Over time, the keyboard gets dirty even if you don't eat or smoke at your computer desk. Accumulated dust and dirt will adversely affect the performance of the keyboard. In most cases, it is sufficient to clean the keyboard with compressed air and isopropyl alcohol. It is more dangerous if liquid gets on the keyboard, in which case it should be dried immediately. To get rid of sticky keys, disassemble the keyboard and clean it properly. After that, it will look like new.

Steps

Garbage disposal

1. Turn off your computer and disconnect all cables. To protect your hardware from damage, turn off your computer before cleaning your keyboard. If you have a wired keyboard, pull out the cable that connects it to the computer. If you are unable to turn off the keyboard (for example, in a laptop), unplug the computer's power cable to reduce the risk of electric shock.

   • You can disconnect the USB wireless keyboard while the computer is on. However, if the keyboard is of a different type, then this attempt may damage the computer, so if you are unsure, it is best to shut down the computer first.
   • Remove the batteries from the wireless keyboard, especially if you are going to thoroughly clean the keys.

2. Turn the keyboard upside down to shake the debris out of it. Flip the keyboard over and shake it. Be careful when doing this. This will remove most of the crumbs, debris, hairs and other debris from the keyboard. When doing this, tilt the keyboard at different angles and tap the underside of the keyboard to shake out as much debris as possible.

   • Listen for the sound of debris rolling in the middle of the keyboard. Mechanical keyboards and other devices with raised keys can make this sound. In this case, consider disassembling the keyboard and cleaning it thoroughly.
   • If you are cleaning a laptop keyboard, open it and hold the monitor with one hand and the base with the other.

3. Blow dust and debris out of the keyboard with compressed air. Compressed air is the primary cleaning agent for keyboard surface cleaning. Take the can at a 45 degree angle and point it at the keys. Blow a jet of compressed air over the keyboard. At the same time, keep the spray nozzle 1–2 centimeters from the keys.

   • You can purchase a can of compressed air at an electronics or office supply store. It can also be ordered online.
   • Aim at different angles to clean the keyboard properly. Rotate the can in different directions.
   • If you are cleaning a laptop keyboard or membrane keyboard, try holding it while blowing compressed air. Hold the keyboard upright at an angle of approximately 75 degrees to the air stream.

4. Remove the stuck debris with a vacuum cleaner. The vacuum cleaner will help to remove most of the particles stuck between the keys. If you don't have a vacuum cleaner with a hose, try using a regular vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. Go over the entire keyboard and pay special attention to the gaps between the keys. Most of the trash is hidden here.

   • Make sure that all keys are held securely in place, especially if you are dealing with a laptop. If any key is sucked into the vacuum cleaner, remove it from the dust container, wash it and put it back. Slide the key over the pin or clip to reattach it to the keyboard.

5. Wipe the gaps between the keys with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Moisten a cotton swab just a little so that a large amount of moisture does not get under the keys. Run a cotton swab around each key to remove dust, grease, and other debris. Repeat this several times as necessary and thoroughly clean the sides of each key. When the cotton swab gets dirty, replace it with a clean one.

   • Isopropyl alcohol dries very quickly, so it is better for cleaning the keyboard than plain water. You can get it at your pharmacy or supermarket.
   • Instead of a cotton swab, you can use microfiber wrapped around the tip of the knife. Moisten it with alcohol and wipe the gaps between the keys. This method is better for cleaning a mechanical keyboard with raised keys.
   • Be careful with your laptop. Isopropyl alcohol is also good for it, but there are other components under the laptop keyboard that can be easily damaged. Be careful not to get moisture under the keys.

6. Wipe the keyboard with a cloth dampened with alcohol. Use a lint-free cloth or paper towel to avoid adding new debris. Alcohol should not drip from the cloth after you wet it. Remove dust and other debris from the surface of each key.

   • Take a closer look at the most commonly used keys (for example, the spacebar and the enter key). They usually have more dirt on them. You may need to wipe these keys several times to completely clean them.
   • Remove dirt from heavily soiled areas with a toothpick. Point the toothpick almost parallel to the key and wipe off the dirt. Then wipe the key with alcohol.

7. Polish the keyboard with a lint-free cloth. Wipe down the keyboard one last time to remove any remaining dust and moisture. Examine the keyboard; if there is dirt on it, consider cleaning it more thoroughly. After cleaning the keyboard, connect it to your computer and check how it works.

   • Alcohol remaining on the keys should dry within a minute. The water takes longer to dry. If you've used water to clean your keyboard or suspect moisture has gotten on it, wait 24 hours for it to dry completely before connecting it to your computer.

   Cleaning the keyboard from liquid

   1. Turn off the computer and disconnect the keyboard from the computer. If you spill liquid on the keyboard, shut down the computer immediately. Liquid can seep into the keyboard and damage the keyboard and other components while using the laptop. For a wired keyboard, disconnect its cable from the computer. If liquid spills on the laptop keyboard, turn off the power.

      • Take immediate action to avoid damaging your keyboard and computer. Liquid has a bad effect on electronic components. Do not turn on the computer until the keyboard has dried.
      • Before disconnecting the wired keyboard, shut down the computer to avoid damaging it.

   2. Turn the keyboard upside down and try to shake out the liquid. Turn the keyboard upside down over a sink, trash can, or towel to drain the liquid rather than seeping deeper. Shake the keyboard to shake out any dripping between the keys. Continue shaking the keyboard until drops of liquid are no longer shaken out of the keyboard.

