to it, and voila! The only solution is to clean.
If the problem occurs after cleaning, the key may not be fully seated in the groove. Space, Backspace and Enter have a double fastening system. You need to enter the groove from both sides at the same time. Follow the principle of "unsuccessful the first time, sure success the second or third time".
Butterfly mounts on laptop keyboards are very fragile and break easily, be careful not to remove them, only wash them from the outside.
button error
In most cases, the cause of failure is basic wear and tear. Never mind - carefully pull out the key, take a 10 x 10mm piece of foil, and fold it into layers.
Then slide under the button and put the key into place. The smoothness of the pressing is adjusted by the height of the foil. If the button is large, just a larger piece (you can use paper). On such crutches, the keyboard works for years - verified.
Replace keycaps
Buying new keys will make you feel like a keyboard dentist. Why change them? Often the inscriptions are erased over time, and sometimes you need something new and unusual, like a colored key.
Replacing keycaps is easy and simple. Buy the necessary buttons, pull out the old button, push on the new button. Mechanical keyboards are the easiest to port.
You can make unique kaikaps with playful hands. Getting the mold and UV resin is enough. Of course, you can also print on a 3D printer, but who has?
Step-by-step instructions for programmers here, and guidance for creative souls here.
General keyboard cleaning may seem complicated at first glance, but it's actually quite simple. Every time the procedure is faster due to the experience gained.
It's best to have a spare keyboard or a separate keyboard for gaming to use when the main keyboard dries up. Don't be lazy to clean your keyboard, they won't let you down when it matters most!