What you need
- A few sticky notes
- A soft, clean paintbrush or makeup brush
- A microfibre cloth
- Isopropyl alcohol wipes, or a cloth and a small amount of isopropyl alcohol, if your device maker allows it
- Optional: a can of compressed air
Step by step
- Unplug it or power it off. Unplug a wired keyboard, switch off or remove the batteries from a wireless one, and shut down a laptop fully. This protects the electronics and stops you typing random keys into an open document.
- Tip and tap. Hold the keyboard upside down over a bin or sheet of paper and tap the back gently. Tilt it to different angles. Most loose crumbs fall out here. Hold a laptop open with the screen supported, and be gentle.
- Brush between the keys. Run a soft, dry brush along the rows to loosen what is left.
- Use the sticky note. Fold a sticky note so the sticky strip faces outward, then slide that edge between the rows and around the sides of each key. Crumbs, dust and hair stick to it. Swap to a fresh note when it stops picking things up.
- Compressed air, if you have it. Hold the can upright and use short bursts, sweeping across the keyboard from one side to the other. Keep the nozzle a few centimetres away.
- Wipe the keycaps. Use an alcohol wipe or a cloth that is only barely damp. Squeeze out any excess first. Wipe the tops and sides of the keys and the frame around them.
- Let it dry. Give it a few minutes before plugging it back in or turning it on.
Never spray liquid directly onto a keyboard, and never use a dripping cloth. Liquid that runs between the keys is the most common way keyboards get damaged. Check the device maker's cleaning guidance before using alcohol or any wipe, and test on one key first, because some printed letters and coatings can rub off. Use one product at a time: never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia, because the combinations release toxic gases. Compressed air cans can spray very cold liquid if tipped, so keep the can upright and use it in a ventilated room.
Laptops, mechanical keyboards and spills
Laptops: the keys are low and closely spaced, so the sticky note does most of the work. Do not try to pop laptop keys off. Many use small clips that break easily and are hard to replace. Check the maker's guidance on angles for compressed air, because some recommend holding the laptop tilted.
Mechanical keyboards: the keycaps usually pull off with a keycap puller. Take a photo of the layout first. Wash the caps in warm, soapy water, rinse them, and let them dry completely, overnight, before putting them back. Never wash the keyboard itself.
Spills: unplug or power off immediately, turn the keyboard upside down to drain, blot what you can and let it dry upside down for at least a day. Sugary drinks leave sticky residue that may need the keycaps cleaned or professional help. For a laptop spill, power off, unplug the charger and check the maker's support guidance before turning it back on.
Common mistakes
- Cleaning while it is plugged in or switched on. Risky for the electronics, and you will type nonsense.
- Spraying cleaner onto the keys. Always spray onto the cloth instead.
- Shaking it hard. A gentle tap works. Hard shaking and banging can damage keys and laptop hinges.
- Using a strong vacuum on the keys. It can pull off keycaps and the small parts underneath.
- Prying off laptop keys. The clips break easily.
- Eating over the keyboard. The best cleaning tip is fewer crumbs.
What professionals use, and why
Office cleaners and IT teams tend to use pre-moistened wipes approved for electronics, because the amount of liquid is controlled and nothing drips. They use microfibre because it lifts grime without scratching or leaving lint, and many use electric dusters or compressed air for the gaps. In shared or clinical settings, they choose a disinfectant wipe the device maker allows, and leave the surface wet for the contact time on its label, because a disinfectant only works if it stays on long enough.
One practical point: in many offices, cleaning crews do not move or unplug personal equipment, so keyboards often depend on the person using them.
Shared and office keyboards
- Hot desks: wipe the keyboard and mouse when you arrive and when you leave.
- Reception and shared computers: keep approved wipes nearby so a quick clean is easy.
- Make it part of a routine. A weekly sticky-note pass fits easily into the end-of-day 3-minute desk reset.
- Ask IT before using anything new on company equipment. They may have a list of approved products.
If the simple method does not work
A key that still sticks usually has something sticky underneath. On a mechanical keyboard, remove that keycap and clean under it. On a laptop, try the sticky note and compressed air again, then ask IT or the maker.
Grime that will not wipe off the keycaps may need a second pass with an alcohol wipe, if your maker allows it, or a little warm, soapy water on a well-wrung cloth.
Keys that stop working after a spill need drying time, and possibly a repair. Do not keep testing it while it is wet.
Dust that comes back quickly may be coming from the room. Our guide to keeping a home office dust free covers the source.
Frequently asked questions
How do you clean crumbs out of a keyboard?
Unplug it or power it off, turn it upside down and tap it gently to release loose crumbs, then brush between the keys. Slide the sticky edge of a sticky note between the rows to pick up what is left, and finish by wiping the keycaps with a barely damp cloth or an approved wipe.
Does the sticky note trick really work?
Yes, for the crumbs, dust and hair sitting between and around the keys. The sticky strip is thin enough to slide between rows and tacky enough to pick debris up. Swap to a fresh note once it stops sticking.
Can I spray cleaner on my keyboard?
No. Never spray liquid directly onto a keyboard. Spray onto a cloth, or use a pre-moistened wipe, and squeeze out any excess first. Liquid that runs between the keys is a common cause of damage.
Should I unplug my keyboard before cleaning it?
Yes. Unplug a wired keyboard, switch off or remove the batteries from a wireless one, and shut down a laptop fully before cleaning.
Is compressed air safe for keyboards?
Generally yes, used correctly. Hold the can upright, use short bursts, keep the nozzle a few centimetres away, and work in a ventilated room. Tipping the can can spray very cold liquid. Check your device maker's guidance, especially for laptops.
What should I do if I spill a drink on my keyboard?
Unplug it or power it off straight away, turn it upside down to drain, blot what you can, and let it dry upside down for at least a day. For a laptop, also unplug the charger and check the maker's guidance before turning it back on.
If you are looking after a whole office rather than one desk, you can find out more on our office cleaning page, and get more practical tips like this through our free cleaning tips sign-up.