Keyboard Cleaning

Computer keyboards have more germs than your toilet. Eww! Toilet cleaning is a normal part of most people’s daily or weekly chores, but how often do you clean your computer keyboard. Not all that often, I’ll bet.

A test recent study tested 25 hospital computer keyboards for bacteria, then tried to remove the bacteria using a range of disinfectants. Not a great surprise to learn that there was a lot of hard-to-pronounce bacteria and that the cleaning, well, cleaned.

A more holistic study suggests that people who work on computers a lot in the private and public sectors also have keyboards infested with germs. Despite trying all sorts of cleaning products, researches decided that packet cleaning wipes are the best option – they keep the germs away for about twice as long as kitchen towel squirted with disinfectant. Note: never spray your keyboard with cleaner.

Although the study was originally limited to hospital keyboards, it’s reasonable to assume that in the peak of flu and cold season wiping your keyboard down at the end or beginning of each day (before you turn the computer on) would be wise.

Aside from germs, dust, hair, and crumbs can make their way into your keyboard and stop it from working properly – have you had a key ‘not work’, or another that sticks? Wiping down your keyboard before you use it will keep the dust at bay, but to keep the keyboard in optimum condition you should detail it once in a while as well.

To clean your keyboard, you must do it while the computer is off, and preferably, if you have a desktop, with the USB connection between the computer and keyboard removed.

A good start is to turn your keyboard upside down and give it a shake, although you might find compressed air in a can, with its handy little nozzle a little more useful. Blast the dust and crumbs away with the nozzle gently aimed between the keys. A hoover on low will also do the job, but do be aware that keys have been known to be sucked off.

A few weeks ago, celebrating while working, I managed to spill some bubbly into my keyboard. Panic! Spills in a keyboard can ruin it quickly. No matter what the substance, you need to get it out of there ASAP.

Emergency Spill Procedure

Turn the keyboard over immediately, so the keys are facing down and the spill doesn’t head in the direction of the circuits.

Switch off the pc and take the USB out – cutting the connection between keyboard and pc.

Wipe away as mych of the spill as possible while the keyboard is still upside-down.

Let your keyboard dry overnight, still upside-down.

If it’s still sticky after that, try removing the keys and gently cleaning them – again, don’t use a spray. And here’s the crazy final suggestion: if all else fails, put it in the dishwasher… I know, it sounds insane, but there have keyboards that have gone through dishwashers and survived to tell the tale. It really is a last resort though, so don’t do it by default.

Best idea is to wipe your keyboard down once a day to avoid too much dust and germs getting in the keys, and to keep drinks outside of spilling distance.