      • Tilt the keyboard to drain liquid. If you have a laptop, direct the liquid towards the keyboard to prevent damage to the monitor and other critical components. Turn the open laptop over so that the liquid flows towards the keyboard and spills out.

   3. Dry the keyboard with a microfiber cloth. When doing this, hold the keyboard upside down. Try to remove as much liquid as possible with a rag. Don't flip the keyboard back over until you've wiped off everything you can.

      • Paper towels and regular textiles leave lint behind, so try to use microfiber. If you urgently need to wipe down your keyboard and you don't have a suitable cloth on hand, use one that leaves less lint. Paper towels, a tea towel, or even an old T-shirt will do.

   4. Wait at least 24 hours for the keyboard to dry. Place the keyboard upside down to drain any remaining liquid. Place a towel under the keyboard to absorb the liquid. When the keyboard is dry, you can flip it back over.

      • In most cases, 24 hours is sufficient to dry all spilled liquid. If you have time, dry the keyboard for 2-3 days.

   5. Check the keyboard for sticky keys or other signs of damage. Connect a wired keyboard to your computer or turn on your laptop. Try to print something. Check each key. You may need to remove individual keys and clean them.

      • If you spill something other than water, some keys may stick. In this case, you will have to disassemble the keyboard and clean it inside.
      • If you spill liquid on an expensive laptop, consider contacting a professional. Laptops are much more delicate and harder to clean than regular keyboards. A technician will be able to check if the internal components of the laptop are damaged.

      Cleaning the keyboard inside

      1. Turn off your computer and disconnect the keyboard. This is necessary for the safety of your computer and your safety. Turn off the computer first, then disconnect the keyboard from the computer. If you have a wireless keyboard, remove the batteries from the keyboard.

         • Unplug the power cord if you are using a laptop. Press any key to make sure the laptop is completely turned off.
         • If you are using a wired keyboard, shut down your computer before disconnecting it.

      2. If the keys come off, pull them out with a screwdriver. On most modern keyboards, the keys are attached with small clips and can be easily removed from them. Use a flat screwdriver or butter knife to pry the corner of the key, push up slightly and try to pull it out with your fingers. You may need to wiggle a key or pry on the opposite side to remove it from the slot.

         • Before pulling out the keys, take a photo of the keyboard with your mobile phone. This will help you then insert the keys in the correct order.
         • Use the key to remove the keys. It can be ordered online or purchased from an electronics store.
         • If you have any problems ejecting the keys, refer to the instructions that came with the keyboard or consult a professional on how to properly disassemble and clean the keyboard.

      3. If possible, unwind the keyboard and unfold it. Flip the keyboard over and look for the screws. Some keyboards have two panels twisted together. If the keyboard has screws, unscrew them, remove the bottom bezel, and clean it separately. Check for screws underneath the labels that are glued to the keyboard.

         • If the keys do not extend, then the bezel can usually be removed. Then remove the keys, if possible, to better clean the bezel.

      4. Place the keys in a colander and rinse them with warm water. Place a towel near the sink. Run warm water from the tap and put the keys in a colander. Place a colander under running warm water and stir the keys with your hand to thoroughly rinse them. The water will wash away any debris and drain into the holes in the bottom of the colander. Then sprinkle the keys on a towel to dry.

         • If the water hasn't washed away all the dirt, try using a liquid dish soap. Fill a bowl with warm water and add one tablespoon (15 milliliters) of liquid soap to make a foamy solution. Denture cleaning tablets can be used instead of liquid soap.

      5. Clean the empty bezel with warm water and soap. Place the bar in a colander or bowl and rinse with warm water. To remove stubborn dirt, rub it with a microfiber cloth and soap and water. Then set the panel aside and wait for it to dry. Remove any remaining dirt and debris from the keyboard. Key slots are small tabs or clips. Wipe the sides of each clip to remove any dirt from it. Then lightly dampen a cotton swab with the cleaning solution and wipe the top of each clip.

         • If the keyboard does not work, check if you assembled it correctly and connected all the wires to it.
         • If you need to clean your laptop, consider seeking professional help. A professional will be able to disassemble the laptop, find damaged parts, and safely clean the electronic components.
      • On most keyboards, the hardest thing to do is put back the space bar. This key breaks more easily, so consider keeping it on while cleaning.
      • You usually don't need to disassemble your laptop to clean your keyboard. However, if you are an electronics expert, the laptop can be disassembled for a more thorough cleaning.
      • Laptops have more delicate keys and are harder to replace. The spacebar and enter keys may have separate supports that need to be reinstalled along with the new keys.
      • If you forget the order of the keys, turn on the computer and search the internet for the keyboard image. You can also find the onscreen keyboard or keyboard viewer in your computer settings.
      • Some people wash their keyboards in the dishwasher. Use this as a last resort unless recommended by the manufacturer.
      • If you are unclear about a keyboard or computer, consult a professional. He will inspect the keyboard and be able to clean it more thoroughly and safer so that it works again.

      Warnings

      • Cleaning the keyboard may damage it. This is especially unsafe in the case of a laptop, as liquid cleaners can damage the laptop.
      • When purchasing a keyboard or laptop, check the warranty statement. Certain cleaning methods may void your warranty. To avoid this, follow the manufacturer's recommendations or contact a specialist.
      • Compressed air is toxic, so work in a well-ventilated area and do not inhale the contents of a compressed air cylinder.

