To prevent germs from spreading and reduce the need for deep cleaning, Angela Brown, the founder and CEO of Savvy Cleaner, suggests wiping down your laptop, monitor, and keyboard every night after using it. “This simple process [of cleaning a keyboard] takes less than two minutes to do daily and will keep a workstation clean and welcoming and keep the germs at bay,” Brown says. We researched dozens of keyboard cleaner options, evaluating them on ease of use, compatibility, safety, and value. Our favorite, the Fesciory Keyboard Cleaning Kit, includes four cleaning gel packs to quickly pick up dust and debris on the surface of your keyboard, plus five additional tools to deep-clean your keyboard. Here are the best keyboard cleaners on the market. The Fesciory set also comes with four containers of cleaning gel, which easily picks up dust and dirt without leaving behind any residue or making your hands feel sticky. Keep in mind that once you’ve opened a container of gel, it will expire in three months. The gel can be used multiple times before expiring and is biodegradable, so you don’t have to worry about it sitting in a landfill over time. In addition to the brushes and key puller in this set, the set includes a rubber blower, which expels any dust or debris in hard-to-reach places. Because the pieces included in this set are rather small, we suggest storing all of them in a bag out of reach of children or pets who may see them as toys. All in all, we think the Fesciory kit offers great value and versatility. We also like that the tools are compatible with both laptops and keyboards. In addition to cleaning keyboards, you can use this cleaning gel to detail car interiors and clean camera lenses and other sensitive electronics screens. Be sure to store the gel in a cool, dark place between uses to prevent it from drying out or expiring sooner. Overall, this cleaning set is a great choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly keyboard cleaner with multiple tools. We also love that you can use this cleaning brush to clean earbuds. The flocking sponge is an excellent tool for cleaning headphones charging cases, while the metal pin tip and high-density brush are ideal for cleaning the sound outlet holes on earbuds. However, it’s wise to use caution when cleaning with the metal pin tip, as too much pressure could damage your electronics. While we love that this cleaning brush is compact, it still has several small pieces that could be dangerous if left around small children or pets. Be sure to store this cleaning brush out of reach when not in use. Two nozzles come with this vacuum: a flat nozzle and a brush nozzle. You can use the flat nozzle to pick up dirt in the hinge of your laptop and the brush nozzle to gently clean a keyboard. You could also use this vacuum to clean car seats or a piano. This two-pack of gels also comes with a cleaning brush and a key puller to deep-clean any keyboard. The manufacturer recommends storing this cleaning gel in a cool, dry place in the airtight container when not in use. While this step helps preserve the gel, it isn’t as long-lasting as alternatives. You’ll know it’s time to switch to the next container when the cleaning gel turns a dark blue after several uses. The clear plastic cover for the microfiber cloth doubles as a tablet or phone stand for easy cleaning, and the kit comes with a replacement microfiber cloth. You can also use the mini spray bottle or one of four cleaning wipes to help remove any stubborn fingerprints. Although this cleaning tool is innovative in design, it’s rather expensive for how compact it is. Plus, it has several tiny parts that may be choking hazards for children or pets. Despite these minor concerns, we still think this product is a top-notch tool for anyone looking for all the keyboard cleaning tools they need in one gadget. We love this three-pack from Windex because it offers 75 cleaning wipes at a reasonable price in convenient, resealable packaging. The separate packages help ensure product longevity. However, the wipes may dry out over time, even with diligent resealing. To prolong the effectiveness, be sure to store any opened packages in a cool, dry place when not in use. This spray is ammonia-free and anti-static, so it won’t cause damage to the surface of your laptop or keyboard. While we love that this spray offers a streak-free finish, it’s not the best option for deep cleaning between keys or deep crevices on any electronics. However, we still recommend this spray as a great general cleaning tool for wiping down laptops and keyboards. This compressed air is also a 100 percent ozone-safe gas, so you don’t have to worry about releasing harmful chemicals into your workspace. While this product is convenient, and we appreciate its easy-to-store size, we wish it was less expensive for the amount included in the can. Despite this cost concern, it’s still a relatively inexpensive option for cleaning your computer and keyboard. If your screen or keyboard needs additional cleaning, gently wipe the cloth against the surface of the keyboard and screen (but first turn off your laptop) to remove any built-up smudges and fingerprints. Although a microfiber cloth is a convenient option for flat laptop keyboards, it may not be best for cleaning gaps in external keyboards with removable keys.
Safety
While many sites recommend using rubbing alcohol to clean keyboards, there have been reports that alcohol can damage keys, making them sticky and no longer functional. To avoid this, we recommend always checking your laptop or keyboard’s user manual or searching the manufacturer’s website for cleaning best practices. Similarly, some manufacturers advise against using compressed air on their keyboards as it can cause damage. If you’re unsure what’s best to use on your particular keyboard, a microfiber cloth or cleaning gel are both effective and safe options.
Effectiveness
If you’re looking for a keyboard cleaner that will also disinfect your keys, we recommend purchasing wipes or a spray, which often includes disinfecting ingredients. To remove grime and build-up between keys, consider cleaning with a combination of a hard bristle brush and a cleaning gel or a mini vacuum cleaner. A microfiber cloth is always a great option for spot cleaning and removing smudges and fingerprints.
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was researched and written by Emma Phelps, an updates writer for The Spruce, who has experience researching and reviewing the best tech products on the market. She researched top-rated cleaning products based on their effectiveness, compatibility, universality, and ease of use. From this list of highly-rated products, Emma then selected products you see in this roundup based on their performance in their applicable category and overall value. Emma also has extensive experience writing about cleaning best practices and interviewing cleaning professionals. If you’re cleaning an entire home office system (a keyboard, monitor, and laptop), Brown recommends switching through each “square” you’ve created in your folded cleaning cloth to prevent spreading germs and other dirt you pick up as you clean your workspace. Emma also spoke with Angela Brown, the founder and CEO of Savvy Cleaner, whose expertise offered insight into how to best clean laptops and keyboards at home. Brown is an author, podcast host, and YouTube channel host. She’s also a “cleanfluencer” who trains house cleaners and maids in 31 countries.
