High quality mechanical keyboards can last for decades, and Das Keyboard products are no exception. There is one catch: dust and grime will overtake a keyboard long before its switches or electronics begin to fail. Cleaning, the most important keyboard maintenance task, will keep contaminants in check. Spills are another matter entirely, so they’ll get their own section.
The keycaps above aren’t from the same keyboard, but they illustrate the difference that this guide can make nonetheless. Without further ado, let’s look at three keyboard cleaning tiers.
You should clean your keyboard lightly on a regular basis. Preventing grime accumulation is important, and it is even more critical if you eat next to your keyboard. Over time, dust and food will partially fuse to the painted metal plate that supports each keyswitch. That’s both nasty and inconvenient, as the particles must be brushed away once attached.
If you believe your Mac notebook was affected by this issue, and you paid to have your keyboard repaired, you can contact Apple about a refund. The program covers eligible MacBook, MacBook Air, and MacBook Pro models for 4 years after the first retail sale of the unit. Keyboard free download - Arabic Keyboard, Bulgarian Phonetic Keyboard Layout, PC 73 Virtual Piano Keyboard, and many more programs.
1. Unplug your keyboard.
2. Use a vacuum to remove dust from its plate. Gently pressing the vacuum’s attachment tube down on the keycaps, ultimately actuating each key on the keyboard, will give the best results. Small handheld vacuums without rotating brushes work well.
3. Wipe the entire keyboard down with a slightly damp microfiber cloth.
4. Dry it with another cloth. Do not use a paper towel, as paper towels will shed particles on the keyboard and create tiny scratches in its surface.
Avoid canned air at all costs when cleaning keyboards, as two negative side effects are possible. First, canned air is quite cold when it is released. That can cause condensation to build on scratches or worn metal surfaces, which could lead to corrosion or fused grime. Canned air can also blow dust directly into a keyboard’s switches, resulting in an unpleasant gritty feeling. Vacuum cleaners overcome those issues by pulling room temperature air, and therefore dust, away from the switches.
Some grime is stubborn, binding to the plate in spite of regular vacuum treatments and wipe downs. In addition, a layer of finger oils will gradually build up on your keyboard’s keycaps. Thankfully, there are tried and true methods that resolve those issues.
1. Unplug your keyboard.
2. Use a keycap puller to remove the keycaps from your keyboard. Most big keys are stabilized with wires (space, enter, shift, etc.), which makes them more difficult to remove. If you aren’t comfortable with removing and reseating them, it’s best to wipe them clean with a slightly damp microfiber cloth.
3. Clean the keycaps with denture tablets or dish soap.
Place the keycaps in a container, cover the keycaps with warm water, and place two tablets in the bath. Soak for at least 6 hours, rinse thoroughly, and lay the keycaps out stem up to air dry. It will take some time for the water to evaporate from the keycaps’ plus (+) shaped recesses. Dish soap is the second best choice, as it is difficult to rinse away.
Denture tablets are an ideal keycap cleaner. They remove oils, sterilize, and leave little to no residue.
4. While the keycaps soak, use a small stiff-bristle brush (or a dry Q-tip, which might deposit a few bits of undesirable fuzz) to loosen particulate matter that has adhered to the plate. Avoid getting the brush bristles near switch stems. The bristles could push dust deep into a switch, preventing vacuum removal.
5. Vacuum the plate thoroughly with a handheld roller-less model or the attachment tube of a full size machine. If there is loose debris that the vacuum won’t pick up, turn the keyboard upside down and let it fall off.
6. If there is a goo covered spot on the plate, use a slightly damp cloth or a Q-tip to wipe the mess up. Other small cleaning tools are viable as well. Avoid moistening the keyboard switches if possible.
