Keyboards are one of the most used computer peripherals that let you input characters and functions. Food, oil, dust, sticky particles, and even germs might stay on the keyboard which can cause damage. If you're hesitant to take off the keys for cleaning, don't worry because keyboard cleaners can help.
Cleaning your keyboard is essential and should be practiced as a habit, especially if the desktop or laptop is for shared use. In this article, we've provided a buying guide and a list of the best keyboard cleaners that you can buy online.
Quick List - Top Keyboard Cleaners
Clorox Company
No-Bleach Disinfecting Wipes for Rapid Killing of Germs and Viruses
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Table of Contents
Before buying, please note that there might be a set or a kit of different kinds of keyboard cleaners in the market or a combination of them for a more effective and deep cleaning process. Below are the different types of keyboard cleaners.
Brushes are the most common tools to remove keyboard dust. They vary in size, shape, and bristle texture. For easy cleaning with just few sweeps, a big round or flat brush is for you. But, if you're going to clean the gaps of their keys thoroughly, using a small flat brush is recommended as it can fit the openings.
Deciding between soft brush bristle and stiff brush bristle when buying will also affect your cleaning process and the keyboard. A soft brush is easy to use as it is flexible - it follows the brush's movement smoothly.
On the other hand, a hard brush is also useful in sweeping dust easily, but keep in mind that it might be challenging to use if you want to use it for hard-to-reach areas. Also, when using a hard brush, make sure to clean the keyboard lightly and not harshly so that the keyboard's function will not get affected.
Suppose you want to go for deeper cleaning. In that case, vacuum cleaners and air dusters are perfect for you, especially if you don't know how to detach and attach the keys or don't want to risk taking them off.
A vacuum cleaner sucks not only solid particles but also wet particles. It is perfect for those who do not have much time to clean their keyboards. It saves energy, and exerting effort is not required as you have to move it on top of the keyboard, and it automatically does its job.
It is also a perfect tool for those people who often eat while using their laptop or desktop. However, aim for a vacuum cleaner designed mainly for keyboards, as regular vacuum cleaners might be too strong and might even remove the keys.
An air duster is also known as "canned air." It is a bottle-type cleaner, similar to a spray paint's bottle. It has a straw on its head where the air comes out after pressing.
To use it properly, aim the straw sideways on your keyboard and press it only a few times, as the air might be too strong and might pop off the keys. Do not press the duster upside down to avoid liquid coming out. Also, you can gently tap out the keyboard repeatedly for the specks of dirt to fall off.
An air duster and a vacuum cleaner are a great combo for cleaning a keyboard as the air duster loosens sticky crumbs and dirt, and the vacuum cleaner sucks it.
A gel is a soft and gooey tool to clean your keyboard in a fun way. You have to put or roll it gently on the keyboard, and the dirt and dust will stick on it. However, it should not sit on the keyboard for a long time because it might ooze inside or under the keys, so keep it moving or rolling.
The gel's service life depends on how dirty your keyboard is. Most of the gels in the market are not washable, but it can be used multiple times as long as it is not yet too dirty. It will not be effective when its color gets darker after using, meaning the gel itself is dirty. That's when you'll need to buy a new one.
If you don't want to buy a new one when your gel gets dirty, washable gels are available too. They are made with washable glue and are more efficient than the non-washable ones.
Germs and viruses are the biggest threat in people's lives nowadays, so disinfecting is necessary. It might be tiring, especially for lazy people to disinfect. It needs a thorough and detailed cleaning, but as the saying goes, "better safe than sorry."
When disinfecting the keyboard, disinfectant wipes are the most recommended wipes. If ever you can't find them in the market, there will always be an alternative product, but make sure that it does not include bleach as an ingredient to avoid keyboard damage and harmful effects on you. A cloth and rubbing alcohol is also effective.
However, keep in mind to apply alcohol on the fabric, not directly on the keyboard. Also, the material should not be soaked as the liquid can cause damage. Popping off the keys is also a safe method to disinfect the inside using a cotton swab with a little bit of rubbing alcohol on it.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Baseus Soft Gel Cleaner | ![]() | Natural Vegetable Gel for Fun and Effective Cleaning | |
2 | Clorox Company Disinfecting Wipes | ![]() | No-Bleach Disinfecting Wipes for Rapid Killing of Germs and Viruses | |
3 | Ckeyin Mini Vacuum Cleaner|J053-B | ![]() | 3-in-1 Mini Vacuum Cleaner and Blower for Multipurpose Use | |
4 | Opolar Electric Air Duster for Keyboard Cleaning | ![]() | Electric Air Duster for Anti-Pollution Usage | |
5 | VAKIND Anti-Static Brush Tool Set | ![]() | 8-Piece Brush Set for Detailed Keyboard Cleaning | |
6 | Lysol Germ Protection Wipes | ![]() | Disinfecting Wipes for Cleaning and Killing Germs and Bacteria in the Keyboard | |
7 | Falcon Dust Off Electronic Duster | ![]() | 100% Ozone Safe Electronic Duster for Removing Dust and Dirt from Hard to Reach Areas | |
8 | AutoBot Mini Handheld Vacuum Cleaner|ABVM001 | ![]() | Portable and Recharegable Vacuum Cleaner for Suctioning Dirt | |
9 | Vktech Super Clean Slime|Dust Cleaner Slimy Gel Wiper | ![]() | Gooey Keyboard Cleaner for Cleaning Concave and Convex Seams | |
10 | Perfect Life Keyboard Brush | ![]() | Mini 2-in-1 Brush with Dustpan for Easy Dust Cleaning |
Baseus' soft cleaning gel will keep the things around you clean and away from bacteria. This product has natural vegetable gum fragrance such as aloe vera gel, guar gum, water, and glycerin. It is effective in picking dust or dirt that hard to reach or surface.
