Our guide to cleaning and maintaining your keyboard.

Computer Keyboards can get dirty very easily, to clean the surface of a keyboard is very straight forward.

In this guide however we will show you how to clean your keyboard thoroughly as well as giving it a quick once over, we will guide you through with the aid of photos and diagrams.

We have split the guide into two parts, the first part is for keyboards that just need a quick clean, the second part is for membrane keyboards (most standard keyboards) and includes removing the keys for a thorough cleaning.

 
What you will need:
lint free cloth.
dry cloth or duster.
suitable cleaning fluid (isopropyl alcohol).
cotton buds.
Can of compressed air or vacuum cleaner.
Flat tip screwdriver (optional for thorough clean).

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Moderate cleaning (quick and easy)
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First, shutdown your PC and remove the mains plug, unplug the keyboard (remember which socket) and hold it upside down to release any debris from inbetween the keys (pressing the keys is a good way to release it).

If you have a can of compressed air then use it to blow any debris from around and under the keys, if not then use the hose of a vacuum cleaner to remove it.

Now take one of the cotton buds and put a couple of drops of the cleaning fluid on it, use the cotton bud to clean the sides of the keys as seen in fig 1

 
After cleaning the sides of the keys take your lin