7. Place the keyboard face down while the keycaps dry to prevent dust buildup.
8. Replace all keycaps.
9. Wipe the case down with a slightly damp microfiber cloth.
10. Dry it with another cloth, not paper towels. Paper towels leave particles and scratches behind.
Perhaps you chose to purchase a used keyboard. Let’s say that the previous owner used it in a dank basement and liberally sprinkled Cheetos between the keys. Maybe you’re that previous owner. We aren’t here to judge, especially if you’re looking to get things cleaned up. This guide is for keyboards that are filthy internally and externally. Following it will void your warranty, assuming that it is still active.
Follow steps 1 and 2 in the Deferred Cleaning guide, then continue with the following:
1. Consider using an ultrasonic cleaner to remove grime from the keycaps. They also work great for other household tasks like jewelry and toy cleaning. If you aren’t interested, just use the keycap soaking method described in step 3 of the Deferred Cleaning guide.
Add half your keycaps to the cleaner, cover them with water, plop two denture tablets in, and run the machine for 6 – 10 minutes. If your machine has additional instructions, like a minimum fill line, be sure to follow them. Stir at 2 minute intervals to ensure that each keycap is exposed to the ultrasonic transducers.
Ultrasonic cleaners work by vibrating water at high frequencies, which results in supercavitation that blasts grime away without harming substrates.
You can purchase ultrasonic cleaners from many stores, but eBay tends to have the best prices. Cleaners with at least 120 watts of ultrasonic power and a minimal volume (around 3 liters) perform well. Many have heating elements that can be used to warm up water. Some unscrupulous sellers advertise the combined heating and ultrasonic power as the total power. As always, purchase carefully. You should expect to spend $60 to $90 US for a passable household ultrasonic cleaner.
2. When the keycaps are finished, lay them out to dry with the plus shaped stem facing up. It may take some time for remaining water to evaporate completely.
3. Carefully open the keyboard case. Be sure to place its screws in a container. If they are different sizes, organizing them will help during the reassembly process. If there are cables that need to be detached, carefully do so. Take photos using your cell phone if you have trouble remembering what goes where.
4. Once the keyboard is disassembled, set the PCB and plate aside. If the dirt and grime are somewhat mild, you can clean the case halves by vacuuming the inside with a brushed attachment. Follow that up with a damp cloth.
5. If the mess is severe (and there are no electronics attached to the case whatsoever) you can scrub the case halves with a medium-stiff bristle brush in a dish soap solution. Rinse thoroughly and dry both halves with a cloth, then allow water to evaporate from areas that cannot be accessed (like screw holes).
6. Use a small stiff-bristle brush to loosen particulate matter that has adhered to the plate. Avoid getting the brush bristles near switch stems. The bristles could push dust deep into a switch, preventing vacuum removal.
7. If there is a goo covered spot on the plate, use a slightly damp cloth or a Q-tip to wipe the mess up. Other small cleaning tools are viable as well. Avoid moistening the keyboard switches if possible.
8. Place the clean plate and PCB face down to prevent dust buildup while the other components dry.
9. When everything is dry, reseat all stabilized keys that are adjacent to the edge of the case. Space bar, keypad plus, and keypad enter are examples. You can lubricate the stabilizers if they rattle bothers you.
10. Assemble the keyboard.
11. Replace its keycaps.
Once you deep clean your keyboard, it should look professional and work like a charm.
Spills are a mechanical keyboard’s worst enemy. Water isn’t particularly risky, assuming you unplug your keyboard quickly and let it dry for a good long while, but flavored drinks (particularly sugary ones) will mess things up in a serious way. Do not flip or tilt your keyboard when a spill occurs. In addition, do not test the keyboard on a computer that you care about once the spill has dried. It could damage the USB port or spam key presses and lock the system up.
1. If the liquid didn’t get into the switches or fry anything important, you can continue to use the keyboard after a Deferred Cleaning or Advanced Cleaning.
2. You can buy a new keyboard.
3. If you are familiar with soldering, it is possible to remove all of a keyboard’s switches. At that point, you could disassemble / clean each switch and keyboard component. You could also replace switches affected by the spill. The process is time consuming and labor intensive, so it isn’t recommended. It will also void your warranty, if applicable.
