If you are tired of using a slow, unresponsive or even faulty keyboard, it might be time to give those keys some tender loving care. Below is a quick tutorial for cleaning your keyboard, as well as some useful tips for looking after it in the future.
How To Clean Your Keyboard:
1. Before you clean your keyboard, make sure that it is completely unplugged from the computer tower.
2. Turn it upside down and use a can of compressed air to blow out all of the debris and crumbs. If you don’t want to consistently purchase cans of compressed air, USB vacuum cleaners also do the trick!
3. If there are any marks on your keyboard, an eraser can be used to get rid of them.
4. To finish cleaning, wipe the keyboard down with a dampened cloth, followed by a dry one. If you have one, an anti-static cloth is perfect for this.
5. Plug it in and give it a quick test. If you are using an older computer, you may have to reboot your device after plugging the keyboard in again. You can use an online keyboard tester to ensure that every key works correctly.
Tips For Looking After Your Keyboard:
- Move It While Eating – Many articles online will tell you to not have lunch at your desktop – but for many of us, there is no choice. If you do eat at your desk, simply move the keyboard away from where any crumbs may fall and give your work space a quick wipe down before you start working again. (There really is no need to significantly alter your lunchtime routine just for the sake of your keyboard!).
- Make Use Of The Allocated Tray – A lot of desks have an allocated keyboard tray, often mounted on rollers so that it can be pushed inwards when the workspace is not in use (There is also a ‘clamp on’ alternative which can be attached to any desk). This feature isn’t only for convenience; it also helps to prevent dust from reaching the keyboard and accumulating under the keys.
- Touch Typing – When we mention ‘touch typing’, we are not referring to the speed at which you type, but how hard you are pressing each key. Regardless of whether you can type a few words per second or solely type with one finger, pressing each key lightly will help to avoid damage.
- Cable Management – The wiring on a keyboard is often the first component to start showing signs of wear and tear. When setting up your workstation, check that the cable is running straight into your computer without anything heavy being placed on top. Also make sure the wiring is not overly tight as this can lead to fraying.
That concludes our list of how to clean and maximise the lifespan of your keyboard. Follow these steps and you will encounter less faults, giving you an easier and faster typing experience.
