How to clean the keyboard on a laptop. Modern keyboard cleaning at home. Getting rid of spilled liquids

The laptop keyboard tends to become clogged with dust, crumbs, you can spill water on it or, even worse, sweet tea, cola, etc. In all these situations, the buttons begin to stick, and the characters stop being printed. Moreover, if any sweet or sticky liquid gets on the input device, it must be quickly removed and cleaned. Otherwise, an aggressive environment may enter the board tracks and damage them. Next, we’ll tell you how to clean your laptop keyboard at home in the most convenient and safe way.

Cleaning from dust and crumbs

Dust and dirt under the keys of a laptop keyboard usually accumulate over many months or even a year or two, so by simply wiping the device with a cleaning cloth, the user is unlikely to be able to remove all accumulated dirt.

To do this, you will have to remove all the buttons before cleaning, but before doing this, do not forget to photograph their location so as not to experience further difficulties with their reinstallation.

The keys from the laptop’s input device “snap off” as follows:

The cleaning method described above is effective only when accidental drops of spilled liquid, crumbs and dust come into contact with the input device. Cleaning a laptop keyboard after sweet tea has been spilled on it requires several other measures, which most users can also do on their own at home.

Cleaning sticky liquid from your keyboard

To completely remove traces of tea or coffee, the laptop's input device will have to be completely removed. But on most laptops, this device is attached to the front panel using ordinary plastic latches, so there is no need to completely disassemble the mobile computer or do any complex disassembly.

In some cases (this mainly applies to fairly old and less common models), the keyboard can be attached to the back cover of the device with screws. Usually there are no more than two. After unscrewing the fasteners, the device to be dismantled can simply be picked up with a knife or screwdriver, after which it can be easily detached from the body.

The main thing is that after moisture gets in, the fastest way is to turn off the device and remove the battery. Next, you can disassemble and clean the keyboard on your laptop:

You should also use a screwdriver to lift the edges of the input device when unsnapping the fasteners. It is not recommended to do this by hand, since the plastic of the device is quite thin - if force is applied carelessly to it, the material may crack.

Disconnecting the cable

The input device of the mobile computer is connected to the system board via a special cable. It is easy to damage, so do not yank the removed panel under any circumstances after the fasteners have been detached. The cable is secured using a special lock with latches, the type of which may vary in different laptop models.

When removing a cable, in order to open the latch that holds it, in some cases it is necessary to perform such actions as lifting the fastener or clamping the tabs. Some types of clamps use spring latches to hold the cable.

Cleaning the laptop keyboard

After a large amount of liquid gets in, in order to prevent oxidation of the conductive paths of the board, the keyboard will need to be thoroughly washed with water (or soapy water), which any user can do with their own hands. No aggressive detergents should be used for this.

The main thing after this is to thoroughly dry the device. This should be done under sunlight or on a battery for at least a day, maybe two. Otherwise, if moisture remains on the conductive paths, over time they will oxidize and the input device of the mobile computer will completely stop working.

When you see a solid layer of dust, and the apple, hp, acer or asus icons are no longer visible behind the seed husks, serious keyboard cleaning is planned. How to clean it? Your input device requires careful handling. In case of a breakdown, the same model may not be found in stores, or it may be expensive even in comparison with the original purchase price. But cleaning the keyboard in different ways is useful knowledge and invaluable experience. How to properly clean the keyboard and in what cases is this procedure required?

When should you clean your keyboard?

The keyboard requires regular cleaning to prevent problems with the device. Preventive measures of this kind are important to maintain the original appearance and working appearance longer. But there are cases when immediate cleaning is required:

1. The keys began to stick and sink when pressed. May remain in the same pressing position due to strange stickiness at the edge or base.
2. For the key to work, you need to press it several times.
3. The buttons, keyboard, and space between the buttons are “decorated” with stains, dirty layers and stripes.
4. When pressing the buttons, strange sounds are made (not a soft click, but a creaking or unpleasant squeak).
5. The naked eye can see that between the keys there is a lot of debris, dust, crumbs, pieces of paper, and the buttons themselves are dirty and sticky.

How to disassemble the keyboard

Cleaning should not only be done on the outer case, but also on the internal one, so even before the question of how to wash the keyboard of a laptop or computer, an additional step is needed. How to disassemble the device? Parsing the device on a laptop and a computer is significantly different. Therefore, we will consider two options for disassembling the keyboard to avoid additional difficulties or damage. You also need to figure out how to safely clean contacts, wash buttons, and work with fasteners.