You’ve learned how to maintain mechanical keyboards. Have you considered picking one up? The Das Keyboard website offers high quality options for everyone from office workers to gamers. If you happen to have a mechanical keyboard, consider sampling another model with different switches. Amazing variety is part of the fun!
Apple products are made with a variety of materials, and each material might have specific cleaning requirements. To get started, here are some tips that apply to all products:
Is it OK to use a disinfectant on my Apple product?
Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don't use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don't submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don't use on fabric or leather surfaces.
If liquid makes its way inside your Apple product, get help from an Apple Authorized Service Provider or Apple Retail Store as soon as possible. Liquid damage isn't covered under the Apple product warranty or AppleCare Protection Plans, but you may have rights under consumer law. If you plan to visit an Apple Retail store, make a reservation at the Genius Bar (available only in some countries and regions).
For more detailed instructions, select your Apple product:
Learn how to clean your Mac notebook computer.
MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air
When cleaning the outside of your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, first shut down your computer and unplug the power adapter. Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the computer's exterior. Avoid getting moisture in any openings. Do not spray liquid directly on the computer. Don't use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish.
To clean the screen on your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, first shut down the computer and unplug the power adapter. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with water only, then use it to clean the computer's screen.
MacBook Pro models from 2016 and later with Touch Bar and Touch ID: Clean the Touch Bar and Touch ID (power button) on these computers the same way you would clean the display. Shut down your Mac and unplug the power adapter. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with water only, then use it to clean the Touch Bar and Touch ID.
MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) and MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2010): The bottom case of these computers uses a soft nonslip material. Use a 3M Gray Microfiber or soft dye-free, lint-free cloth to clean the bottom case.
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Learn how to clean your Mac desktop computer.
Mac Pro, Mac mini, and iMac
If your iMac has nano-texture glass, learn how to clean the nano-texture glass on your Apple display.
First, shut down your Mac and unplug the power cord along with other connected devices. Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the computer's exterior. Avoid getting moisture in any openings. Don't spray liquid directly on the computer. Don't use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish.
To clean the display on your iMac, dampen the cloth that came with your iMac—or another clean, soft, lint-free cloth—with water only, and then wipe the screen.
Don't clean the screen of your iMac with a cleaner containing acetone. Use a cleaner intended for use with a screen or display. Never spray cleaner directly on the screen. It might drip inside the display and cause damage.
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If your Apple Pro Display XDR has nano-texture glass, learn how to clean the nano-texture glass on your Apple display. The following guidelines are for cleaning the Apple Thunderbolt Display and previous Apple displays.
First, disconnect the display from power, from its connection to a computer, and from any external devices. Then use the cloth that came with your display or another soft, dry cloth to wipe dust from the screen.
If additional cleaning of the display panel or case is required, use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean the display.
Don't clean the screen of your display with a cleaner containing acetone. Alex sawyer annie mac. Use a cleaner intended for use with a screen or display. Never spray cleaner directly on the screen. It might drip inside the display and cause damage.
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Apple wireless or USB keyboards, mice, and trackpads
First, power off the device. If your device uses removable batteries, remove the batteries. (If your device is wired, simply unplug it from your computer.)
Next, clean the outside of your device with a lint-free cloth lightly moistened with water. Don't get moisture in any openings or use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide.
If your Magic Mouse or Magic Mouse 2 isn’t tracking properly, there might be a hair or other debris on the sensor lens. Turn the mouse over and inspect the sensor window using a bright light. If you see debris, use compressed air to gently clean the sensor window.
iPhone case—silicone
To clean your silicone iPhone case, remove your iPhone from the case. Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth to wipe the outside and the inside of the iPhone case. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean the iPhone case.
iPhone case—leather
The leather iPhone case is made from natural leather. Its appearance will change as you use it. It might acquire a patina and might change color due to the oils from your skin and direct sunlight, further enhancing the natural look.