Every joke has some truth. Here comes the bearded "Shake out the keyboard - collect the cookie!" based on true events. If you've ever turned your keyboard upside down, then you know what we're talking about. There is no need to clean the keyboard every month, but when the keys start to sink, rush or do not squeeze, then it's time!

How to clean a computer keyboard

Let's start with the fact that keyboards are different. There are membrane keyboards, and there are mechanical ones. Both those and others can bedisassemble-clean-assemble back ... But membrane keyboards are more common, because they are much cheaper, and many users when buying a keyboard are guided by the principle "what is cheaper, I'll take it." It is necessary to disassemble these two types of keyboard a little differently, because if you cannot determine which keyboard you are using by the response of a key or by the sound of pressing, there is only one solution - “Google it!”.

How to know which keyboard you have

All computer keyboards are labeled. If the model name is not displayed on the front panel of the keyboard, then such information will certainly be presented on the back side - by a sticker or engraving. Therefore, turn the keyboard over and rewrite the data.

We go to the search engine or to the APORT, and we are looking for a technical description of the model. It will write exactly what type of keyboards yours belongs to. For example, let's look at APORT:

Keyboard A4Tech Bloody B314. Type: mechanical.

Logitech G19s Gaming Keyboard. Type: membrane.

Important!The stereotype that “gaming keyboards” are “mechanical” is not true. Yes, a mechanical gaming keyboard is the best choice, but that doesn't mean that every gaming keyboard is necessarily a mechanic.

How to clean a membrane keyboard

There are two ways - surface cleaning and general cleaning. We warn you right away: you won't be able to quickly clean the keyboard: a lot of small details will make you tinker with dust and crumbs.

Surface cleaning

This cleaning does not require disassembling the keyboard. For cleaning you may need:

• compressed air cylinder (you can replace a small medical pear - it has less efficiency, but also the price);
• cotton buds;
• microfiber napkins;
• warm water
• a small brush with a hard bristle (you can also use a cheap toothbrush);
• alcohol-containing liquid (you cannot use aggressive cleaning agents - you run the risk of “removing” letters from the keys and any other color coating too).

Beforehand, besides “lifting and shaking out” you can use one more method - vacuuming the keyboard. Without any special predilection and not at maximum power, so as not to look for the torn off keys in the dust collector. If your vacuum cleaner has interchangeable nozzles, use a narrow long nozzle (“spout”, “crevice nozzle”) or a round brush nozzle.

It is convenient to “blow out” debris between and under the keys with a can of compressed air, and then brush it off with a brush.

Greasy stains on the ends of the keys can be removed with a detergent diluted in warm water. Soak a cotton swab in this solution and wipe the keys. It is important that the liquid does not drain from the stick, so do not overdo it with water. Instead of water and detergent, you can also use special alcohol-containing solutions.

To complete the “quick” cleaning, the surface of the keyboard can be wiped with a damp microfiber cloth.

Important!Do not use paper towels - just clog the keyboard with paper dust or flakes of wet, torn paper.

Surface cleaning does not guarantee that you will get rid of all the dust in one fell swoop - there will be something left under the keys. But for those who do not want to go for a screwdriver and are not sure that they can find the right place for each removed key, such keyboard cleaning will do!

On a note:On APORT you can find an alternative to cotton swabs and soap solutions - “slime” for cleaning the keyboard (see the category Cleaning products and accessories). This thing is for a couple of cleanings, no more. It will not remove all the dirt, especially from the keys, but crumbs, fibers, and other small debris will stick to the “slime”. And it will be faster this way.

General cleansing

Assumes keyboard parsing - full or partial. For a partial one, you will need the elements from the list above plus a flat thin object - a table knife or a nail file will do. The latter is in order to pry on each key and remove it from the fasteners.

Do not worry! Then put everything in its place. In order not to confuse the arrangement of the keys, you can:

1. Remove the keys and rearrange them on a horizontal surface in accordance with the location on the keyboard unit. It is long and often ineffective - as soon as you touch the table or leave the lovingly spread buttons alone with the cat / child, your whole idea will go down the drain (in a figurative sense, of course). Although, cats (and children too) pull anything into their mouths, so make sure that someone does not inadvertently eat your Enter and Backspace.
2. You can take a photo of the keyboard and use it, like a picture on a puzzle, to find the right places for the keys.
3. Use the PC as a hint for assembling the keyboard.

3.1. If you have Windows.Go to Start - Programs - Accessories - Accessibility - On-Screen Keyboard. In Windows 10, go to Start - Settings - Accessibility - Keyboard - Turn on the onscreen keyboard.

3.2. If you have a Mac.You need Programs - System Preferences - Language and Text - Input Sources. Place a marker next to Keyboard and Symbols and Show Input Menu in Menu Bar. So the keyboard block will be displayed on the screen by clicking on the flag icon at the very top of the screen - where the language usually changes.

Important!If you have already removed some of the keys and find that you do not remember the location of the letters / numbers, you only need a mouse or touchpad to fill the memory gap.

Remove only keys

1. Using a knife / nail file, pry the keys one at a time and gradually pull them up. They can be removed easily, without pressure. Additional fasteners are most often only on the Space key, therefore we pry it first from one side and then from the other side. We put the keys aside and are horrified by what we see.

