Keyboards and mice tend to get dirty over a period of time and usually it is suggested to clean them.
Equipment tends to pick up dust, skin and food particles, hand sweat which affects the performance.
This simple task / procedure can be done on a monthly schedule and could extend the life cycle.
Items needed for a IT shopping day
Compressed air, microfiber cloths, wire keyboard puller, dawn dish soap, cotton swabs and even isopropyl alcohol can be used for the cleaning process.
Weekly or Monthly cleanings
Setting up a cleaning schedule is the first thing to accomplish. The time span can be 5 to 30 minutes before completely done.
Based on the type of keyboard you have, wired or wireless perform the following
- Unplug the USB cable from your machine if you are using a wired keyboard.
- Flip the keyboard over a pail and shake it to remove any loose particles.
- Using a compressed air can will loosen additional stuck particles.
- Using the microfiber cloth over the keyboard to remove sweat, dust or hand oils.
- Similar process goes for your mouse but be careful with the compressed air can since it can cause damage.
Deep Cleaning
For folks that wish to go further to remove garbage or anything else can go with a deep cleaning
- Using a keyboard key puller, you can remove each key.
- Remember the the keys pulled and their location.
- Place the keys into a cup or bowl filled with hot water and dish soap
- Gently shake the cup/bowl so that the soap can perform the cleaning task.
- This will take about 30 minutes
- Using cotton swabs you can lightly clean the internal key area.
- Rinse the keys with water to remove the soap residue.
- Let them dry and then place them back into the keyboard.
One of the biggest reasons to clean the keyboard / mouse is in the event of an illness yet the computer was used. You can use a alcohol swab lightly over the keyboard to remove any residue. Remember to do it lightly and be careful with the paint since alcohol can remove some of it.