How to Care for and Maintain Your Keyboard

The keyboard is probably one of the most important parts of your computer. Without the keyboard, you cannot type an important work e-mail, an important school paper that is due tomorrow, nor can you send instant messages to your friends. In literal terms, your computer is of no use at all without your keyboard. What could you possibly do with it without your keyboard? Well, maybe if it’s a touch screen, you could have some use for it, but otherwise, none at all.

Since you need your keyboard in order for your computer to function properly and navigate from program to program and almost everything else that you need your computer to do, it is vital that you know how to care for it and maintain it. In other words, keep it clean and function properly.

Be Gentle – No Rough Stuff!

First of all, when using your keyboard, you will wear it out a lot faster if you hit your keys really hard. It is important to try not to do this so that you don’t mess it up. There are keyboards that you can purchase that actually have a softer feel to make typing a little smoother. In addition, don’t keep pressing a key over and over because you can’t get it to work; don’t get frustrated either, just try something else. If nothing else, walk away from the computer for a couple of minutes to regain your composure then come back and fix the key so that it works properly.

Keep Drinks and Food in the Kitchen Where They Belong

When possible, keep all food and drinks away from your computer area. If your drink accidentally spilled, it could cause not only your keyboard to short out, but if it got close enough, it could ruin your entire computer. If you are going to have drinks around your computer, try to make sure that you at least have a tight fitting lid on your drink. As for food, it is just simply a no-no. Crumbs from your food could fall into the keyboard and cause your keys to jam and get stuck. If you just have to bring food near your computer, keep it away from your keyboard – cover it up to avoid allowing crumbs to enter in between the keys.

Cleaning Your Keyboard the Right Way

Have you ever thought about how nasty your keyboard is? Think about all the germs and bacteria that it probably holds – especially if you use it every day. Gross! If you don’t clean your keyboard on a regular basis then take the following information and clean your keyboard today!

• Turn your computer off before cleaning your keyboard. In fact, disconnect it from the computer. Purchase a compressed air can and use it between the keys and along the entire keyboard. The compressed air can is made to be able to get between the keys easily to clean out any dust, crumbs, and other debris that could build up. This applies to regular keyboards, and cleaning laptop keyboards requires a little more care.
• If you don’t want to use a compressed air can for whatever reason, you can use alcohol and cue tips. Dip the cue tip in a small amount of alcohol and swipe between all of the keys.
  

  Keyboard by hangtthedj

• As for the keyboard, just take a simple cloth and wipe it down thoroughly to remove any dust and debris. You can also purchase computer cleaning wipes that will work but a cloth that you have home will suffice – just don’t use paper towels under any circumstance.
• Finally, if you want, you can remove your keys and clean underneath them with the compressed air can. You don’t have to – this is totally up to you; however, if you decide to do so be sure to take a picture or write down exactly where each key goes to ensure that every key is placed where it belongs once you have finished cleaning.
• Only use distilled water when cleaning your keyboard and keys. In addition, be sure to dry them thoroughly prior to placing them back on the keyboard; same for the keyboard itself. This link is a great one if you are wanting to take your keys loose (which you’ll need a screwdriver for!) .
• Before turning your computer back on, make sure the keyboard has dried completely.

Cyber Clean

I have to admit I like this one. The video below was a total infomercial turn-off, but I decided to try it based on positive feedback from friends. I’m glad I did. It was a little gooey, smelled like harsh chemicals, but did the job wonderfully.

A little less elegant than the infomercial, but it did work pretty well.

If you want to keep down on the number of germs and bacteria that build up on your keyboard, try washing your hands before using your computer. Be sure to dry your hands thoroughly before sitting down and typing.

Now that you know how to care for and maintain your keyboard, make sure you actually follow through on the above information. There’s no reason to have to buy a new keyboard because you were reckless. Simply follow the above guidelines and you’ll be able to have a clean keyboard at all times.

Tagged as: clean keyboard, computer keyboard, How to Care your Keyboard, keyboard, Maintain Your Keyboard