Mechanical keyboards are awesome! They’re loved by gamers, writers, and anyone who types a lot because they feel great, work fast, and last a long time. But, like anything you use every day, keyboards can get dirty. Dust, crumbs, and oils from your fingers can pile up over time. Don’t worry — we’re here to teach you how to clean mechanical keyboard parts the right way, without messing anything up.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to take care of your mechanical keyboard, remove the keys, deep clean everything, and even improve how it feels when you type.
Let’s get started!
Why You Should Clean Your Mechanical Keyboard
Why does keyboard cleaning matter? Here’s why it’s important to keep your keyboard clean:
- It lasts longer and works better
- Your keys won’t get stuck or feel weird
- It looks nicer and stays fresh
- It helps keep germs and bacteria away
- It keeps your typing smooth and satisfying
If you’ve spent good money on your keyboard, keeping it clean is a smart move.
How Often Should You Clean It?
How often you clean your keyboard depends on how much you use it:
- Light Use (just browsing or casual typing): Wipe it once a week, deep clean 3–4 times a year
- Medium Use (for work or gaming): Wipe twice a week, deep clean every 2–3 months
- Heavy Use (streamers, coders, gamers): Wipe a few times weekly, deep clean every month
Cleaning regularly makes a big difference!
What Tools You Need
Before we start, gather these tools:
- Keycap puller (small tool to remove keys)
- Microfiber cloth (soft cloth that won’t scratch)
- Small brush (or an anti-static one made for keyboards)
- Compressed air can (safely blows out dust)
- Dish soap
- Bowl or small container (for washing keycaps)
- Isopropyl alcohol (aka rubbing alcohol, at least 90% is best)
- Cotton swabs (like Q-tips)
- Switch puller (for hot-swappable keyboards, optional)
- Small vacuum (optional, be gentle!)
Always unplug your keyboard before you do any kind of cleaning!
Step-by-Step: How to Clean Mechanical Keyboards
Let’s go through each step to clean your mechanical keyboard the right way.
Step 1: Basic Cleaning (Do This Every Week)
This keeps your keyboard from getting too dirty between deep cleanings.
- Unplug your keyboard first
- Turn it upside down and gently shake out dust and crumbs
- Use compressed air to blow out dirt between the keys
- Brush around the keys to remove more grime
- Wipe the top and sides with a cloth slightly damp with water or rubbing alcohol
Tip: Never spray liquid directly on your keyboard!
Step 2: How to Remove Keys from Mechanical Keyboards
If it’s been a while, you’ll want to give your board a bigger clean. That means taking the keycaps off!
Here’s how:
- Use a keycap puller to lift each keycap straight up (give it a wiggle if it’s stuck)
- Start with the big keys like the spacebar
- Be gentle with keys like Shift, Backspace, Enter — they have metal stabilizers under them
- Drop the keycaps into a bowl for later cleaning
Now you can get underneath the keys for a much better clean.
Step 3: Deep Clean the Keycaps
Now that you’ve removed the keycaps, it’s time to clean them!
- Fill a bowl with warm water and a few drops of dish soap
- Let the keycaps soak for at least 30 minutes — or overnight if needed
- Scrub off any dirt using a soft brush or toothbrush
- Rinse the caps with cold water
- Let them air dry on a towel for at least 6–8 hours
Make sure the keycaps are 100% dry before you put them back!
Step 4: Clean the Keyboard Base
Now clean the empty keyboard (without keycaps):
- Use compressed air to blow out more dust or hair
- Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and clean around each switch
- Wipe the board with a microfiber cloth — be gentle and don’t use too much liquid
- If anything is stuck-on, carefully use an alcohol wipe to remove it
Be sure to avoid pouring or dripping liquids into the switches.
Optional: Lubing the Switches and Stabilizers
Want your keyboard to feel even smoother and sound better? This step is for you!
- Lube the switches with special grease (like Krytox or Tribosys)
- Use a small brush to apply a tiny bit inside each switch (only if you’re experienced)
- Lube large stabilizer keys (like spacebar) to stop them from rattling
This is advanced — only do this if you’re ready to tinker with your keyboard.
Rebuild Your Keyboard
Everything clean and dry? Time to put it all back:
- Look at a photo of your keyboard layout to remember where each key goes
- Push each keycap straight onto its switch until it clicks in
- Plug in your keyboard and test all keys to make sure they work
Now your keyboard is clean, refreshed, and ready to go!
Extra Tips for Long-Term Keyboard Care
Want your keyboard to stay clean longer? Do this:
- Use a dust cover when your keyboard’s not in use
- Wash your hands before using your keyboard
- Don’t eat over your keyboard — those crumbs are sneaky
- Keep your cleaning tools nearby: cloth, brush, and keycap puller
- Use PBT keycaps if you type for hours — they stay clean longer than ABS keys
Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t do these things when cleaning your keyboard:
- Using a strong vacuum — it can break your switches
- Spraying water or alcohol directly on your keyboard — use a cloth instead
- Putting keycaps back before they’re dry — big mistake!
- Forcing keycaps in at the wrong angle — this can damage switches
- Using bleach or harsh cleaners — they can ruin your keyboard parts
Always be gentle and take your time.
Final Word: Keep It Clean, Keep It Smooth
Cleaning your mechanical keyboard isn’t hard — and now you know exactly how to do it safely and properly. From simple dusting to full deep cleans, even removing keycaps and giving them a bubble bath, you’ve got all the tools and tricks.
Knowing how to remove keys from mechanical keyboard switches carefully means no more sticky, dirty keys — and a better feel every time you type.
Your fingers (and your keyboard) will thank you!
Time to Level Up Your Setup?
Now that you’ve cleaned your keyboard, why not keep going?
- Wipe down your mouse
- Clean your monitor
- Try cool custom keycaps or upgrade your switches
A clean space = a better place to work and play.
🧼 Bookmark this guide and share it with your friends who love their keyboards too.
Happy typing — and keep those switches squeaky clean!