The disassembled membrane keyboard looks like this (now the joke about “shake the cookie” is clear to you?):

1. We send the keys to the sink: warm soapy water and a brush will help to remove greasy deposits, sticky residues of jam or whatever you once poured onto the keyboard. Some craftsmen recommend washing the keys in the washing machine (after placing them in a bag for delicate items). We will not advise this. As, in fact, placing the keys in the dishwasher. Let's not be lazy and clean the keyboard by hand. Let you spend more free time, but as a result you will not get peeled keys without a chance of identification, but the opportunity to return everything as it was.
2. Thoroughly shake out / vacuum / blow the keyboard base. In short, we are doing everything to get rid of the horror found there. If you will be doing wet cleaning, do not flood the keyboard with water from a wipe / spray.

Important!If you use a spray, then it is sprayed onto a napkin, and they are already wiping the keyboard with it. Spraying on the keyboard is strictly prohibited!

1. Dry the keyboard base and keys. Then carefully place them in the appropriate spaces. To install the keys, you just need to carefully put the key down and put it back in place with a light press.

Remove everything: keys, membranes, board

This method is more interesting, but requires some technical skill.

1. We remove each key and put it aside.
2. You will need a Phillips screwdriver to remove the fasteners on the plastic keyboard case (on the back). We recommend that you first recalculate all the fasteners and if they suddenly differ (which is unlikely), make a small layout diagram of the typical elements. Plus, we recommend folding the screws in one place - a tea saucer or any other vessel in which it would be comfortable for them to wait for an hour of assembly will do.
3. Remove the back cover of the keyboard. Before us is a film with contact tracks. We also dismantle it, carefully lifting it from the rest of the block (as a rule, it is not fixed with additional screws). Together with it, we remove the fee.
4. Now it remains to remove only the contact membranes - separate rubber tabs placed in each of the key cells.

Important!Depending on the membrane keyboard model, the tabs for different keys may have different diameters / colors. If you see a difference, again, make a plan-diagram of the location of excellent elements, so that later you can assemble a working keyboard, and not torment yourself for an hour over the rebus “Where did that stand ?!”.

1. The membranes are also easily removable - you can simply shake them out of the cells. This is what you will do.
2. Before you should be "naked" plastic, which does not have a single wiring. Congratulations! You have disassembled the keyboard! Now go to wash it: keys - separately, the base of the keyboard - separately. The membranes can also be easily refreshed. Do not put tape with contact tracks under water - this is a bad idea.
3. When all the elements are dry and shine clean, start assembling: first the membranes, then the plate with contact tracks and the board, then the back cover of the keyboard and, finally, put all the keys back in place using the cheat sheet.

How to clean a mechanical keyboard

Cleaning a mechanical keyboard from cleaning a membrane keyboard is more careful when performing the same type of action and applying additional lubricant to the cleaned areas.

A mechanical keyboard does not need to be disassembled into quarks - then you will not assemble it yourself. And there is no need - the internal elements practically do not allow debris to crawl under the body of the input device.

You just need to remove the keys: without additional support and prying with a knife - just gently pull each key up, they should come out of the mounting slots. Many mechanical keyboards come with a special pliers for removing buttons. For example, the inexpensive A4Tech Bloody B540.

Now we arm ourselves with a cotton swab, a duyka and - well, clean out the remnants of lunch in the space between the keys!

Important!If the dirt is serious and not only cleaning around the mechanics is required, but also the mechanics themselves would not be in the way of washing, keep in mind: after cleaning, you will need to renew the lubricant. Otherwise, the key travel may change - without lubrication, the mechanic "claps", and the noisy keyboard has a negative effect on the nerves.

Be extremely careful when cleaning additional keyboard elements such as LEDs. Instead of a large microfiber cloth, use cotton swabs or any other handy “tool” at hand that can be delicately cleaned.

And again: don't overdo it with water!

Important!Mechanics, especially when relubricating the keys, are recommended to dry for 1-2 days. Yes, yes, days, not hours. Therefore, be patient, and do not be tempted to dry the keyboard on the battery less than it should be - you run the risk of losing without a keyboard altogether.

Captain Obvious on guard of order

After all, you perfectly understand that you need to clean the keyboard after disconnecting it from the power supply, right? No matter what type of keyboards it belongs to. This is how we are, just in case.

How to clean a laptop keyboard

Laptop keyboards are more difficult to clean than PC keyboards. On some models, it is enough to remove the plastic block covering the keyboard to access the breadcrumbs and cat hair. In others, you need to carefully remove each key separately and then with a masterful level of dismantling a laptop keyboard. This is because scissor membrane keyboards are often installed in laptops, which have a different key fastening principle than mechanics or a conventional membrane.

Disassembled scissor keyboards look like in the photo below. And the main danger here is not to remove the scissor plate together with the key and / or not to damage the scissor plate during dismantling. Therefore, we would recommend not to take the bull by the horns, but to contact the service center. There, in addition to the keyboard, they can also clean the laptop hardware from dust.

If you are determined to clean your laptop on your own, the set of tools should be the same as with a regular PC keyboard: a soft textile napkin, a degreasing agent (a special spray or solution of water and kitchen detergent), cotton swabs and what will be it is convenient to remove the keys from the fasteners.

Important!When cleaning the laptop keys, we strongly recommend that you unplug the power cord, shut down the system correctly, and then remove the laptop battery (if the model design allows it).

