How Do I Vacuum My Mechanical Keyboard?
Mechanical keyboards are highly durable, but they can get dirty. You can clean them semi-regularly with paper towels moistened with water or rubbing alcohol. However, one area of your keyboard needs to be vacuumed regularly – under and between the keys. Cleaning under your keyboard is essential to avoid grime buildup and protect the switches from damage.
Remove Keys
If you want to keep your mechanical keyboard looking great and functioning well, you need to clean it from time to time. This is especially important if you use it for gaming and other activities, as the keys can collect dust and debris over time. Removing the keys and blowing them out is the best way to do this. A mechanical keyboard differs from a standard laptop or computer keyboard because it has key switches underneath each key instead of buttons. These are made of a hard plastic “stem” with two metal contacts that connect when the key is pressed.
The spring beneath the stem presses down on these contacts, registering your key press to your keyboard and computer’s circuitry. However, this can cause a lot of damage if not done correctly. Fortunately, it’s very easy to remove the switches from your keyboard and replace them with new ones. For the most part, this is done using special tools that you can purchase online or from your keyboard manufacturer. The most common mechanism is a keycap puller, which you can find online for less than $10. It can remove the keys on most mechanical keyboards and replace them with new keycaps.
Attach the tool to the key you want to remove and wiggle it off to get started. Then, repeat the process for every key you need to remove. Taking your time and being careful when doing this is a good idea. You don’t want to break any parts or damage your keyboard. You should also be aware that some keys, such as the spacebar, have small support bars and wires underneath them that can come undone when they are removed. These are the most likely to break if you’re not careful, so it’s best to be extra gentle when removing them. Once you’ve removed all the keycaps, clean off any remaining dust or debris from the keys by wiping them with a paper towel and a mild alcohol solution. Wash the keyboard with warm water and cotton swabs to thoroughly clean it.
Clean The Surface
If you own a mechanical keyboard, cleaning the surface regularly is important. This helps keep dirt and grime from accumulating beneath the keys, where it can negatively affect your gaming performance. In general, you should wipe down the keys every week and occasionally spray the surface with a cleaning solution. However, if you’re a longtime computer gamer who uses the keys often, it may be a good idea to vacuum the keyboard every month to ensure it is free of dust, debris, and germs.
You can use a damp cloth or lint-free rag to wipe down the keyboard’s surface and keycaps. You can also use a cleaning solution to help remove sticky residue from the keys and keycaps. Before you start, unplug your keyboard so that it’s not plugged in when you do this. This will prevent damage to the PC and keyboard if you accidentally spill liquid while cleaning it. Next, open up the case of your mechanical keyboard by carefully detaching any necessary screws or cables. This will give you access to the PCB and keyboard plate.
This step is especially important if your mechanical keyboard has a plastic or plastic-like chassis because it will make it easier to vacuum it up. Then, dislodge as much dirt and grime as possible from the channels between the keys with tweezers before you vacuum them up with your vacuum cleaner. This will make it easier for the vacuum cleaner to suck up any embedded fur and other particles stuck to the channels. Be careful to avoid contact with the glass sensors if your keyboard has them, but try to dislodge all the debris from the channels as much as possible with the tweezers first.
Once you’ve cleaned the keyboard, put it back together and replace the keycaps. You might have to do this twice to get all the dirt out of the channels in the keys. Keeping your mechanical keyboard clean is an easy, simple, and effective way to ensure that it lasts for years to come. But it does take some effort and commitment on your part.
Clean The Switches
If your mechanical keyboard starts to look and work less than optimal, it might be time for a deep clean. This can be a hassle for busy people who need to get used to the process, but it will ensure your keyboard continues to look and function as it should. Cleaning your keyboard’s switches is easier than you might think, and there are a few ways to get them looking like new again. First, you’ll want to remove your keycaps and closely examine what’s underneath them.
Once you’ve removed the keys, you can use a damp cloth or cotton swab to wipe down each key. This should get the job done, but if you notice that some of the keys have become sticky, it’s time for a deeper clean. You can vacuum your switches using a regular household vacuum cleaner, though you may need to remove any loose debris with tweezers first. Then, run the vacuum across the keyboard, but steer clear of any glass sensors.
Another good way to clean your switches is with a thin nylon brush. This will help to remove any stubborn stains or dirt that might be hiding in the switches. The nylon brush should be able to gently wiggle the switch without scratching it, but you’ll need to give it a few minutes to do its job. Once you’re happy with the results, it’s time to reattach your keycaps. When you’re ready to reattach the keycaps, you can snap them back until they are securely in place. You should also ensure that each key has been cleaned and dried thoroughly before you reassemble your keyboard.
After your mechanical keyboard has been cleaned and dried, it should work again! This will help keep it looking and working as well as possible for years. You can also use alcohol and rubbing alcohol on your keyboard to remove any grease clogging the switches or the keys. However, it is important to be cautious because alcohol can erode your switches.
Final Thought
A final tip is to avoid using detergents that contain acid or bleach. These can decolorize plastics and can damage the color of your keycaps. Alternatively, soak your keycaps in hot water for a few hours. This is an excellent way to remove lingering grime from your keycaps and can help soften any skin layer that may have been built up on the keycaps. After soaking your keycaps, rinse them off and let them air dry on a towel (letter side up) for at least 6 hours before putting them back on the keyboard.
