While it may be a bit gross not to do so, is it actually necessary to clean your mechanical keyboard? Well, the answer is technically no in certain situations. However, cleaning it may be required for long-term function, depending on how it got dirty. For example, sticky keys because of a soda spill would make a keyboard practically unusable.

In that situation, you would be required to clean it. Even if you didn’t care about appearances. However, having a dirty keyboard is unsanitary and could make you sick if you touch your face and mouth. Overall, it’s probably better to maintain a clean keyboard
and clean it regularly. There’s no good reason not to do so.

Keeping a mechanical keyboard clean can be done in many ways. But, some of the most efficient are relatively simple. Using something as simple as a microfiber cloth can get off a lot of dust, dirt, and grime, and because it’s a soft material and you can go gently, you will not harm the keys or the keyboard.

Another strategy involves using compressed air or a small hand vacuum to get most of the dust and dirt out of and off a keyboard so that it’s clean again.

If you want to efficiently clean your keyboard, the best process most likely involves using a keycap puller to get at the interior of the keyboard without issue. The key caps can be cleaned separately and quickly using cloths or wipes.

You can also use cleaning gel, canned air, or other products to get at hard-to-reach spots in the keyboard interior. Now let’s go over the necessary products to get your keyboard shining.

A keycap puller is a valuable tool that can come in handy for a big spill, like having food or liquid trapped beneath the keys. If left alone or not cleaned properly, this can cause long-term damage to the keyboard. Keycap pullers enable you to get the keys out of the way so you can clean them individually while allowing you to get at the underside and interior of the keys. You can use this Stainless Steel Keycap Remover Tool to get the job done.

Compressed air is one of the simplest ways to clean your keyboard. It’s fast, easy, and effective. Use this Falcon Dust-Off Compressed Air to blast dust and dirt out of your keyboard: make sure you get all sides and go over the keys thoroughly to keep the keyboard clean.

Like the compressed air strategy, this Color Coral Rechargeable Hand Vacuum can help by sucking and slurping things out of the keyboard. While it’s similar to the method used with the compressed air can, the vacuum has an advantage in that it can handle liquids better. It may also be a better option depending on what dirtied the keyboard.

A microfiber cloth is one of the simplest ways to clean any device, including keyboards. A microfiber cloth can clean the entire thing: keys, keycaps, the board itself, the back, the sides, and every area. Usually, a microfiber cloth with a bit of your choice of cleaning product will have your keyboard looking far better. Use this Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloth to keep your keyboard shiny.

Keyboard cleaning gel is a more unique solution than the other listed options. These keyboard cleaning gels are typically sold for cheap, and you pour the gel into the keyboard. After the gel sinks in, you can pull it out and take dirt, dust, food, etc., with it. You can use it a few times before it’s too dirty to be effective.

It’s an excellent way to get into those deep little pockets where grime or gross old food may be hiding. This Cleaning Gel Universal Dust Cleaner is ideal for a quick, easy, and effective way to clean your keyboard.

Wipes are about as simple as they come, and using them should be pretty straightforward. You can use wipes to get dust, dirt, grime, food, liquid, and other things off your keyboard. Ideally, it’s also a good idea to get wipes that work well on screens, such as the suggested product below. These ALIBEISS Screen Wipes are ideal for keyboards and all types of screens.

Finally, this cleaning keyboard kit is a high-powered solution to all your dirty keyboard woes. This kit features keycap pullers, brushes, and different heads. You can take your keyboard apart and use the kit to clean, brush, and maintain your keyboard to perfection.

If you find cleaning the keyboard itself a bothersome task, this Hagibis Cleaning Soft Brush Keyboard Cleaner might be a good option for you.