How to Clean a Laptop Keyboard

If a laptop keyboard isn't cleaned regularly, it will get dirty over time due to oils from fingers building up on the keys, along with crumbs, dust, and pet hair accumulating in the gaps. Don't worry if you're concerned about cleaning your laptop keyboard – it's easy to do yourself. Some methods even help minimize damage if you happen to spill a drink on your keyboard.

Turn off and unplug your laptop before cleaning. Even though you won't directly expose the laptop to water, it's important to power it down completely to prevent any damage in case a little water seeps inside. Go to the Power Options menu to shut it down, then unplug the charger.

• Also, turning off the laptop protects you from electric shock and prevents you from accidentally sending a spam email to your boss!

Flip the laptop upside down, tap or shake it gently. Doing this will help dislodge large dust particles, debris, and other objects stuck between the keys. Removing the bigger dirt particles first will make the cleaning process much easier.

• It’s a good idea to place a towel on the floor before shaking the laptop to make cleaning up the fallen dust easier.

Blow compressed air into the keyboard gaps to clean out the dust. Before using, make sure the nozzle is connected to the air canister. Tilt the keyboard sideways and spray short bursts of air from one side to the other. The air pressure will clear out any debris lodged between and under the keys.

• You can purchase an air canister at home goods or office supply stores.
• Never spray compressed air when the canister is upside down as this could cause the propellant to enter the keyboard and damage its internal components.

Wipe the keyboard with a damp microfiber cloth. Microfiber is excellent for trapping dust, so using it to wipe your keyboard will help remove a lot of the dirt buildup. If necessary, you can moisten the cloth with a bit of water, but make sure to wring it out well and only wipe the surface of the keys to prevent any water from seeping into the laptop.

• If you don’t have microfiber cloth, you can use lint-free cloth as a substitute.

Remove stubborn dirt with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Alcohol evaporates quickly, making it safer for the laptop than water. Additionally, alcohol is great for removing oil buildup from fingers on the keys. Always dip the cotton swab in alcohol before cleaning and never pour alcohol directly onto the keyboard.

• To clean the keyboard gaps, dip the cotton swab in alcohol and then wipe along the edges of the keys.

Kill bacteria by wiping the keyboard with disinfecting wipes. If you’re concerned about germs, especially if you have a cold or share the laptop with others, you can use disinfecting wipes to clean the keyboard surface. However, avoid wipes with bleach, as they can damage the protective layer on the keys.

• Don’t use disinfectant sprays directly on the laptop because they are too wet.

Search online for your laptop model to see if you can remove the keys. Some laptop models allow you to remove the keys, which makes it possible to clean the surface beneath the keyboard. However, other models have keys that are permanently attached. It's a good idea to search for information online to find out whether your laptop keys can be removed and to check for removal instructions.

Only remove the keys when it’s absolutely necessary to clean underneath. Even if the keys are removable, they are often attached to the laptop with plastic clips that can easily break. To avoid damaging the laptop, it’s best to only remove the keys when the keyboard is excessively dirty.

• Consider removing the keys only if something sticky has spilled onto the keyboard or if large dust particles are stuck underneath that can't be removed by shaking or using compressed air.

Take a photo of the keyboard before removing the keys. This will help you remember the placement of the keys when you put them back. While it's easy to remember the order of numbers and letters, special keys and function keys can easily be mixed up.

Use a small, flat tool to pry up the keys. Gently slide the tool under the keys and carefully lift them. The keys should pop off easily, but if they don't, do not force them as this could permanently damage the keyboard.

• Remember to place the keys in a shallow bowl or other container to avoid losing them.
• You can purchase a toolkit with a small plastic or metal tool that’s perfect for removing laptop keys. If you don’t have the proper tools, you can use a flathead screwdriver, a butter knife, or even your fingernail to pry them up.

Wipe beneath the keys using microfiber cloth or cotton swabs soaked in alcohol. Once the keys are removed, the internal components of the laptop will be more exposed, so it is important not to use any liquids for cleaning. If you need to remove stuck dust, dip a cotton swab in a small amount of alcohol, then carefully clean and wipe the surface.

Reinstall the keys back into their original positions. Place the keys back in their correct spots, ensuring that the side clips are properly aligned. Start with the bottom edge and gently press until the keys slide into place.

• If you're unable to press the keys back into place, refer to the user manual for any special instructions regarding keyboard removal and installation.

Turn off the laptop and immediately remove the battery. Quickly disconnect the charger and press the power button until the laptop shuts down completely. Liquid intrusion into the internal components can permanently damage them. Prompt action will help minimize potential damage.

• If the laptop starts emitting smoke, steam, bubbles, or expands, do not touch it. It could cause severe burns or electrocution.
• Even after drying the laptop, residues from sugary, acidic, or alcoholic beverages may remain and affect the keyboard's functionality in the future.

Turn the laptop upside down on a towel. Open the laptop as wide as possible and place it upside down on a towel or any absorbent material. Gravity will help pull the liquid away from the motherboard and internal components when the laptop is inverted.

Quickly soak up as much liquid as possible. If you have microfiber or lint-free cloths on hand, use them to dry the laptop. However, since time is of the essence, if you don’t have either of these cloth types, use whatever is nearby, whether it’s a dish towel, paper towel, or even an old T-shirt. Try to wipe off as much liquid as you can from the laptop’s surface.

• Regular towels and paper towels tend to leave behind fibers, which can get stuck inside the laptop. This is why it’s better to use lint-free and microfiber cloths.

Invert the laptop and let it dry for 1-2 days. You can't speed up this process. Even if the laptop seems dry on the outside, liquid may still be trapped inside. For safety, allow the keyboard to dry for at least 24 hours before powering the device back on.

• Do not use a hairdryer to dry the keyboard as it will blow dust into the liquid that’s still inside. Any remaining dust can impair the laptop’s performance.

Take the laptop to a professional repair shop if you spill soda on the keyboard. If you spill just a small amount of water, it's fine, but if you spill a large amount of soda and your laptop is high-end, it’s best to take it to a professional repair shop. They can disassemble and clean the laptop. The cleaning fee could exceed 1,000,000 VND, but it’s worth it if you’ve invested a lot in your laptop.

• If you're familiar with electronics, you can disassemble and clean the laptop yourself, though some laptops can only be opened with special tools that you may not have.

Reinstall the battery and power on the laptop once it's completely dry. This is the moment of truth. If the laptop doesn’t work, leave it to dry for another 24 hours. If the system powers on but the keyboard doesn’t function, you may need to replace the keyboard or use an external one.

• You can use the adhesive side of a sticky note to press between the keys and remove dust and debris.

• If you are cleaning the keyboard with water, be sure to use a damp cloth or apply water to a cleaning tool, never pour water directly onto the keyboard.
• Avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials to clean the laptop, as this could remove the protective layer that keeps the characters on the keyboard from fading.
• Stay safe! If you spill liquid on the laptop and notice any signs of burning, smell something burning, or feel heat coming from the device, you should stay away from it.