You’ve likely heard that your keyboard could be dirtier than a toilet seat – but are the rumors accurate? Levels of germs on a keyboard vary, but are often quite high. Some keyboards that have been tested have, in fact, shown levels of germs five times higher than germs found on a toilet.

If that alone doesn’t make you want to clean your keyboard, the fact that you use it on a daily basis should be. The germs that accumulate due to sickness, food, and just everyday bacteria can quickly add up and spread to other items on your desk. Luckily, we have some advice that can help you clean your keyboard quickly and effectively.

Detach the keyboard
No matter what cleaning method you use, it’s vital that you detach the keyboard first. This can prevent you from accidentally performing certain actions on your computer. It also prevents damage to your computer, which could be expensive.

For a quick fix
Try utilizing a can of compressed air to get out any loose debris that has accumulated inside your keyboard. We’ve all seen how grimy it gets underneath those keys, and this gets rid of the majority of that dirt in just a few seconds.

Spray the compressed air while your keyboard is upside down and tap the keyboard until you see loose dirt fall out. You might have to do this a few times in order to get rid of the majority of the debris. To make sure you’re really getting it clean, dip a cotton swab in isopropyl alcohol and swab the edges of the keys.

For a more thorough cleaning
If simply cleaning out the dirt isn’t sufficient for you, you can remove the keys for a more squeaky-clean keyboard. The keys can be removed by gently prying them up with a small screwdriver or something similar.

Once the keys have been removed, you should utilize the can of compressed air to remove all of the loose dirt. Then wipe the entire keyboard with a damp cloth. Finally, clean all of the keys with isopropyl alcohol to get a more serious clean.

After a spill
If you’re simply doing a little damage control after a spill, the solution is simple. Unplug the keyboard, turn it upside down right away and put a cloth underneath it to soak up all of the excess liquid. You will then want to leave the keyboard upside down for as long as possible to ensure that it is completely dry.