At work, you spend the majority of your time at your desk. From sending emails and writing reports to receiving phone calls and setting up meetings. Since the pandemic, we have been doing the same but at home where we tend to also game, watch YouTube videos and eat at our desks.
So what’s the problem? The problem is our keyboards are extremely dirty and full of harmful bacteria.
Is Your Keyboard Really That Dirty?
The simple answer is yes. Many of us have heard about the frightening statistic that keyboards are dirtier than public toilet seats. And although that’s true, there's an even more grim detail about this statistic - the harmful bacteria on keyboards that could cause illnesses.
It turns out that your computer keyboard can literally put a slew of potentially hazardous microorganisms at your fingertips, including E. coli and staph. People becoming ill from dirty keyboards have become so common, a term has been created for it, called QWERTY Tummy.
What Do You Need to Clean A Keyboard?
Now that we have established that your keyboard really is that dirty, which cleaning products and materials should we use to clean it? People often make the mistake of simply using a damp cloth to wipe down their keyboard. Although that's better than nothing, you are not getting rid of the harmful bacteria by doing that.
There are 3 things you need to efficiently remove all bacteria without damaging the keyboard.
- Disinfectant Wipes
- Microfibre Cloth
- Compressed Air
How To Clean Your Keyboard: Simple 3-Step Process for PC & Laptop
Follow our simple 3-step process to clean your PC or laptop keyboard of all bacteria without damaging it.
Cleaning Your PC Keyboard
Refer to product packaging or information online whether the keys of your keyboard are removable. If the keys struggle to come loose, do not force the keys out, as this will damage your keyboard and you might not be able to put the keys back.
1. Remove The Keys & Dust
- Take a picture of your keyboard before you take out the keys so that you have a reference on how to put it back together.
- Remove the keys by repeatedly tapping on the keys from side to side or using a screwdriver or other tool to get in between the keys.
- Once all keys are removed, blow out all of the dust and foodstuffs from your keyboard and tap it upside down.
2. Clean The Keys and Base
- Use disinfectant wipes to clean each key individually
- Take another wipe and clean the creases on the base of your keyboard.
- Polish and dry the base with a microfibre cloth.
3. Put The Keys Back & Polish
- Use the photograph of your keyboard to put the keys back in the right place.
- Use a microfibre cloth and dry and polish the keys in place.
Cleaning Your Laptop Keyboard
As most keyboards have non-removable keys, it's essential to do your research to check if your laptop has removable keys. For this reason we are skipping the first step of cleaning a PC keyboard, and going straight into using compressed air.
1. Spray Between The Keys with Compressed Air
- Tilt your laptop to a 70 degree angle
- Gently spray the compressed air in between the keys to remove debris and foodstuffs
2. Clean Keys with Disinfectant Wipes
- Use disinfectant wipes to clean each key individually as well as the creases in between.
3. Polish
- Use a microfibre cloth to dry and polish all over.
The Bottom Line
Following the 3-step keyboard cleaning process will ensure that your keyboard gets cleaned to the extent where 99.9% of all bacteria is removed. Remember to repeat the 3-step process at least once a week, as bacteria quickly builds back up on the keyboard.
