How To Clean Your Mechanical Keyboard

How To Clean Your Mechanical Keyboard

There are few things more satisfying and productive than banging out a document, essay, or code on your mechanical keyboard. These gadgets offer a level of tactile response that’s impossible with standard desktop keys. However, as any mechanical keyboard user will tell you, keeping this ergonomic accessory nice and clean is no easy task. These devices are not only prone to dirt and grime as much as other computer accessories, but cleaning them can be a tricky business. Unlike the smooth surface of membrane keys, each individual key on a mechanical board has plenty of nooks and crannies for dust, lint, and even pet hair to get stuck in. If you use your mechanical keyboard every day at work or home office then it’s important to know how to clean your mechanical keyboard correctly.

How To Clean A Mechanical Keyboard

A damp cloth and isopropyl alcohol

If you’re looking to really clean up your mechanical keyboard, damp cloth and rubbing alcohol are the best tools for the job. Make sure to use distilled water, or filtered water, to prevent minerals and impurities from building up on your keyboard. If you have a fancy mechanical keyboard, you might want to use a microfiber cloth to prevent any damage. Make sure to wring out the cloth so it doesn’t leave any excess moisture on your keyboard. Once your keyboard is wet, use a toothbrush to scrub away any stubborn grime. Be careful not to put too much pressure on the keyboard since the mechanical switches can be damaged. Don’t forget to clean the sides and back of the keyboard, and don’t leave the keyboard to dry out. Dampen a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol and carefully clean the individual keys. Leave the keyboard to air dry, and remember to turn it off before you put it away to prevent any damage from moisture.

Drying out your mechanical keyboard

Drying out your mechanical keyboard sounds like a good idea, but it’s actually one of the worst things you can do. The best way to dry out your keyboard is to leave it out in the open and let it dry naturally. While this sounds simple, it actually takes a long time. Excessive heat could damage your keyboard, so don’t put it near a radiator or other source of heat. You could also try putting the keyboard in a paper bag to speed up the process. Make sure you keep the bag open and don’t forget to regularly check on the keyboard to see how it’s coming along. While it might sound silly, waiting for your keyboard to dry completely is the best thing you can do. If you try to power on your keyboard before it’s completely dry, you could damage the electronic parts.

Use dry rice to soak up the gunk

This cleaning method is the quickest and easiest way to clean your mechanical keyboard. All you need to do is pour out a small amount of rice into a bowl, and cover it with gunk. Put a plate or lid on the bowl, and let it sit for a day or two. Once the rice has absorbed all the grime, take the bowl off the keyboard, empty out the rice, and wipe down the keyboard. Make sure the grains of rice don’t get stuck in the keys. This method works great for cleaning out any dust or dirt in the crevices of your keyboard. It doesn’t get into every nook and cranny, but it’s an easy and quick way to keep your mechanical keyboard clean.

Baking soda and vinegar

This odd combination of cleaning products is both cheap and effective. Mix one part vinegar with 10 parts water, and pour it into a bowl. Sprinkle some baking soda on top, and let it sit for a few hours. Carefully remove the mixture with a spoon, and wipe down your keyboard with a damp cloth. This mixture is great for removing stubborn grime, but it could damage some finishes, so be careful when cleaning. This method is best used on mechanical keyboards with removable keys. Simply remove the keys, drop baking soda and vinegar in the holes, and let them sit for an hour before wiping them off with a damp cloth. This method is the best way to clean a mechanical keyboard, but it’s also time-consuming and requires some elbow grease.

Why Is It So Important To Clean Your Mechanical Keyboard?

  1. Your hands are constantly shedding skin cells, and those cells get stuck in the cracks on the keys. Bacteria and germs can only thrive in a warm, moist place, and that’s exactly what your keyboard is.
  2. If you don’t clean your mechanical keyboard regularly, then it will eventually stop working. This is because dirt and grime build up on the switches inside the keyboard, and prevent them from working properly.
  3. Cleaning your mechanical keyboard can extend its lifespan by years. If you take care of your mechanical keyboard, it will take care of you, and keep cranking the ‘Mechanical Keyboards’ article.
  4. Cleaning your mechanical keyboard is fun and satisfying. There’s nothing better than seeing the grime from your mechanical keyboard wash away in the sink.
  5. It’s a good way to bond with friends and family. You can try out different methods of cleaning, and see which ones work best for you.