Cleaning the leather iPhone case might affect its color. If you choose to clean this case, first remove it from your iPhone. Use a clean cloth with warm water and mild hand soap to gently clean the iPhone case. You can also use a mild cleaner along with a dry clean cloth. Leather cleaners and conditioners can change the color of leather.
Keep your iPhone case away from prolonged intense sunlight, heat, and humidity. Exposure to water, oil, makeup, and dyed materials (such as denim) can stain tanned leathers. Cannot screenshot on mac.
iPhone case—clear
To clean your clear iPhone case, remove your iPhone from the case. Use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to wipe the outside and inside of the case. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean the case.
iPhone Smart Battery Case
To clean your Smart Battery Case, remove your iPhone from the case. Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth to wipe the outside of the case. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean the case.
When cleaning the internal Lightning connector, use a soft, dry, lint-free cloth, and don’t use liquids or cleaning products.
Learn how to clean your iPhone. Widsmob image viewer 2 10.
MagSafe Charger contains magnets that might attract debris during everyday use. Brush off any debris from the metal ring before cleaning this accessory.
Unplug your MagSafe Charger from power. Then use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth to wipe the silicone middle of the charging area. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean MagSafe Charger.
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Apple Pencil
To clean your Apple Pencil, use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. With the damp cloth, wipe your Apple Pencil from the tip end—but not the tip itself—toward the other end of your Apple Pencil. Don’t allow moisture to get inside the seam between the tip and the body of your Apple Pencil.
iPad Smart Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, Smart Cover, and Smart Case—polyurethane
To clean your polyurethane Smart Keyboard, Smart Keyboard Folio, Smart Cover, or Smart Case, first remove it from the iPad. Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Wipe the front and the inside with a soft, lint-free cloth.
Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean this product.
iPad Smart Cover and Smart Case—leather
The iPad leather cover/case is made from natural leather. Its appearance will change as you use it. It might acquire a patina and might change color due to the oils from your skin and direct sunlight, further enhancing the natural look.
Cleaning the leather might affect its color. If you choose to clean the leather, first remove the cover/case from your iPad. Use a clean cloth with warm water and mild hand soap to gently clean the leather. Wipe the outside and the inside with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove any dirt. You can also use a mild cleaner along with a dry clean cloth. Mild cleaners or conditioners might help remove some stains but might also change the color of the leather.
Keep your iPad leather cover/case away from prolonged intense sunlight, heat, and humidity. Exposure to water, oil, makeup, and dyed materials (such as denim) can stain tanned leathers.
iPad Silicone Case
To clean your iPad Silicone Case, remove your iPad from the case. Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth to wipe the outside and the inside of the case. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean the iPad case.
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Handle your iPad with care to maintain its appearance. If you're concerned about scratching or abrasion, you can use one of the many cases sold separately. To clean iPad, unplug all cables and turn off iPad (press and hold the Sleep/Wake button, and then slide the onscreen slider). Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPad. iPad has an oleophobic coating on the screen; simply wipe iPad's screen with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove oil left by your hands. The ability of this coating to repel oil will diminish over time with normal usage, and rubbing the screen with an abrasive material will further diminish its effect and might scratch your screen.
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iPod touch
To clean iPod touch, unplug all cables and turn off iPod touch (press and hold the Sleep/Wake button, and then slide the onscreen slider). Then use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPod touch.
iPod classic
To clean iPod classic, unplug all cables, turn iPod classic off, and slide the Hold switch to HOLD. Then use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPod classic.
iPod nano
To clean iPod nano, unplug all cables, turn iPod nano off, and slide the Hold switch to HOLD. Then use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPod nano.
On iPod nano 6th generation, which has no hold switch, you need to press only the Sleep/Wake button to turn the device off before cleaning.
iPod shuffle
To clean iPod shuffle, unplug all cables, turn it off (slide the switch to OFF), and use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPod shuffle.
iPod mini
To clean iPod mini, unplug all cables, turn iPod mini off, and slide the Hold switch to HOLD. Then use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPod mini.
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