On a laptop

1. Before disassembling, take photographs of any keyboard to avoid the situation of “Where was that button?”
2. Turn off the laptop; the battery must be removed.
3. Buttons with different functional purposes are attached in different ways. The mechanisms by which this happens are called microlifts. After removing the plastic part, set it aside along with the mount.
4. To clean your laptop from dust, start by disassembling the letter keys. When you snap off the plastic button, you will see a pair of fasteners that need to be snapped off with tweezers where the microlift is fixed vertically.
5. Work with the side fasteners carefully, do not rush, they are very fragile. Removing all microlifts at the same time threatens to break.
6. Next, go to the buttons that have different microlifts. The PgUp, PgDn keys, cursors, and the letter E button under its plastic button are attached with a black/white fastener. We remove the ears from the hooks (on the left side, top and bottom).
7. Spacebar and Shift are removed in the same way, but differ in that there are not one latches per button, but two.
8. The last buttons are: alt, fn, ctrl and win. To remove them, the side ears on the right (top and bottom) are displayed.
9. Then remove the black stencil. On it, each button corresponds to the desired triangular rubber band.
10. Under the stencil there is a three-layer base film with contact points. They suffer from short circuits when liquid is spilled on the keyboard. The layers are very thin and fragile, so work with extreme caution so as not to damage the film base.

For computer

1. We disconnect the keyboard from the computer and take pictures from the outside.
2. It will be more convenient to work on a table covered with a tablecloth. The keyboard turns over and all the bolts are removed using a Phillips screwdriver. First, unscrew in the center, then along the edges, fold everything separately on the tablecloth or in any convenient container.
3. We separate the parts of the body. We lift the upper part, remove the keys by prying them up along the edge with a screwdriver. The button will rise up and come off the fastenings.
4. How to remove the “Space”, Enter, Shift buttons? They are additionally fixed with metal fasteners; more effort is required to remove them from the fixation.
5. To replace the light diode or cord, remove the bottom of the keyboard, then the control board. You will see a thin film with contacts: you should not touch it.
6. Having cleaned and replaced everything necessary, the keys are put in their places and secured by pressing a finger until they click. Assemble all the buttons on the top of the keyboard, align them with the bottom, and close all the latches.
7. Install the previously pulled out bolts into the inverted housing and tighten it halfway so that the housing does not move and all the parts fall exactly into their sockets. Your keyboard will work for a long time, efficiently, and quietly.

How to clean keys

The keyboard is disassembled, the keys are all neatly pulled out, let's start cleaning them. There are many ways to overcome dirt, stickiness and terrible stains on the keys. Each cleaning method differs in the labor intensity, strength, amount of time and money spent on the process. Choose how to thoroughly clean your keyboard according to your discretion and capabilities.

Suitable cleaning materials:

1. Alcohol wipes. The process is time-consuming, since each key will have to be thoroughly wiped with damp or alcohol wipes. But the result will be as perfect as possible, because you approached every detail individually. Plus, the moisture on the surface of the buttons quickly evaporates after such cleaning, so you don’t have to wait long for drying to finish.
2. Cleaning with a hairdryer. Blowing air out of an upside-down keyboard using a hair dryer is a very quick and easy process. You can also use a hairdryer to dry any spilled liquid on the keyboard.
3. Cotton buds. You'll have to tinker, but with a cotton swab you can clean the buttons and the space between the buttons. The main thing is to change cotton swabs often and, if desired, moisten them with diluted isopropyl alcohol (it will not damage the paint, unlike regular alcohol). You can also replace cotton swabs with a brush.
4. Specialized vacuum cleaner. If you are looking for how to clean a laptop keyboard at home, then for superficial cleaning you will be offered a cleaner specialized for keyboards. Another assistant device is a car vacuum cleaner. It’s easy to buy a special aerosol can with compressed air to blow everything out of the keyboard well.
5. Slime. A special sticky product helps to effectively clean your laptop from dust or stickiness. Slimes are sold in stores or prepared independently at home. - detailed instructions. The sticky consistency has the ability to clean the most finicky areas and at the same time not completely stick to the device.
6. Water procedures. Place all the keys in a container, fill them with warm water, and add a little washing powder or detergent. Leave for a couple of hours and dry after cleaning. The main thing is to carefully check all the buttons inside. There should be no moisture or dirt left in them.

