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? “It is shocking how much stuff comes out of there. “This is not a step to be skipped,” Maker says. When they fall out, sweep them up and send them packing. 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. (For external keyboards, a toothbrush alone works just fine for this step, but compressed air will be gentler on laptops.) “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. ❗Always shut down your computer before cleaning any parts. For laptops, aim for a 75-degree angle, per Apple’s website. Then, “start by taking the keyboard and tilting it up on its short side, straight up, over a flat surface,” Maker explains. External keyboards should be disconnected from your computer completely. To play it safe, make sure you shut your computer down first. 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. Keyboard cleaning only takes a few household items, according to Maker.

What equipment do I need to clean my keyboard? It might even work better after a bit of elbow grease. 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.

Laptop computer keyboard cleaner