Why Should You Use A Mechanical Keyboard?

  1. Mechanical keyboards are the best type of keyboard on the market. They’re built to last and don’t break easily.
  2. They’re very customizable, and you can change just about anything on them. You can change the switches, and keycaps, or even add backlighting to your mechanical keyboard.
  3. Mechanical keyboards are a great way to express yourself through your technology. Different switches have different feelings, and some people prefer one over another based on those feelings alone.
  4. Mechanical keyboards give you more control over your typing experience than membrane or scissor switch keyboards ever could. The difference between a mechanical keyboard and a membrane or scissor-switch keyboard is like the difference between driving a car with an automatic transmission versus a manual transmission: there is no comparison in terms of control and performance!
  5. Mechanical keyboards are the best way to relive your glory days of using a typewriter.

The sound, the feel, and the look of a mechanical keyboard are enough to bring back childhood memories of your parent’s old typewriter.

Here Are Some Tips On How To Find The Best Mechanical Keyboard Under $100:

  1. Check online forums and ask around to see what mechanical keyboards are worth buying at a low price. You should also check out what people consider their favorite mechanical keyboard under $100 and why they like it so much.
  2. Visit your local electronics store or computer shop and try some out for yourself! Most of these places will have a variety of different mechanical keyboards on display that you can try out, and many will be priced under $100.
  3. Check out Amazon for deals on used or refurbished products! If you’re lucky, you might even find one that’s been marked down from more than 50% off its original price!
  4. You may also be able to find a mechanical keyboard on sale from your favorite online store, like Amazon or Newegg, if you’re willing to wait for a few days.

Here Are Some Things To Keep In Mind When Looking At Different Models:

  1. Look at the different switches on offer. Some keyboards have only one switch type available while others might have two or three different types – each with its own unique feel. Take some time to test out different switches on your model and see which one works best for you. If there’s more than one switch available, it’s recommended that you take all of them into consideration before making your purchase decision – even if they’re all similar in terms of feel and performance! 
  2. Look at the keycaps as well – some keyboards come with standard keycaps while others might come with special keycaps designed specifically for this particular model. Also, consider how important backlighting is to you before making your purchase decision – some keyboards offer to backlight while others don’t.
  3. Try out the keyboard by placing your hands on it and typing some words to make sure that it feels comfortable and that you’re typing at a good speed. You can also try out different keys on the keyboard to see how they feel and which ones work best for you in terms of their feel – for example, if you’re used to using a Dvorak layout, try out a Dvorak layout on your keyboard to see if it feels more comfortable for you!
  4. Consider whether or not the keyboard has an adjustable RGB lighting system – some keyboards do have this feature while others do not. If you would like your keyboard to have this feature, consider looking at models that come with an adjustable RGB lighting system (also known as “Kailh RGB switches”). Most mechanical keyboards under $100 do not come with this feature, so make sure to check before buying!
  5. Also consider whether or not the keyboard has anti-ghosting capabilities – some keyboards will allow multiple key presses in quick succession while others might only support one key at a time (though this is still better than no anti-ghosting capabilities). Anti-ghosting is generally achieved by having multiple switches installed inside the same switch housing, which are wired separately from each other but act as one continuous switch when pressed simultaneously. If your model does not support anti-ghosting, consider looking at models that do support it!

Conclusion

Mechanical keyboards are an excellent choice for any desk. These gadgets offer a level of tactile response that’s impossible with standard desktop keys. However, as any mechanical keyboard user will tell you, keeping this ergonomic accessory nice and clean is no easy task. These devices are not only prone to dirt and grime as much as other computer accessories, but cleaning them can be a tricky business. Unlike the smooth surface of membrane keys, each individual key on a mechanical board has plenty of nooks and crannies for dust, lint, and even pet hair to get stuck in. If you use your mechanical keyboard every day at work or home office then it’s important to know how to clean your mechanical keyboard correctly. Cleaning your mechanical keyboard should be done regularly, but don’t overdo it. Doing too much cleaning could cause damage to the switches, while not doing enough could lead to bacterial growth.

Erik McKenzie
Erik is an expert in technology trends and writes tech tips on blogs. He has a passion for helping people understand new technologies and how they can be used to improve their lives.