Breaking the first rule of mechanical keyboards, which is don’t put food and drinks next to them, is common. Most people like to enjoy a little refreshment as they work, create, and type. But breaking the second rule of mechanical keyboards, that being don’t spill anything inside of them, is both more rare and more serious.

Whether the mishap involved a liquid spill or a bunch of small particles, that keyboard is going to need to be cleaned. And it’s wise to do a full clean every six months or so, just to get any dust, hair, lint, or fine particles out of there.

This guide will explain how to deal with both spills and routine maintenance, as it covers how to clean a mechanical keyboard.

Cleaning Up a Mechanical Keyboard Spill

Act quickly, but don’t panic.

1. Unplug the keyboard. If it has an on/off switch, turn it off. This is always the first step. Keyboard damage under power is far more severe than any kind of unpowered soaking damage.
2. Invert the keyboard. Flip the keyboard over on top of a towel, or whatever cheap dry thing that is on hand. Preferably something that can be put into the washing machine later.
3. Clean up the surface spill. Using a soft dry towel or some paper towels, clean and dry the exterior. As the process continues, the owner may need to repeat this step.
4. Gently shake over the towel. Without using significant force, rock and gently shake the keyboard over a towel, still inverted. This should get the final stubborn drops out.
5. Dry the keyboard. Never use extreme heat on a keyboard. Setting it near a radiator is fine. Setting it directly on a radiator is bad. Periodically using a low heat hair dryer on the keys is fine. Using a high heat hair drier is bad. Keep away from ovens and microwaves… this is a keyboard, not a hunk of meat. Keep away from washing machines and dishwashers. The drying process could take a day, or it could take two.
6. Deal with the sticky keys. In the case of a non-water spill, keys may still be sticking. Remove the keys in accordance with the keyboard’s manual, or check for a FAQ online. Clean the sticking keys that were removed with a damp towel. For the switch itself, use isopropyl alcohol and swabs. Use a minimal amount of alcohol, and work the key action it is being cleaned. Do this for each sticky key, reassemble, and allow the alcohol to evaporate for an hour.

If the keyboard still isn’t working after this, there are a few grim options.

One could try taking it completely apart, desoldering the offending switches, and searching for dirty or damaged contact points. They can clean the dirty ones with isopropyl alcohol and swabs, resolder, and see if it works. Or if they see damaged or fading contact points, clean with isopropyl alcohol and swabs, redraw with a conductive silver trace pen, resolder, and see if it works. These methods void the warranty.

They can try a more ‘controlled’ bath. Warm, almost hot water, with all the keys removed. Re-dip the keyboard, rapidly pressing at all of the sticky contacts. Then let it soak for a minute. Then repeat the process starting at step 1.

If none of this works, skip to the bottom of the article and read the ‘If All Else Fails’ section.

How to Clean a Mechanical Keyboard as Maintenance

If it wasn’t a spill, or it was a dry spill like some kind of dust or powder, normal cleaning methods will work.

1. Unplug keyboard. If it has a switch, switch to the off position.
2. Remove all of the keycaps. Use the removal tool that came with the keyboard, or a well bent paperclip in emergencies.
3. Soak the keycaps in a mild detergent. A small bowl of warm water with a few drops of laundry detergent or a pinch of laundry powder, for example. It should feel slick, but not sudsy. Half an hour of soaking should do.
4. Clean each cap with a smooth sponge. This is just to get the main gunk off while you still have the slightly soapy water to work with.
5. Polish each cap with a soft cloth. This is where the detail work is done. Work until fully dry, set aside. If still damp, use a hair drier on low, at a safe distance, to gently finish the drying process.
6. Invert capless board and shake gently over empty sink. Just to get the easy dust and hair out. Make sure the sink or tub is empty and dry.
7. Use a stiff brush to sweep over capless board. Exactly how the barber sweeps away hair and dust. Do this at an angle over an empty, dry sink or tub.
8. Blow out with canned air or use a hand vacuum. Now take care of the persistent little bits and the hard to reach corner with canned air or a little vacuum nozzle. Do not invert canned air, always use upright.
9. If required, fine detail work with a foam tipped swab. You can use cotton in a pinch, but it can leave annoying little strands in its wake.
10. Reassemble and enjoy. Make sure all parts are dry and well detailed before reassembly.

In particularly bad powder spills, such as a load of cheese snack dust, a bunch of flour, etc., canned air is highly suggested. Remove all of the keycaps (and start soaking if required) before blowing out the board. Using it over a tub with the shower curtain drawn will prevent the spread of a dust cloud to other things. Do not invert the can, as this can cause freezing vapor to shoot out, freezing the dust to the keyboard. Once things are under control, do the full cleaning as ordered above, including keycaps if required.

For most models, that’s it. That’s how to clean a mechanical keyboard.

If All Else Fails

If the keyboard is truly gone, please observe a moment of somber silence. Remember all of the good times. Then consider pre-ordering one of the most amazing split, mechanical ergonomic wireless keyboards on the market: The Hakkei Riven.