How to Properly Clean Your Keyboard, One of the Germiest Places You Touch Daily
Right up there with your phone, computer keyboards are one of the most-touched surfaces in homes and offices everywhere—meaning they’re also one of the germiest. In fact, one 2018 study found that 96% of 25 keyboards sampled were contaminated with bacteria. The possible culprits: Unwashed hands, all the crumbs from your 2 p.m. stress snacks, and moisture-trapping dust, to name a few.
But with dozens of keys, copious cracks and crevices, and sensitive electronic parts underneath, keyboards are notoriously difficult to clean. The same study found that, after disinfection, only about 16% of keyboards completely reduced their bacterial contamination. The researchers believe this could be due to inadequate buffing between the keys, where all the gunk tends to accumulate.
So, a regular cleaning is in order. And with the right equipment, it doesn’t take too much time or effort—just ask Melissa Maker, owner of home cleaning company Clean My Space in Toronto. “When cleaning a keyboard, you have a couple of things to think about,” Maker says. “What falls inside is the first thing to worry about, and the second is the surface of the keys.”
Whether your keyboard has seen one too many desk lunches or your laptop is about to become your de facto office (looking at you, people stuck working from home), this cleaning technique only takes a few minutes and will leave your keyboard squeaky clean. It might even work better after a bit of elbow grease.
What equipment do I need to clean my keyboard?
Keyboard cleaning only takes a few household items, according to Maker. Some of this equipment is interchangeable—a soft toothbrush can fill in for compressed air, for example—but it’s best to have all of it at hand, just in case.
Toothbrush
Cotton swabs
How do I clean under the keys?
To play it safe, make sure you shut your computer down first. External keyboards should be disconnected from your computer completely. Then, “start by taking the keyboard and tilting it up on its short side, straight up, over a flat surface,” Maker explains. For laptops, aim for a 75-degree angle, per Apple’s website.
“If you have compressed air, you can start doing short blasts from top to bottom to squeeze any of those crumbs out of the areas between keys.” Now, use a clean toothbrush to sweep out larger or stubborn debris in short strokes. (For external keyboards, a toothbrush alone works just fine for this step, but compressed air will be gentler on laptops.)
It’s important to do this process top to bottom, ensuring that crumbs and dust fall out instead of getting lodged in a forgotten corner. When they fall out, sweep them up and send them packing. “This is not a step to be skipped,” Maker says. “It is shocking how much stuff comes out of there. But when you think about how many snacks you’ve had sitting over your computer, then it won’t surprise you.”
How do I clean the surface of my keyboard?
Here, Maker explains, you have a choice: You can use either a disinfectant wipe or a microfiber cloth coated with diluted rubbing alcohol (equal parts water and alcohol). Apple recommends a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Do not use aerosol cleaning sprays or wipes that contain bleach.
“Clean the keys and the surrounding area by wiping them and keeping them wet for about three minutes if you’re looking to disinfect,” Maker says. In this case, “wet” doesn’t mean soaking—you want to see moisture on the surface of the keys, but liquids shouldn’t be allowed to soak into the keyboard. If you’re using a wipe, you may need to squeeze out excess liquid. You can also spray a cotton swab with the diluted alcohol and use that to clean hard-to-reach areas.
After you give it a gentle sweep, let your keyboard rest for a few minutes while it dries off—and always make sure everything is 100% dry before powering back on.
✅ Depending on your device’s specific user manual, many manufacturers recommend removing the keys completely (they should pop right off) for a deep-cleaning at least once per year.
How often should I clean my keyboard?
In the same study above, the researchers reported that 52% of people said they clean their keyboard about once or twice a month—but to properly disinfect, you should aim to clean it with a disinfectant wipe daily, the authors say. That said, if you’re the only person using your computer, most of that bacteria likely won’t cause you any serious harm, and other research finds that once per week is okay.
But prevention is key here: Washing your hands regularly and keeping snacks away from your computer will keep the area less grimy.
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