Give your computer keyboard the treatment it needs - it'll look better and will be less likely to make you ill!

NOTE: This guide is not suitable for laptop or membrane keyboards.
 

Supplies you'll need:

• Cotton Buds
• Can of compressed air (if you can't remove the keys)
• Lint-free cloth
• Flat-tip screwdriver
• Bactericidal cleaner
• (2) wet cloths
   

Step 1: Remove and clean the keys

• Shutdown your computer, unplug it from the mains and unplug your keyboard.
• Hold it upside down and shake to remove any loose debris.
• Place it on a flat surface and pick up your screwdriver.
• Make a note of where each key is on the keyboard.
• Place the screwdriver in the gap between the key you want to remove and the one below it and gently bend the handle backwards, lifting up the key. With gentle pressure it will pop out.
• Repeat for all keys, although you may wish to avoid the larger keys - such as the space bar and Return key - as these can be difficult to put back on.
• Make a solution with your bactericidal cleaner and water and place all keys inside the solution to soak for a few minutes. After this time remove and wipe down. Use a cotton bud to clean inside the keys.

Step 2: Clean the keyboard itself

• Now you're left with a keyboard minus the keys. It's likely to be very dirty! Use your first wet cloth to remove all the debris and bits of dirt.
• Shake this into the bin and wash immediately.
• Pour some bactericidal cleaner on your second cloth and wipe the keyboard all over, including between the key positions.
• Use cotton buds to clean inside the key recesses. Rinse the cloth and wipe down the keyboard to remove any traces of the cleaner.

Step 3: Replace the keys

• Remove the keys from the solution and leave to dry, along with the keyboard.
• Once both are completely dry, place back into their appropriate recess and push down until they snap into place.
• Finally wipe the entire keyboard down with the lint-free cloth.

Congratulations - your keyboard is now ready to use!
 

Limited time?

If you either don't have time to wait for the keys to dry or don't own a flat head screwdriver you can still give your keyboard a good clean.

• Shut down your computer, unplug at the wall and unplug your keyboard.
• Shake the keyboard upside down to remove loose debris.
• Place the keyboard on a flat surface and, using the compressed air, spray between the keys at all angles to loosen dirt. You can do this upside down if it proves to be more effective.
• Keep doing this until the dirt stops falling out.
• Pour some bactericidal cleaner on the cotton bud and clean the sides of all the keys and as far down into the gaps as you can.
• Use a wet cloth with bactericidal cleaner to wipe down the rest of the keyboard.