How to properly clean your keyboard

When the keyboard has already been disassembled, you need the correct algorithm for further actions:

1. We wipe the large microcircuit with a damp regular napkin. We go around the green part so as not to harm it.
2. We are cleaning the buttons from dirt.
3. The back and front covers are washed with warm water or wiped with napkins.
4. Be sure to dry all the parts well and assemble our device. If after assembly the keyboard does not work, disassemble it, check everything down to the smallest details and reassemble it.

Video tutorials: how to clean your keyboard at home

Service centers will be happy to clean your device, but isn’t it better to do the useful work yourself? Watch educational tutorial videos on how to clean your keyboard at home. Treatment of dust, spilled liquid on a laptop keyboard, superficially, without removing the keys - you will learn all these nuances by watching an informative master class.

Learn new things, take information literally “first-hand”! Professionals will share their experience with beginners in this matter. The video will reveal the nuances of choosing a method, type of liquid, and “general” cleaning. This way you can easily avoid difficulties and keep your favorite keyboard working well. Choose the method that suits you, and you will succeed the first time!

Cleaning your laptop from dust and spills

How to clean a computer keyboard without removing the keys

Over time, dust, animal hair, and debris accumulate on the surface of the buttons and in the spaces between them. In addition to an untidy appearance, such contamination can cause some keys to stick. It is recommended to clean your keyboard regularly to avoid damage.

If you haven't spilled liquid on your laptop, you can clean the surface without disassembling or removing the buttons. This applies to those models that have gaps between the keys; if they are “recessed” into the case, cleaning the laptop keyboard with your own hands without disconnecting it will not help. To complete the procedure you will need:

• soft brush (sold in computer stores);
• medical bulb (to blow out gaps);
• wet wipes.

Important: you cannot use a wet cloth, this will lead to oxidation of the contacts and failure of the device.

To clean your keyboard you need:

1. Unplug the device from the outlet and turn it off.
2. Walk over the surface with a soft brush, carefully cleaning every gap.
3. Blow out the buttons using a blower (you can use a can of compressed air instead). Another option is a hairdryer with a cold air setting. If used hot, the buttons may become deformed due to temperature. If there is a lot of dirt, you can use a vacuum cleaner.
4. Next, you need to clean the surface again with a brush.
5. Wipe each button using a damp cloth. Use them to collect the remaining waste.

Deep cleaning

In some situations, superficial “cleaning” is not enough. A deep cleaning of the laptop keyboard will be required after it has been flooded, there is a tight junction between the case and the keys, when it is not possible to disconnect them. To carry out the procedure you will need to prepare:

• container with soapy water;
• flat screwdriver or knife;
• hair dryer or vacuum cleaner;
• soft bristle brush;
• cotton swabs and alcohol.

Cleaning the keyboard is only half the battle; then you need to reassemble it. Therefore, it is recommended to take a photo before starting work. This will help you set the keys correctly. The algorithm for deep cleaning is as follows:

1. Disconnect the device from the network, remove the battery (required).
2. Use a brush to clean the connections between the laptop keys.
3. Blow off any remaining dirt with a vacuum cleaner or hairdryer. It is important that cold air must be supplied so as not to damage the buttons.
4. If the laptop keys are removable, use a knife or flathead screwdriver to remove them. Carefully pry the button on one side and pull it up. Their fastenings are made of plastic and are very fragile, so it is important not to rush and do everything extremely carefully.
5. Place everything in a container with water and detergent to remove dirt.
6. Next, you need to clean the fasteners with cotton swabs soaked in alcohol.
7. Place the washed buttons on a towel. You can dry it faster using a hairdryer (the air must be cold).
8. Place the laptop keys in their places according to the photo.

Special means

In specialized computer hardware stores you can find products that will make it easier for you to deal with debris and dust inside your laptop. For example, it is recommended to purchase:

1. Microfiber cloth. It is made of a special fabric that does not leave streaks, lint or dirt. Ideal for cleaning keys and laptop monitor.
2. Gel "Lizun" is a special tool for cleaning the keyboard. Helps in cases where the brush cannot reach all the debris. The gel-like substance easily penetrates into all joints and crevices and collects dirt from the most inaccessible places. You just need to roll it out over the keys and remove the debris from the “lime.”
3. A can of compressed air. Better than any vacuum cleaner, it will blow through cracks and get rid of dirt stuck between the buttons. Recommended for use with gel.

The keyboard is an integral part of a computer or laptop. Inattention and untimely maintenance can lead to severe contamination and sometimes damage to the device. Over time, the keys become dirty and begin to stick and sink, which is a sign that they need cleaning. How to clean a keyboard at home, get rid of dust and crumbs, and return it to its original appearance is of interest to many computer users.