If you do not want to remove the keys, you can simply run a brush / cloth between the keys and remove any visible dust. Of course, this will not have the same effect as with collapsible cleaning, and is unlikely to have a positive effect on the operation of the device at all. But it will be more pleasant for you to work with a clean laptop - it's true.

We shake out the dust, go through with a vacuum cleaner (reduce the suction power to a minimum and run the hose along the laptop not end-to-end), sweep it with a brush or a textile napkin - whichever is more convenient for you. Just do not fill the napkin with water: it may be wet, but it should not drip from it!

We dry the keyboard, the keys after cleaning - as well, and carefully mount in place.

Important!Do not try to turn on the laptop unless you are sure that all the elements are dry and free of moisture!

Surface cleaning should be done once a month. It will get rid of dust and crumbs (for those who like to chew something tasty in front of the monitor).

Flip and shake the keyboard a little. Some of the debris will disappear already at this stage.

Take a small brush or paintbrush and brush away any dust and crumbs that get stuck between the keys.

To get rid of dust in hard-to-reach places, you can use a special USB vacuum cleaner for the keyboard or cans with compressed air, which are sold in digital and household appliances stores (cleaning products department). A regular hair dryer is also suitable, but only if the keys are tight and there is no chance that the debris will simply clog deeper.

The keyboard can only be blown out with cold air.

To remove grease from the keys, run over them with a paper towel or microfiber.

During preventive cleaning, never use wet rags: no liquid should get into the keyboard. Maximum - wet wipes for the computer.

Deep cleaning

Disassemble and wash every three months. You will have to do the same if you spill something on it.

Method 1. Standard

This method is suitable for cleaning the built-in laptop keyboard.

Remove the keys. Usually the buttons are fastened with latches. It is easy to pull them off with a paper clip, flat screwdriver or knife, starting from the side edge of the key. This must be done very carefully, because thin plastic is easy to damage.

Tech Profis / youtube.com

Pay particular attention to long keys like Shift, Enter and Space. They are usually held in place with metal clips, making them harder to remove and reattach. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better not to touch them. On some laptops, this option is not provided at all.

Clean the attachment point. Use a flannel cloth, damp cloth, or paper towel to rub over the seams. You can blow out the inside of the keyboard with a can of compressed air or a cold hair dryer.

Remember to take a photo of the keyboard before disassembling it.

Rinse the keys with plain water, soapy water, or antiseptic. Alternative method: fold all the buttons into a clean sock, tie it up, soak in detergent, and then hold it under running water.

Dry the keys. If you don't feel like waiting for the moisture to evaporate, use a hairdryer.

Secure the large keys first, then all the others. This is where the photo you took before cleaning will come in very handy.

Method 2. Complete disassembly

Take a photo of the keyboard, and then turn it over and unscrew the screws with a screwdriver. Open the device and place both halves on a table with the inside facing up.

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The lower part can be set aside as there is no need to clean it.

Gently press the keys out. Note the space and Shift, which can be additionally secured with metal pins. Do not remove the Enter key: usually it has a very complex mount, so it will be very difficult to put it back.

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Place all keys in a sink and rinse under running water or leave in a disinfectant solution for a while. If the plastic is heavily stained, brush over it with a soft toothbrush. Then dry the keys.

Rinse the top of the keyboard under running water, using a toothbrush to remove dirt, especially at the corners and joints. Then let it dry.

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Fasten the keys in their original position. If you hear a click when pressed, everything is in order: the button is firmly attached.

Connect the top and bottom of the keyboard, tighten the screws.

Connect your device to and make sure all keys work.

Method 3. Cleaning after liquid spills

If you spill water, hot coffee, or any other beverage on the keyboard, turn it over and shake it well. Wipe with a dry cloth.

Leave it overnight to dry the keyboard. If the next day some of the keys stick or do not work, use the first or second cleaning method.

If you poured a drink on the keyboard, and it stopped working, and you don't want to buy a new one at all or you can't - do not worry, it is not so difficult to clean it. You just need patience and about two hours of your time. If your keyboard has dried up and started working on its own - don't worry, you still need to clean it, otherwise the problem will come back to you later, but cleaning will no longer help. Well, if you still haven't spilled anything - don't despair, it can happen to anyone! My laptop, for example, stood very high and far in relation to the drink. However, you never know in advance what trajectory the spilled tea will have.

First of all, it should be noted that liquids are a danger to the entire system. Even if everything works now, then in a few months your laptop may go to the landfill. In the event of an incident, it is advisable to immediately de-energize the laptop by removing the charger and the battery (yes, the liquid will not wait for the programs to finish). Then turn it over with the flooded side down just as quickly and let the liquid drain. Then completely unwind and assess the damage. Do not connect the power supply if there is liquid or its remnants in the form of sweet syrup inside. In the case of pure (distilled?) Water, you need to wait a day for all the liquid to evaporate. In the case of tea / coffee and other drinks, the insides must be cleaned, otherwise there will be a short circuit, oxidation on the board, and this will easily kill your laptop. In this article, I will not describe how to flush the motherboard. We will proceed from the fact that you, like me, spun the laptop and found that you were wildly lucky, tk. flooded only the keyboard.