This comes with an antimicrobial glove that gives you comfort and peace of mind while cleaning. After using the product, the soft rubber can be stored inside the gloves to prevent drying out. It has stable properties and is not easy to deteriorate.
Also, this product passed the quality and security test, so rest assured of high quality. Take note that you should not use it when its color turns to grey, as it means that the gel is dirty and not effective.
Clorox's disinfecting wipes come in a triple-layered technology for killing germs and viruses in just 30 seconds. It can deodorize and clean wood, sealed granite, and stainless steel surfaces as it has a 5x cleaning feature. Each wipe is durable yet soft, so it is perfect for an intense cleaning method.
This contains no harmful chemicals like bleach, so it is safe to use for anything, especially for a keyboard that you touch every day. You can choose between a lemon scent or a fresh scent according to your preference, but rest assured that it cannot irritate the skin or overwhelm the senses.
This 3-in-1 mini vacuum cleaner can also be a dust blower. Its head can be changed with a vacuum head, blower head, and brush head. It has a rechargeable 2000mAh battery that can be charged and used up to 1000 times. It also has a fast-charging feature.
The vacuum has a detachable HEPA filter net for a convenient water wash when the filter is dirty. It is ultra-lightweight and space-saving, so it can be used anytime and anywhere. It also has a strong 2.0kpa wind power that makes the suction powerful yet safe to use. However, keep in mind that this vacuum cleaner cannot be used for liquid suctioning and blowing.
This Opolar air duster is a comfortable and handy product for cleaning dust, dirt, and even drying out liquids. It helps you clean concealed, narrow, and hard-to-reach areas, and it can clean the smaller dust particles with its high-pressure motor.
This can be used continuously and it can be used at any angle. What's special about this air duster is that it doesn't contain or release chemicals or greenhouse gasses. It blows the same air you are breathing, so you're sure that it is safe to use even for children
It can be charged using a USB cord, and it only uses 10 watts, so there's no need to worry about increased electricity bills.
These anti-static brushes allow you to clean your electronics without affecting their functions. The brushes are mainly used for cleaning keyboards or hard to reach areas. It can sweep off dust and dirt with ease.
Lysol is one of the most trusted brands for germ protection. Keyboards are sensitive to liquids, but thankfully, Lysol offers a wipes version for disinfecting. It can kill 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. The wipes are not too wet, so it is perfect to use for keyboard cleaning.
Also, it has an anti-odor feature that eliminates bacteria that can form an unpleasant smell. It is dermatologist tested and highly recommended by doctors because it has a soft texture and won't irritate your skin.
This air duster removes dust, lint, and other contaminants from hard to reach areas, making it ideal for cleaning cups, keyboards, computer mice, and workstations. It can also be used for cleaning items around the house, including collectibles, figurines, and window blinds.
It is 100% Ozone safe containing no CFCs, huffs, propane, or butane. It also contains a bitterant to discourage inhalant abuse. Even though it is smaller than the usual models, it still has the same blasting power as the larger ones, allowing you to have an easy and handy cleaning process.
This mini multi-purpose handheld cordless vacuum is USB rechargeable. The flip cover system makes it easy to remove dust only by one click. It also has an ergonomic design and it has the same diameter as a modern can.
The double filtration system has a stainless steel filter plus a HEPA filter that makes the vacuum more efficient at suctioning off dirt and dust. The metal fan brings lasting power, and it comes with a 2000mAh battery that lasts for 25-28 minutes of continuous use.
Want to have fun while cleaning? Then this gooey cleaner is the one for you. It is very good for cleaning keyboards as it can ooze and reach the gaps of the keys, getting the stuck debris, dirt, and dust out of your keyboard. Aside from cleaning the keyboard, it can also be used for cleaning other things like cameras and phones.
It has a strong viscosity and toughness, providing long-lasting usage. To save it for another use, it is sealed with an aluminum film. Put the putty back in the jar after using it to help preserve the longevity of the slime.
This cute brush from Perfect Life is all you'll need, especially if your keyboard is dusty. It is 2-in-1: it has a brush and a detachable mini dustpan. The bristle is flat and not too stiff. It can fit the gaps of the keys and easily remove large dust particles underneath.
Take note that this is only for sweeping off dust and not for liquids. It is also only for light cleaning, but you can partner this with an air duster if you want an intense cleaning. Many buyers are satisfied with this product as it does its job well, and it is portable and hassle-free to use.
Sure, cleaning up is a tiring process but not when you have reliable and convenient cleaning partners that might even give you the motivation to clean. As the saying goes, "A clean home is a happy home". Check out more items to help you clean up the mess by reading our other articles below.
Author: Roel Pillas Malubay
No. 1: Baseus|Soft Gel Cleaner
No. 2: Clorox Company|Disinfecting Wipes
No. 3: Ckeyin|Mini Vacuum Cleaner|J053-B
No. 4: Opolar|Electric Air Duster for Keyboard Cleaning
No. 5: VAKIND|Anti-Static Brush Tool Set
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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