How to Clean a Mechanical Keyboard

It can be annoying how dirty mechanical keyboards can get after being used for a while. Though, the cleaning process of these keyboards is easy. By the end of this guide, you will know how to make your mechanical keyboard much cleaner than it used to be.

Safety Precaution: Power off your keyboard before starting any of the steps. This would eliminate electrical risks. Remember to handle electronic equipment with dry hands and avoid using excessive liquid when cleaning. Also, be careful not to break switches and keycaps throughout this process.

1. Keycap puller (wire or plastic)
2. Small brush
3. Q-tips
4. Water
5. Microfiber cloth

1. Adjust your keycap puller around the keycap.

1. If you are using a wire keycap puller:
2. Stretch the two wire loops apart.
3. Position the two wire loops around the keycap, hooking under opposite sides.
4. If you are using a plastic keycap puller:
5. Hold the keycap puller’s handle with your hand.
6. Push the two plastic prongs underneath the edges of the keycap.

2. Firmly grip the keycap puller’s handle with your hand.

3. Gently pull upward to remove the keycap without damaging the switch.

4. Repeat until all the keycaps are removed.

5. With a small brush, brush off the loose debris from between the key switches.

6. Dampen the end of a Q-tip with water.

7. Rub the dampened end between the key switches.

8. Replace the Q-tip when dirty and continue cleaning.

9. Polish up by brushing the surfaces of the keyboard and keycaps with a microfiber cloth.

10. With your hand, align the keycap with the keyboard switch.

11. Press the keycap firmly to secure it in the place of the keyboard switch.

12. Repeat until all the keycaps are in place.

13. Once you are done placing all the keycaps, your mechanical keyboard should look like how it was earlier but cleaner. Congrats!