How often should I clean my keyboard?

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How often should I clean my keyboard?

Been having lots of problems with my keyboard. Apparently it is fixed by cleaning it. I used eyeglass lens clean pre-sprayed on a microfiber cloth. I then cleaned the entire keyboard, screen and case. I have an air compressor and then I used it around the 'problem' keys (y,u, 7, the center of the keyboard but went over each key with it and made sure it blew around the edges of each key where it was set in the machine. I went over it quite a few times (5 maybe) and it seems to have stopped the problem. I also blew out the vent at the hinge as well. Initially the problem was erasing what I've typed grrr!!!. Even erasing entire paragraphs. I use the compressor for a lot of cleaning projects around the house, shed, office and vehicles. It gets to places where a broom, vacuum or anyting else just won't dislodge the dirt.

I plan to do this once a month. I did not realize how much dirt and stuff accumulates on the machine until I cleaned it. Looks new.

Eyeglass lens cleaner seems to be a safe and inexpensive product for such plastics (MacBook) Mine is white with plastic keyboard.

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Mar 18, 2012 1:17 PM

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Answer 1

Mar 18, 2012 1:41 PM in response to Hawkmom

Apple keyboards don't need to be scrubbed down. It's designed to not get any dirt inside. Plus you can't get anything out of it since the keys aren't easy to remove as a standard keyboard is. Standard keyboards you do need to clean out regularly. You can clean it once a year or unless you end up getting something inside the keyboard like a nut and it's jamming the keyboard from pressing any buttons.

An air compressor is fine as long as you hold it upright. If you place it downwards it will spray cold liquid into the keyboard that may damage the circuits. You can also shake standard keyboards and the dirt will fly out of it.

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Answer 2

Mar 18, 2012 2:05 PM in response to Hawkmom

There are two aspects here:

1. cleaning as a necessity for good functioning; no need with Apple keyboards, as Joe Z noted.

2. cleaning for the sake of being clean, not dirty, just a visual comfort and, why not, a medical behavior, as doctor Oz says. Use a soft, clean piece of cloth and a small quantity of spirit, usual medical spirit or alcohol is just fine, but use in small quantities. Note that if any liquid gets to contacts, you may destroy your keyboard.

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