The best keyboard cleaner in 2024

Stop reading, tip your keyboard upside-down, and give it a shake – you’ll soon be reaching for the best keyboard cleaner you can get your hands on. Considering the amount of time we spend at our desks, it should come as no surprise that our keyboards get pretty filthy – dust, skin flakes, coffee spills, and biscuit crumbs all find their way into the nooks and crannies of your keyboards. At best it's a bit gross, at worst this grime can start to impact your keyboard's performance. After spending a not-so-small wad of cash on one of the best keyboards known to science, surely it’s time for some TLC?

But what kind of keyboard cleaning kit will suit your gear? After all, not all keyboards are alike. It may be a laptop keyboard with low-profile keys or an ergonomic model with lots of gaps and dust traps. Even the humble budget keyboard needs some care to keep soldiering through your working day. A good clean can make any keyboard look better, feel more responsive and last longer.

Best keyboard cleaner in 2024 at a glance:

• The best overall keyboard cleaner: AF Air Duster Sprayduster - View at Amazon
• The best multi-use keyboard cleaner: Sterlix Air Duster Can - View at Amazon
• The best keyboard cleaner tool kit: Ordilend Laptop Screen Keyboard Cleaner Kit - View at Amazon

Thankfully, not every keyboard cleaning method requires a screwdriver. The keycaps can often be easily removed for a deep clean. Sometimes, you might need to break out the putty-like keyboard cleaning gel to deal with those errant particles quickly. If you’re a light keyboard user, chances are you won’t need to get more involved than a dusting and a wipe-over. But even then, you’ll need the right technique and basic supplies. Gaming keyboard users and office workers, however, are likely to need a more aggressive approach, especially if they’re eating while working into the small hours.

We’ve picked many keyboard cleaner options, from quick fixes to sprays and 7-in-1 keyboard cleaning kits. Plus, we’ve put together a buyer's guide and cleaning tips to take the stress out of the whole process. So, shake out those crumbs, pull off some keycaps, and let’s get busy with the best keyboard cleaner products for you.

The best keyboard cleaner in 2024:

All prices are correct at the time of writing. Prices, stock and deals are subject to change without notice.

Best keyboard cleaning tips

How to thoroughly clean your keyboard

Using a keyboard cleaning kit with seven or more tools can really help to degunk those crevices and polish up those keys. The first port of call here is to remove each keycap if you can. We’ve detailed the best ways to do this based on your key type below. But before you get started, there’s one crucial step to take:

Photograph your keyboard

That’s right, give your keyboard the selfie it deserves - you’ll need to be able to refer to this when you pop each key back in after cleaning. Then, either remove any batteries or simply unplug the keyboard from any attached devices. This will mean you can clean the battery compartment if needed (especially if there’s been any slight battery leakage) and, of course, prevent you from accidentally typing something like:

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as you clean it.

Once the keycaps are off, we recommend dropping them into a bowl of lukewarm water with a couple of drops of washing-up liquid. Leaving them to soak while you work on the rest is a good idea.

Clean the keyboard itself

Next, turn your attention to the actual keyboard. Decide on your cleaning weapon of choice. This depends on whether the board is a mechanical one or a rubber membrane, and how dirty it is. If you have any spilt liquids that have turned sticky, you may want to use a cotton bud (or Q-tip) with some isopropyl alcohol or just dampened with lukewarm water. Removing those areas first, then letting things dry off, will deal with the worst.

Then look at any debris and dust. How you deal with this is very much down to you, but tipping it upside down and giving it a light tap will dislodge the largest dirt. Next, you might use an air duster in short sharp bursts to blow debris from gaps and grooves; or a handheld keyboard vacuum with a small brush or slim attachment to really get behind all those nooks and crannies. Alternatively, you might decide that squashing a large blob of tacky keyboard cleaning gel into those hard-to-reach areas is the way to go.

When you’re happy that you’ve dealt with all of the dirt and dust, give the whole keyboard a wipe-over with a microfibre cloth - cleaning fluid optional.

Lastly, clean up those keycaps

Now, back to that bowl of detached keycaps you’ve had in soak. We recommend using a medium-rated toothbrush to gently scrub each key, getting right into the cavities on the underside. Rinse each one well in clean water and set out to dry. It’s tempting to lay each key upside down, but you’ll only trap water in the connector structures that way. So, lay them right side up on some paper towel, preferably in the sunshine, to dry naturally.

When completely dry, you can enjoy the satisfaction of slotting each key back into place, using that photo you took earlier as a reference.

How to clean your keyboard without removing keys

Follow the same steps as above, but this time you’ll need to use damp cotton buds to carefully sweep between each key. Then dry any excess off with a microfibre cloth before tipping the keyboard upside down with gentle taps and light shaking.

Next, as you haven’t opted to remove your keycaps, gel keyboard cleaners are probably your best option. But you may need to be patient and use it with precision to really get rid of the most stubborn particles of grime. But a better option is a handheld keyboard vacuum or air duster. Resist using an air duster can upside down - the flow is excellent, but forms pools of freezing liquid underneath the keys. It will evaporate, but we think it’s just a messy way to do things.