Light soiling

Maintaining safety during the device cleaning process is a very important point. For this reason, you must turn off the appliance before starting cleaning. For surface contamination, you can use the following cleaning methods:

• Using a vacuum cleaner is the easiest and most affordable means of quickly cleaning keys. For this, a car vacuum cleaner with a special narrowed nozzle is best suited. If such a device is not available, you can use an ordinary household device, which must be used to carefully process the gaps between the keys.
• In stores you can purchase special cans of compressed air, which are made for cleaning hard-to-reach places of various equipment. When applying, it should be tilted at an angle and sprayed.
• A hairdryer is also suitable for these purposes. When using it, it is important to turn on the cold air mode.
• A jelly rag, called cyberlizun, is another no less effective means of combating keyboard stains. The elastic mass is able to clean even hard-to-reach holes and crevices.
• You can flip the keyboard with the buttons down, which will rid it of small debris that has accumulated under the keys.

Medium severity

In addition to clogging the device with tiny particles of dust and crumbs, its keys may develop a greasy coating over time. To get rid of such contaminants, it is recommended to use the following methods:

• Special cleaning wipes that need to be used to treat the device keys. They effectively collect dirt and help protect the keyboard case from premature wear.
• A solution with an alcohol content of more than 60% will also help rid the buttons of grease and dirt.
• It is recommended to treat the gaps between the keys with cotton swabs.
• You can try rubbing dirt that is difficult to remove with a regular eraser. It is necessary to ensure that residues from it do not fall inside the device.
• A toothbrush dipped in soap or alcohol solution can also be used to clean the keyboard. Upon completion of the procedure, wipe the device dry with a clean microfiber cloth.

Heavy soiling

Even if monthly superficial cleaning of the equipment is carried out, it is still recommended to carry out deep cleaning and disassemble the keyboard every six months. Thus, it will be possible to eliminate dirt in hard-to-reach places. Complete cleaning is carried out as follows:

• It is necessary to take a photo of the keyboard so that the keys can be easily inserted into the appropriate places.
• Then you should turn it over and use a screwdriver to unscrew all the screws.
• After detaching the top of the device, you need to gently press on the keys to remove them. The Spacebar and Shift buttons may be secured with metal pins, so they require careful handling.
• When removing the buttons, it should be taken into account that a special latch is used to secure them, which must be carefully removed.
• The removed keys must be placed in a bowl with soapy liquid or disinfectant solution. In case of severe contamination, they can additionally be rubbed with a toothbrush.
• It is advisable to rinse the upper part under running water, paying attention to hard-to-reach places.
• All parts must dry thoroughly.
• Then you should fix all the keys in their original places, connect the upper and lower parts of the keyboard and tighten the screws.
• You can connect the device to your computer and check the operation of all keys.

This method requires much more time and some skills in dismantling and installing keys. If you can’t do it yourself, you should seek help from professionals at the service center.

Cleaning the laptop keyboard

For superficial cleaning of laptop keys, the same methods as for a computer keyboard are quite suitable. Dust can be removed from the surface by wiping with a special cloth for equipment or a microfiber cloth. The holes should be cleaned with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.

More thorough cleaning can be done if it is partially disassembled. The step-by-step instructions look like this:

• You need to take a photo of the keyboard.
• Not all laptops have keys that can be easily removed, but for most popular brands such as Asus, Lenovo, Acer, Toshiba, HP, the keys can be removed quite simply, you just need to pry them off with a fingernail or a small screwdriver.
• Rinse the removed keys with running water or place them in a bowl with cleaning agent.
• The internal parts of the device should be treated with a cotton swab slightly moistened with water or blown with a can of compressed air.
• You need to assemble the keys. To do this, place the button in its place and press until a characteristic click appears.

Sometimes it happens that tea, coffee or water is spilled on the keyboard. If such a problem occurs, you must do the following:

• Immediately disconnect the equipment from the power source to avoid short circuiting.
• Turn the keyboard or laptop over so that the liquid can drain out.
• Wipe dry with a cotton cloth and dry with a hairdryer using a cold stream of air.
• Leave to dry overnight.
• In the morning, check the functionality of the device.

If too much liquid has been spilled, it is recommended to disassemble the keyboard, wipe it with alcohol and wipe dry with a soft cloth. Typically, in such cases, diagnostics are still required at a special service center. Specialists will determine the presence or absence of damage.

