How to Clean Your Computer Keyboard with Rubbing Alcohol

How to Effectively Clean Your Computer Keyboard with Rubbing Alcohol

Chances are, your computer keyboard is much dirtier than you might have imagined. As any dedicated PC gamer, programmer, or online entrepreneur will confirm, their computer is often one of the most contaminated items they own. The combination of sugary sodas, energy drinks, and countless snacks consumed during long hours in front of the screen contributes significantly to this mess. So, can you safely use rubbing alcohol to clean your keyboard? Yes, rubbing alcohol is an excellent choice for cleaning your keyboard. It is one of the safest cleaning agents for electronics, as it evaporates much more quickly than water, making it less likely to cause damage. You might assume that someone who spends as much time behind a computer screen as I do would maintain a pristine device and keyboard, but that is far from the reality. I, too, am guilty of snacking and sipping while working, and occasionally, I find myself staring at my keyboard in utter disgust. Fortunately, I have a simple trick for when I need to clean up that grime!

Whenever I spot oil, crumbs, or dirt accumulating on my keys and around my keyboard, I take it as a sign to reach for the rubbing alcohol and get cleaning. It’s affordable, mostly safe for electronics, and easily found in nearly any store. In this article, I will guide you through the process of cleaning your desktop or laptop keyboard using just a few supplies: cotton swabs, a toothbrush, some compressed air, and a trusty bottle of rubbing alcohol. Additionally, I will discuss some common safety precautions to consider when using rubbing alcohol on your devices, so be sure to take notes!

Is Rubbing Alcohol Safe for My Computer Keyboard?

Many tech enthusiasts advocate for rubbing alcohol because it is likely the safest cleaning solution for electronics. Devices are particularly sensitive to liquids. If you’ve ever accidentally spilled something on your keyboard, you’re well aware of the potential disaster that can ensue. Some tech experts prefer using a mixture of Dawn dish soap and warm water. I have tried this method, but I found that the soap sometimes leaves behind an unsightly residue. The one time I experimented with it, I ended up needing to wipe everything down with alcohol just to eliminate the film left by the soap. Perhaps I used too much soap, but since then, I have relied solely on rubbing alcohol. It’s effective, fast, and I have never encountered any issues with it. Once I find something that works well, I stick with it. Here’s why rubbing alcohol is such a fantastic cleaning agent for computer keyboards:

It effectively dissolves and removes oils and grime (whether from chips, meals, or other sources).
It disinfects surfaces and kills bacteria (especially important in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic).
It evaporates rapidly (so you might not even need to dry it afterward).

The rapid evaporation of alcohol compared to water is a significant advantage, as it minimizes the time that your keyboard is exposed to liquid. In fact, by the time I finish cleaning one side of my keyboard, the alcohol has often already evaporated from the other side. The quicker my keys dry, the better for the long-term health of my keyboard. Since the onset of COVID-19, I’ve been particularly diligent about disinfecting my keyboard. The last thing I want is to end up hospitalized due to negligence with my computer hygiene. Basic store-bought isopropyl rubbing alcohol is the perfect solution for this!

Here are some additional resources you may find useful:

What Concentration of Rubbing Alcohol Should I Use?

From my experience, it’s essential to avoid using rubbing alcohol that is too concentrated. While higher concentrations evaporate faster, they can also risk damaging the paint and icons on your keyboard. Repainting and replacing these elements can be quite a hassle. I typically recommend using a 50% concentration, which is readily available in most stores in the medical or first aid aisle. If you can only find a 70% or 90% solution, simply dilute it with a bit of water in a container to lower the concentration.

How to Clean Your Keyboard with Rubbing Alcohol

Now, let’s dive into the practical steps on how to clean your computer keyboard with rubbing alcohol. Follow this step-by-step guide to ensure you don’t damage your valuable device and avoid receiving angry emails from me later!

Step 1 – Turn OFF Your Device

This step is crucial! Before using any liquid to clean your keyboard (including alcohol), make sure to turn off and unplug your device. This prevents any electrical current from causing shock or damage to your keyboard or computer. If you’re cleaning a laptop, be sure to remove the battery as well. Once you’ve confirmed that there is no power reaching your keyboard, you’re all set to start cleaning.

Step 2 – Clean the Shell

Before taking apart the keyboard, dampen a cotton ball or microfiber cloth with your diluted alcohol solution. Gently wipe the surfaces surrounding your keyboard. After that, lightly rub the cloth across each key, applying just enough pressure to lift away dirt. Be cautious not to press too hard on the keys. This method also allows for daily sanitation without needing to disassemble your entire keyboard.

Step 3 – Clean the Individual Keys

If you’re conducting a thorough deep clean, you’ll want to remove the keys. Always double-check your manufacturer’s guidelines for key removal. Most keys can be detached using a plastic wedge, such as a trim removal tool or a small flathead screwdriver. Just be careful not to apply too much force, as you could damage the key. As you remove the keys, place them on a clean surface in the exact order they appear on the keyboard. There’s nothing worse than misplacing keys and accidentally pressing the wrong buttons (take it from me!).

Once you’ve removed the keys, dip a small toothbrush in the alcohol and scrub the underside of each key to eliminate any accumulated dirt and debris. After they are clean, return them to their original positions on your clean surface.

Step 4 – Clean Under the Keys

Before replacing the keys, take advantage of the opportunity to clean the board beneath them. First, use compressed air to blow out any crumbs or dust from the area. Be careful not to hold the can too close to the surface, as it might leave behind a frozen residue. After blowing out the dust, use your alcohol-dipped brush or cotton swab to gently clean all the nooks and crannies. Allow it to dry for a few minutes.

Conclusion

Once everything is dry, reattach the keys one by one, moving from left to right to maintain the correct order! Ensure that everything is completely dry before plugging your keyboard back into your PC or reinserting the battery into your laptop and turning it back on. If you’ve followed all of these instructions, you should be good to go! To keep your keyboard clean and sanitary, consider repeating Step 1 once or twice each week.