Finally, once you’re happy that any loose debris and dust have been dealt with, give the keycaps a thorough wipe with a microfibre cloth. If you need to, spray some water lightly onto the cloth (not onto the keyboard directly) to really get them clean. Wipe the rest of the keyboard, including the underside and any rubber feet or wrist rests with the damp cloth, and you’re done.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

• Photograph your keyboard before removing the keycaps
• Take out any batteries or unplug them before you start cleaning
• Have all of your cleaning tools ready plus paper towels to quickly soak up any excess cleaning fluid
• Use a handheld vacuum specially designed for keyboards if you need to
• Or use a can of compressed air to dust hard-to-reach areas
• Make sure everything is bone dry before you plug back in

Don't:

• Use a household vacuum cleaner as a shortcut - you’ll lose keys or even do some damage
• Use any abrasive cleaning products, including scouring pads
• Use chemical cleaners (other than those designed for keyboards) as you risk removing the printing from the keys or denaturing the plastic
• Over-spray compressed air or use the can upside down, as it can create pools of super-cold liquid that could do some damage to inner circuitry or membranes
• Pour or spray anything onto the keyboard itself, even if it’s labelled as splashproof

Best keyboard cleaner in 2024: Buyer’s guide

Your buying decision is really all about a few assessments you’ll need to make. It’s very easy to over-buy when it comes to cleaning gadgets, sprays and cloths. Our advice is to only buy what you’re most likely to need.

Decide whether your keyboard is worth cleaning

If your keyboard has generally seen better days (or is frankly too grubby to even attempt to clean) perhaps you should consider a replacement. Keyboards are generally one of the least expensive peripherals. But, you can also spend a lot of money on premium boards, like the best keyboards from Razer and the like. They can look fantastic and feel great to use. That’s particularly true if you’re looking to streamline your work using customisable keys and dedicated buttons for media; or for gamers looking for a responsive mechanical keyboard with lighting. So, before you spend your hard-earned on a lot of cleaning products, perhaps an upgrade is overdue.

Examine your keyboard first

Assess where the dust and dirt are. Some users are meticulously clean when it comes to their workspaces, and those may only feel the need to give the keyboard a light dusting and wipe-over. Others may turn their keyboard upside down to discover that they’ve tipped out a year’s worth of crumbs from all those working lunches you’ve had. The likelihood here is that, if possible, a deep clean is needed and a 7-in-1 or more kit is ideal. Either way, the keyboard cleaner you choose should be up to the task.

Decide whether you’re brave enough to deep-clean

Removing the keys from any keyboard, including wired or wireless keyboards, can be a slightly nerve-wracking procedure. You’re unlikely to break anything, but using the right tool for your type of keyboard is essential. A low-profile scissor-switch key is quite different from a Cherry MX mechanical switch. But don’t let the jargon put you off. Essentially every type of key, given the right kind of prying, will literally ping off and land somewhere. They’ll clip back on just as easily. The key here is to know how best to remove your key. Here’s a quick guide:

Mechanical keyboards

Perhaps the easiest to remove, it’s best to do so with the right tool. A keycap puller will grip the side of the keys softly so that they’re pulled off cleanly and evenly. This will avoid trying to lift one side at once and potentially shearing the plastic or pulling out the underlying mechanical switch. Keycap pullers are often included with mechanical keyboards, but you can also find them online.

Scissor-switch, or low-profile, keyboards

Low-profile keys, sometimes called Chiclets, operate with mechanical ‘scissor action’ hinges over the top of a traditional membrane.

The keycaps are easily removed by using anything non-abrasive underneath the top edge of each keycap to pop the lugs out of the cap’s clips.

Membrane keyboards

Not all membrane keyboards have detachable keys, but if they are it’s easily tested. Normally, there are two small clips on the left and right of the underside of each cap. Using a non-abrasive tool underneath each side and applying gentle force should pop it out of the board. As always, don’t use too much force - they’re normally easily removed. Some cheaper keyboards are made as one unit with fixed keys - in which case a proper deep clean will probably be impossible. We recommend upgrading to something newer and more reliable, like keyboards from Logitech and the like.

Best keyboard cleaner in 2024: FAQs

When should I clean my keyboard?

Really this is up to you. Some people are happy to use a keyboard for months before they consider cleaning it. Keep an eye on any large pieces of debris or sticky spillages that could affect the operation of the keys. If a key is sticking slightly when pressed, you should break open the cleaning supplies before it gets worse.

Is keyboard cleaner compressed air?

Yes, but it’s just one of many methods of cleaning loose dirt, fibres and dust from any piece of equipment. It’s not meant to replace a more thorough clean. However, it is ideal for anyone who wants to avoid vacuuming their tech or taking things apart, as it can reach some fairly narrow and inaccessible spaces.

Is keyboard cleaner spray safe?

As always with anything that may contain chemicals, read the label and pay attention to any warnings or usage advice. In general, though, most dedicated keyboard cleaning sprays are fine for everyday use as long as you follow the instructions.

Does keyboard cleaning gel work?

Yes, and no. Gel is an excellent, flexible and quick tool for removing debris from hard-to-reach places. But, it won’t really clean as it goes - it’ll only remove loose dirt. Despite being squidgy, it also won’t reach as far as, say, compressed air, for getting underneath things. We think it’s a great invention for general everyday keyboard maintenance, as you can grab it after tipping your keyboard upside down, and tackle the remnants of that messy lunch you just ate.

Chris Duffill is a Tech Product Writer for What's The Best and Yours. His background includes writing, editorial, marketing, design, video production and photography.

He specialises in home entertainment and audiovisual tech, including speakers, amplifiers, turntables, streaming media players, and TVs. He is also one of our resident experts in computing (PCs, tablets, smartphones, smartwatches), DSLR photography and all kinds of digital cameras. He also writes about retro gaming, game consoles and various electronic gadgets. If it plugs in, lights up or makes a noise, he’ll write about it.

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