My injured Eee PC 901 acts as a test sample. Naturally, you may have some differences, but in general the procedure is identical on most models. Forgive me for the quality of the photo, I shot it with what was at hand. Well, I hope everyone understands that they are following my advice at their own peril and risk;)

We remove the keyboard. For me, it is fixed with three latches on top, which you need to gently press one by one, while pulling the keyboard up. As soon as you free the keyboard, do not rush to pull it out joyfully: you need to disconnect the ribbon cable. In the photo it can be seen at the bottom left.

No, at the very bottom - these are my legs accidentally hit the frame, and the train is right under the keyboard. The train cannot be pulled out just like that. It is secured with clips on the sides. First, carefully pull them up along the train. A small screwdriver is suitable for this (it will also come in handy later). Then the cable can be easily removed. I repeat: EASY! Caution: Do not scratch the tracks on the motherboard with a screwdriver.

So, we have a detached keyboard. We examine the space under it for something tasty. We are especially interested in the liquid or its characteristic traces, identified by the color of the original drink.

If there is at least some suspicion that the liquid could have penetrated further, then it is better to continue disassembling. You can find instructions for your laptop model on the net. If there are no traces of liquid under the keyboard, and you are so lazy to disassemble further that you are absolutely sure that only the keyboard has suffered, then we leave it on your conscience.

On the Internet, you can often find advice to rinse the keyboard in warm water. I would advise you to take this matter more seriously and rinse the entire laptop at once. But ... I won't. Let's all the same take a look inside to realize the ineffectiveness and danger of this method.

First you need to remove all the buttons. Each button consists of an upper platform and an elevator, a miniature structure under the platform that allows the button to move. I found the advice to first remove the platforms, prying them in a strictly defined place, and then remove the elevators. This method seemed dumb to me, because I was not sure if the button would unhook before the lift broke. In addition, I still did not understand where I should put the screwdriver in order to safely unhook the button. In the end, turning the keyboard over, I realized that at least in my model it is possible to unhook the buttons immediately with the elevators. This simplifies everything.

The photo shows (bad, but visible) that there are three "holes" for each button. In your case, there may be four of them. Well, if not at all, then you will first have to shoot separately the sites. On the one hand, the lift is fixed with a "hook", on the other - with two latches. We select the most unnecessary button on the keyboard (e?), And try to disconnect with a screwdriver first the latches, pressing down and to the side, then the hook. Broke? Nothing, it's not a pity, you have a lot of them!

The detachable buttons can be neatly folded in the same order for easier assembly later. Attention! Small children love these buttons very much, keep them apart.

It is also advisable to take a photo or scan / image it in advance.

After all buttons are removed, remove the upper rubber pad.

This thing acts as springs, and usually does not perform the role of contacts (unlike remote controls, if someone disassembled it). But for hygienic reasons, washing it is still worth it.

Under it we see the following picture.

At first glance, it may seem scary, but when we analyze everything in layers, it will be clearer.

The heart of the keyboard is three layers of foils with tracks and contacts. The upper and lower ones are formed by folding the whole film in half, with tracks and contacts inward.

The middle layer is insulating, has no tracks, but has holes through which, when the buttons are pressed, the contacts of the upper and lower layers come into contact.

These three layers constitute the problem, because the liquid readily flows there, carrying sugar and other substances dissolved in it. The water will dry out, but the pollution will remain. Rinsing an unassembled keyboard in water will be difficult, if not impossible. Therefore, the layers need to be separated. This is the hardest part.

The film layers are glued together. I can see blue glue: a solid strip along the edge, and dots all over the area.

I easily managed to separate one layer, starting from the edge. Then, pulling the top layer up over the edge and holding the bottom one at the base of the keyboard, I peeled it off completely. The second did not want to give in. It turned out to "tear" the edge with a screwdriver through a hole in the film. Further - as with the first. If the layer comes off badly, or does not come off at all, you can try to heat it up with a hairdryer. Caution: Do not tear the tracks. And be careful with a hairdryer too. Keep the hair dryer at a sufficient distance, and if such a function is provided, adjust the temperature so that the air does not burn your hands. Otherwise, you can swim something.

The bottom layer is glued to the base of the keyboard along with the ribbon cable, so I didn't separate it so as not to damage the connection. But this is generally not necessary.

Now each layer needs to be carefully cleaned, paying special attention to the contacts, tracks and the spaces between tracks. Then we dry everything. A hairdryer will again help us speed up the process. Make sure everything is really dry and clean. You will hardly want to disassemble it a second time.

Added:
Here I want to quote some very helpful user comments on what to wash. I washed with water, because at that time I could not find any sane explanation. It helped me, but for how long - I don't know.

I highly recommend not using water to rinse the keyboard contacts.
Otherwise, subsequent oxidation of these contacts is possible, and, as a result, everything will have to be changed. It is better to do this with alcohol, and at least 96% is highly desirable. And the sooner after the "flooding" - the better. The essence of alcohol is that it collects water that is in the pores and evaporates quickly. It is clear that in this case the amount of alcohol should be much higher than the water in the solution. Otherwise, there will be no moisture collection effect. Those. vodka 40% will not work. Odeclone "Triple" 75% better, but not good.
Tap water is not so clean - there are a lot of all kinds of impurities and salts, which act as a catalyst for corrosion and begin to destroy the metal. In the atmospheric air, there are much less such salts, therefore, corrosion takes much longer to occur.