To extend the life of your keyboard for a long time, it is recommended to carry out a monthly superficial cleaning. Liquid poses a great danger to the device, and therefore washing the keyboard is strictly prohibited. This may lead to damage and failure of the device.

If you spilled any liquid on the keyboard and it refused to function, do not despair, cleaning it is not very difficult. The main thing is to be patient and take time. After drying, does the keyboard work again? You still need to clean it, otherwise a small problem will affect important elements of the laptop. And then you won’t get away with cleaning up the dirt.

Why you need to clean

The user is in constant contact with the keyboard while working at the laptop. But many people don't think about the fact that it needs to be cleaned. After all, the garbage is almost invisible from the outside. With active use, you can wipe the device after 10–15 days, then it will look like new. But after a year it is necessary to carry out a general cleaning. Over this period of time, not only dust, but also hair and crumbs accumulate under the buttons. And along with them are microbes harmful to health.

Tea, coffee and other drinks spilled on the keyboard are dangerous for the entire laptop. If now the computer works normally without cleaning, then after some time, for example, a couple of months, it can be thrown away. Why? The liquid penetrates through the keyboard into the case, ending up on the motherboard and contacts, which become shorted or oxidized. As a result, not only the board will suffer, but also the hard drive, processor and other components. The accumulation of dust on conductive elements also leads to a short circuit. Excess dirt and sugary drinks cause the keys to stick.

Disassembling a laptop keyboard

The most effective option for cleaning the keyboard is to remove it from the laptop, disassemble it and process every part. This method is effective, but takes a lot of time and attention. And if you assemble the device incorrectly, you will have to take the laptop to a service center. Therefore, this option is not suitable for everyone, and it is often irrational to use. Only in emergency cases, after a long period of time or when the keys are stuck. If you have not spilled liquid on the keyboard, then there is no point in disconnecting it from the laptop body. Just remove the buttons.

Cleaning the keyboard is no different for different laptop models. But the methods for removing the device from the case are different.

1. Unplug your laptop. Remove the battery.
2. ASUS laptops:
3. ACER:
   
4. HP:
   1. Place your laptop upside down. Remove the cover.
   2. Unscrew the two bolts marked with the kbd keyboard icon.
   3. Turn the laptop over. Use a flat object, such as a spatula, to pry up the corner of the keyboard near the latch. Walk along all the fastenings like this.
   4. To disconnect the cable, use a spatula to lift the black lock up.
   5. When installing the keyboard, insert the cable with the latch fully raised.
5. Lenovo:
   
6. Samsung:
   
7. Toshiba:
   

The buttons on all models are removed in the same way.

Video: how to remove large and small laptop keyboard buttons

Different ways to clean your keyboard at home

The keyboard can be cleaned superficially and deeply. The more often you carry out the first method, the less often you will need the second. You can simply remove dust with a dry cloth at least every day.

Surface or standard

Standard keyboard cleaning is a preventative option. Performed frequently: every two to three weeks. Depending on the intensity of work.

Deep cleaning

Before you begin, take a photo of your keyboard to ensure the keys are in place.

Using gel

When the brush does not help remove dust from the buttons, the Lizun cleaner can come to the rescue. It has sticky and viscous properties and spreads well over the keys and between them. With a slime you can remove not only dust, but also large crumbs. It needs to be kneaded well and distributed over the keyboard. Then grab it by the edge and remove it.

Cleaning with compressed air

Cans of highly compressed air are sold. They are very convenient for blowing through narrow spaces under the buttons, because they have a tube-shaped nozzle.

How to care for your keyboard

In order for the device to work well and preventive cleaning to be effective, you need to follow not only the care tips, but also follow some rules of behavior when working with a laptop:

• do not eat or drink near the laptop - the trajectory of the spilled drink is unpredictable;
• do not place containers with water, such as a vase of flowers, near the device;
• Before work, wash your hands with soap so that the buttons do not get dirty;
• do not hit the keys - pressing the buttons hard does not affect the typing speed, and the keyboard may be damaged.

Now about the rules of keyboard care:

• Carry out preventive cleaning every two weeks:
  • moisten a cloth with diluted isopropyl alcohol and wipe the keyboard. Alcohol will remove not only dust from the surface of the buttons, but also grease. You can use special napkins;
  • Vacuum the keyboard with a special or regular vacuum cleaner. The second one pulls out debris more powerfully;
• if crumbs, seeds or other objects get between the buttons, immediately remove them with a cotton swab or spatula;
• If the keys start to stick, carefully remove and clean them.