As a mechanical keyboard seller, we often receive some emails mentioning there occurs some issues with the keyboard, while after cleaning the keyboard, it is still useless. Is there any relationship between keyboard cleaning and keyboard issue? How often do you clean your mechanical keyboard? Why is it important to clean and maintain a mechanical keyboard? If you are a office user or gamer or the Keyboard enthusiasts starter, let’s move forward on how to clean mechanical keyboard.
一、Why cleaning and maintaining a mechanical keyboard is important
1、keep keyboard in good condition
Regular cleaning and maintenance are essential for keeping a mechanical keyboard in good condition, take a 75% mechanical keyboard as example. Due to its compact layout, a 75 keyboard places keys closer together, making it easier for dust, crumbs, and debris to accumulate between switches and keycaps. During the cleaning, we might find some tiny issue of the keyboards, like loosing switches or the loosing sockets of the PCB. Solving the issues in advance to avoid more problems on our computer keyboards.
2、Extend the switch and keycap lifespan
Over time, dirt buildup can affect key responsiveness, typing feel, and switch sound. For mechanical keyboards with hot-swappable switches, poor maintenance may also reduce switch lifespan and cause inconsistent keystrokes.
3、improve typing feeling and sound
Proper cleaning helps preserve the smooth typing experience, maintain consistent sound profiles, and extend the overall lifespan of your keyboard. If the dust piles up in the switches, it will badly affect the switch bounce and feedback, reduce the smooth and solid typing sound. For users who rely on a mechanical keyboard for work, gaming, or daily typing, regular maintenance ensures long-term performance.
4、keep keyboard in good appearance
A clean keyboard improves desk aesthetics and user experience. Whether for daily work, gaming, or content creation, a well-maintained keyboard looks better, feels better, and performs more consistently.
A clean mechanical keyboard makes the desk look better, no matter for taking photo, making video or keyboard reviewing. Even we will feel better when typing on clean keyboards.
5、improve desk typing environment
Our daily using keyboards are surprisingly more prone to accumulating dust than we might think. That’s why every kzzi keyboard is equipped with a transparent plastic dust cover. And you will amazingly find how many dander or grease will leave inside the keyboard. It won’t be found or cleaned unless you disassemble your daily using keyboard.
二、Tools we can use for mechanical keyboard
1、keycap puller for the first layer of mechanical keyboard
2、Switch puller for the second layer fo a mechanical keyboard
3、Soft brush
4、mini dryer
5、Microfiber cloth
6、Isopropyl alcohol (70%+)
7、Small bowl to store the keycap and switches in case some is missing
To remove the surface dust, it is necessary to prepare a soft brush or a mini dryer to clean the debris on the surface of position plate. In order to clean deeper, we also need a screwdriver to disassemble the other parts of accessory. We will introduce how to clean a hot swap keyboard step by step in the following.
三、When and How Often Should we clean a mechanical keyboard
Knowing how often to clean a mechanical keyboard is just as important as knowing how to clean it. Regular mechanical keyboard cleaning helps maintain consistent performance, typing comfort, and long-term durability.
For most users, light surface cleaning should be done weekly to remove dust and debris, while a deeper cleaning is recommended every one to three months, depending on usage.
If you use your mechanical keyboard daily for work or gaming, eat at your desk, or have pets, more frequent cleaning may be necessary. Signs that your keyboard needs cleaning include sticky keys, inconsistent typing feel, unusual switch sounds, or visible dust between keycaps.
By cleaning a mechanical keyboard at the right time, users can prevent long-term damage, extend switch lifespan, and maintain a clean and comfortable typing environment. Making keyboard cleaning part of a regular maintenance routine ensures better performance and a more enjoyable typing experience.
四、Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboards cleaning
1. Power Off and Unplug the wired or wireless Keyboard
Always disconnect the keyboard before cleaning to avoid electrical damage or short circuits.
2. Remove Keycaps
Use a keycap puller to gently remove all keycaps.
Place them in a bowl for later cleaning.
Tip: Take a quick photo before remove them, to put them in the original places quickly after cleaning.
3. Remove the Switches (Hot-Swap Only)
Using a switch puller, carefully remove each switch straight up. We need to avoid twisting to prevent bending the pins.
This step allows deeper cleaning and is one of the main advantages of a hot-swap mechanical keyboard.
4. Clean the Keyboard Plate and PCB
Use compressed air or a soft brush to remove dust and debris, wipe the plate gently with a microfiber cloth. For stubborn dirt, lightly dampen the cloth with isopropyl alcohol (70%+)
Note: Do not pour any liquid onto the PCB, which will cause PCB broken totally.
5. Clean the Switches (Optional)
If switches are dusty, we can gently brush the outside housing. Normally there is anti-dust design for the switch, it is ok to avoid opening switches unless we plan to lube the switches. And To know how to lube the mechanical switch, we will publish a step guide next time. For silent or tactile switches, be extra gentle to protect internal components. Since there need extra component to get the silent or the tactile style.
6. Wash and Dry the Keycaps
Soak keycaps in warm water with mild soap,rinse thoroughly, let them air-dry completely (at least 12–24 hours).
7. Reinstall Switches and Keycaps
Make sure switch pins are straight, press switches firmly into the sockets. And reinstall keycaps according to the layout
8. Final Check
Reconnect the keyboard and test all the keys to ensure everything works properly. Here is a key press test website
五、How to clean a low-profile mechanical keyboard
A low-profile mechanical keyboard requires special care when cleaning due to its slimmer design and shorter switch travel. The filling material inside is so thin that it is damaged easily if we do not care it much when disassembling the low profile keyboard.
六、Magnetic Switch (Hall Effect) Keyboards maintenance
Magnetic switch keyboards, also known as Hall Effect keyboards, like G68 or Ares98 uses contactless sensors instead of traditional metal contacts to detect key presses. This design offers faster response, adjustable actuation, and longer durability—but proper maintenance is still essential to ensure stable performance and long-term accuracy. Avoid using metal tools near the switches, as magnets and sensors are sensitive components.
七、Storage and Daily Care Tips:
1、Keep the keyboard in a clean, dry environment
2、Avoid strong magnetic objects near the keyboard
3、Wash hands before long typing sessions to reduce oil buildup
4、Use a keyboard cover when not in use
八、Conclusion
All in all, regular keyboard cleaning not only keeps a mechanical keyboard working properly, but also improves typing feel, sound consistency, hygiene, and overall desk aesthetics. It helps extend the lifespan of switches and keycaps while creating a cleaner and more comfortable workspace. Let’s clean our mechanical keyboards on time. For more question, welcome to chat with online customer service of kzzi mechanical keyboard.