Regarding alcohol, everything is not entirely unambiguous. Alcohol and alcohol are different, and not everyone can be suitable for these purposes. It is better to use traditional ethyl alcohol (ethanol). Isopropyl alcohol sometimes erased contacts and letters on keyboards for people. And if you really rinse with water, then be sure to distilled. From my point of view, this is the safest option. Of course, all this does not apply to the rubber gasket and other non-conductive elements. They can also be washed under the tap. Overall, the issue is still not clear enough and it would be nice to hear the opinion of a competent person.

It is also worth inspecting the tracks for damage. It could have happened if a lot of time has passed since the moment of flooding, as well as with careless separation of layers. According to the testimony of victims, the tracks can oxidize and crumble, crack or flake off. The tracks can be restored with conductive varnish. They say that this is sold for inexpensively in car dealerships, designed to restore the threads of heating the rear window. They need to carefully draw the damaged parts of the tracks. At the same time, make sure that thin threads of varnish do not form a closure between the tracks.

Finished cleaning and repairs - put everything in the reverse order. We carefully and evenly connect the layers of the film, put an elastic band on top, and fix everything with corner buttons so that nothing slips out.

The button is put like this: we catch the hook, gently press on the platform from the side of the latches, click - and you're done! To make sure everything is done correctly, we put the keyboard in place, fixing the cable, turn on the laptop and check the operation of the buttons. Everything works, nothing sinks? Turn off the power again, remove the keyboard and install the rest of the buttons in no particular order. A total of about 80-100 pieces. Not as many as it might seem :) Before reinstalling the keyboard, carefully examine the buttons and make sure they are all level. My Enter got up crookedly, and some other buttons are dancing (which, in general, is not critical). But you don't want to turn off the laptop. That's how we live.

Any technique requires maintenance, which will extend its service life. And the owner of a laptop may be faced with the question of how to clean a laptop keyboard at home, since it is this part of the device that usually gets dirty quickly. The cleaning process is quite simple if you have the right tools and accessories at hand.

Cleaning options and tools needed

Active operation of a laptop computer provokes the appearance of various contaminants on its surface. The keyboard is especially prone to suffering, as dust, pet hair, crumbs and other dirt collect between the buttons. In some cases, an urgent solution to the issue of how to clean the laptop keyboard from spilled liquid, especially if the drink was sweet, may be required. It is necessary to act on the basis of the degree and complexity of the contamination.

Cleaning your laptop keyboard: options

1. Simple or superficial cleaning. This option is acceptable with minimal contamination of the keys and to eliminate dust, crumbs between the keyboard buttons. Such cleansing can be carried out with the help of improvised means.
2. Thorough, "deep" cleaning of the keyboard inside and out. It should be done at least once every 12 months. In addition, this particular cleaning option is necessary if you need to reanimate a keyboard flooded with any liquid (even water). It will not work without analyzing the technique, and in some cases it is necessary to use special means for cleansing.

Regardless of the option chosen for how to clean the laptop keyboard, you need to adhere to certain rules and tips so that the equipment does not suffer.

• Before any manipulations, the equipment must be disconnected from the network. The laptop must be turned off, remove the battery if possible. If the keyboard works via USB, then it is enough to disconnect it from the main device.
• To eliminate any contamination, do not use alcohol as the main cleaning agent. The only exception is an aqueous solution of isopropyl alcohol (1: 1). Otherwise, the symbolism will be erased from the surfaces of the buttons, and the internal contacts may suffer. Acetone and products based on it are also not worth using.
• It is important to wait until the keyboard is completely dry before turning on the device. And during the cleaning period, you should monitor the amount of moisture that gets on the keyboard - it should be at a minimum.
• Any manipulation with the keyboard must be extremely careful, without sudden movements. If the key fasteners or internal contacts are damaged, the device will become unusable.
• In addition to an aqueous solution of isopropyl alcohol, it is permissible to use a soap solution, wet wipes, special cleaning agents for plastic and keyboard. Avoiding exposure to any moisture, you can use a can of compressed air, a vacuum cleaner, a hairdryer, a regular rubber enema, or a pear-shaped perfume spray. With the help of such devices it will be possible to “blow out” all the dust from the keyboard.
• Other improvised means that help solve the problem of how to clean a laptop keyboard at home are:

1. clean cuts of non-flowing fabrics;
2. cotton pads, cotton-tipped sticks or toothpicks with a cotton swab attached to them;
3. scalpel or knife with a very thin blade; before use, it is necessary to wrap the blade of the selected tool with a piece of soft cloth;
4. brushes for painting or painting with long and hard bristles;
5. brushes, including old toothbrushes.

Faced with the need to thoroughly tidy up a laptop after filling its keyboard with any liquid, you additionally need to take into account the following nuances:

1. as soon as liquid gets on the surface of the buttons, the equipment must be turned off quickly; you should also remove the battery;
2. then it is necessary to turn the device over and shake it well so that all the liquid pours out from the inside; you should act carefully so that drops do not hit the screen;
3. then you need to let the technique dry in an open, upside-down state for several hours; to be sure, you can try to dry it additionally with a hairdryer or put pieces of cotton pads, rice groats between the keys so that the moisture is quickly absorbed;
4. if the amount of liquid was small, only the appearance of the buttons suffered, there is no need to disassemble the equipment with your own hands; in the situation of an abundant flood of some sweet drink, the keyboard will have to be cleaned in a "deep" way.

If you do not want to use the tools at hand, in specialized stores you can buy either sets of wipes, liquid or gel for the keyboard and a brush, or buy a separate cleaning agent. It is necessary to use synthetic substances based on the instructions.

How to clean dirt from a laptop keyboard: options for purchased products

1. Gel "Magic Cleaner".
2. Velcro (liquid rag) "Bright Cleaner".
3. Universal wipes for cleansing the "Difender" technique;
4. Sprays "Cramolin";
5. Cleaning agent "Probiotic".

Easy and quick keyboard cleaning

The solution to the problem of how to clean the keyboard on a portable device, if it does not have significant contamination, is quite simple. In some cases, you can get by by simply brushing off external dust from the buttons or by gently erasing a dark plaque with a toothpick or a knife. However, when this piece of equipment has not been cleaned for a long period of time, you will have to tinker a little and get to “hard-to-reach” places, ridding them of dirt, crumbs and dust.

How to clean the keyboard on a laptop: easy and quick ways

1. Turn the turned off and open laptop over, gently knock on the bottom cover and shake the device so that crumbs and other similar particles fall out of the keyboard. Or use a sticky napkin, a special gel that "pulls out" dry dirt.
2. To clean the surface of the keyboard on a laptop from sticky and greasy marks, you can wipe its surface with either special wet wipes or a sponge slightly moistened with soapy water. It is permissible to dilute in water not only ordinary shavings from soap, but also a detergent for washing dishes (literally a couple of drops), which fights better with greasy stains.
3. When surface contamination is sufficiently persistent, you need to use an aqueous solution of isopropyl alcohol, in which either a corner of a rag or a cotton swab is moistened.
4. To clean the sticky dirt between the buttons, you can use any convenient device: a brush, a brush, a scalpel with a cloth, a cotton swab, or a toothpick with cotton wool. The same alcohol solution or a store-bought product is used as a cleaning agent.
5. To blow off dirt, use a cold blower or other similar device.
6. When using a compressed air cylinder, hold it at a slight angle to the keyboard surface. At the same time, try to avoid inhalation of vapors, which can act as a toxic substance on the body. After using such a tool, it is recommended to ventilate the room well.
7. When deciding to "pull out" the dirt, you need to arm yourself with a vacuum cleaner. However, you need to act very carefully and carefully so as not to pull out the keyboard buttons.

The combined use of these methods will help to effectively clean an important part of the laptop. If the keyboard is pretty dirty, you will have to apply a thorough cleaning option.

The process of "deep" cleaning the laptop keyboard

When figuring out how to clean the keyboard on a laptop completely and thoroughly, you need to stock up not only with the necessary tools, but also patience, as well as time. The main difficulty lies in the self-disassembly of this part of the technique. Before you detach the keyboard or simply remove the keys, it will be superfluous to take a picture of it assembled. This will help to easily return all buttons to their rightful places after the cleaning process.

The technique for parsing the device keyboard varies from laptop to laptop. A number of models suggest the ability to remove this part. If this is not possible, then only the upper plastic nozzles are detached.

How to disassemble the keyboard: basic methods

• Armed with a flat, thin screwdriver, scalpel or small knife, gently pick up the bottom edge of the button. Try to consider how the fasteners are made. Then press lightly (until it clicks) on the "antennae" of the mount, pulling the key up. You need to act without sudden movements, so as not to break the "antennae". It is not recommended to remove the spacebar, Enter, Tab and Shift keys on laptops - fixing them after cleaning can be problematic.
• If such a part of the device is removable, fixed at the top with jumpers, then they must be carefully snapped off one by one, gradually raising the field with the keys. When all the "fasteners" are removed, you do not need to pull the keyboard towards yourself, because of such a movement, the main cable connected to the motherboard may break. When the keyboard is removed, the buttons are removed in the manner described earlier.
• In a situation of internal fastening, the laptop must be folded, turned over, and the bottom cover removed. After that, determine in what places and how many screws the part is fixed to the device. Carefully unscrew such fasteners and remove the keyboard, again taking care not to damage the ribbon cable and internal contacts. Then remove the buttons.

Returning all keys after clearing is not difficult. It is enough to fix each button in its place and press lightly until a couple of characteristic clicks.

How to properly clean the disassembled keyboard of the device: instructions

1. The removed plastic keys must be thoroughly wiped with damp wipes, alcohol solution or other means for cleaning. Then leave on paper or newspaper, "bottoms" up, until completely dry.
2. Gently brush off all dust and dry dirt from the disassembled keyboard with a soft thin brush. Or use a can of compressed air, a perfume sprayer with a pear-shaped nozzle, being careful not to blow away the rubber nozzles on the cells from the buttons.
3. Then wipe the laptop part with wet wipes or cotton swabs dipped in the selected cleaning agent. The use of paper towels or analog utensils is not recommended. There is a risk that small pieces of paper will remain, due to which, when turned on, the contacts of the device may close.
4. Finally, leave the laptop part to dry completely, then secure the keys.

Dry cleaning laptop keyboard (video example)

To visually see how the process of removing the buttons from the keyboard is going on, as well as to observe the dry option for cleaning the part from dust, you should familiarize yourself with the video below.

Not wanting to take risks and disassemble the laptop on your own, but in an effort to save money without contacting a service center, it is worth at least once every couple of weeks to clean the keyboard from external dirt and dust. And use the device as carefully as possible, avoiding situations when sweet liquid can get on the surface of the equipment.

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