Mechanical keyboards need maintenance to last longer and to function properly. Food crumbs, pollen, water splashes, and mold are causes that have created issues with your keyboard because these particles make contacts between the switches not functioning properly.
For all of you who have mechanical keyboards, we’re going to share some advice for you to take care of your favorite mechanical keyboard in this article. Yeah, no matter how costly it is, you have to take care of it to last forever and be used for a long time. However, before we dive into tips on how you can take proper care of your mechanical keyboard, we need to know what exactly a mechanical keyboard is and why you should take care of it. So let’s go!
What is a mechanical keyboard?
A mechanical keyboard is a high-quality, usually spring-activated key switch built-in keyboard. These key switches differ depending on the program or user habits of the keyboard.
While some of the first commonly sold keyboards, such as IBM’s Model M, had used mechanical switches in the 1980s, the 1990s brought on a surge of cheap rubber dome keyboards that saturated the keyboard market. Rubber dome keyboards constitute more than 90% of the keyboards today and deliver an inexpensive yet unpleasant feel and typing experience.
In every way, mechanical keyboards raise the bar. Mechanical keyboard switches, frames, functionality, style of printing methods, key construction, PCB board, LED lighting (sharpness, brightness, adjustability) and a host of other features are much superior to conventional rubber dome keyboards. Much of these charges boil down to one thing-feel it. Mechanical keyboards just sound different than rubber dome keyboards.
Why Should You Care Your Mechanical Keyboard?
Looking after your laptop or PC not only keeps the appliances in pristine condition, it also prolongs the life cycle and saves you money in the long run. The keyboard, also known as a human interface system, is one of your laptop or PC’s main components. Proper maintenance and cleaning will prevent loss and ensure that the keyboard is in good working order. Before conducting any cleaning activities on your keyboard, make sure you turn off your laptop or PC before proceeding.
Cleaning your mechanical keyboard regularly is recommended instead of completely clean, so it will take less time. We suggest that you clean all the keys with a moist cloth every week, even use a vacuum to eliminate dust and dirt between the keys to malfunction. Specialist keyboard cleaning kits are available to execute these duties, including mini vacuum cleaners, wipers and other equipment to keep the keyboard in complete working order.
Although not recommended for laptops, you may tip the keyboard upside down and shake it well to remove the more persistent dirt and debris. It is also important to note that when you clean the keys, it is better to use either a wet cloth or a special cleaning solvent that will not damage the keys if you use cleaning agents to strip the lettering. Another useful tool, if you don’t want to pay for a specialized keyboard cleaning kit, is an old toothbrush, which is an easy way to loosen dirt and dust between both the keys.
Things you shouldn’t do to a mechanical keyboard
- 1. Spill Something
It’s kind of a no-brainer, but liquids of any kind don’t mix well with electronic gadgets, and depending on the situation, a spilt drink can be a substitute for your precious keyboard. The best way to avoid spills is to avoid getting liquids on your desk. But let’s be honest, if you’ve been stuck at your desk for a long time, you’ll eventually end up taking a snack or a drink to your desk, and the spills will happen. Luckily, if you get a leak, there are a few things you can do. First, unplug your keyboard to avoid electrical damage and clean as much liquid as possible with rags, towels, or flipping your keyboard upside down on a towel.
Depends on the type of keyboard and the type of liquid that has been spilt, you can need to cut keycaps for deeper cleaning. Different keyboards have different steps to detach components, so you need to look at your particular manufacturer and model maintenance guide.
- 2. Do not forget to Clean
You didn’t buy a mechanical keyboard because it was affordable. You purchased it because you wanted to invest in new equipment meant to last a long time. If you don’t have sufficient maintenance, you can encounter any performance problems such as sticky keys or minimize your keyboard’s life. Extra, have you ever seen keyboards that haven’t been washed for a long time? They might get pretty gross. Make daily cleaning a part of your routine to prevent your keyboard from accumulating germs, grime, and dirt.
- 3. Clean Incorrectly
Even though you’re obviously supposed to clean your keyboard once in a while, you better do it the right way, or you could inadvertently destroy your keyboard. Often review what your manufacturer recommends cleaning, particularly when using chemicals such as isopropyl alcohol or extracting troublesome sections such as larger keys. What works with one keyboard could ruin another keyboard.
- 4. Rage Smash
It’s super irritating when your squad is losing a tight game, or you’re dying in the last boss battle, but try not to have it on your keyboard. Repeatedly pressing keys faster than necessary or striking your palm or another object keyboard will lead to damaged keys or switches that can be difficult or expensive to repair. Learn to alleviate tension in other ways that do not include raging on the keyboard.
- 5. Transport Incorrectly
Incorrectly transporting the keyboard will lead to related problems such as cracking frustration, such as broken switches or keycaps. Next time you need to move your computer, make sure to shield your keyboard from additional damage by using a snug case to minimize the effects. Keyboard slings are perfect lightweight features that secure your keyboard and make it easy to hold. Some of them do secure your other game devices, such as your mouse, cables and headphones.
- 6. Avoid Dirty or Oily Hands
You have to work on the keyboard for hours on end. You might be typing something long, or you might be enjoying a marathon online gaming session. You’re only human, and you have basic needs, too. You’re going to be hungry or thirsty at some point in those long hours.
You can’t pick up hot dogs or frosted flakes, or any food for that matter, and start licking your fingers with your lips while you’re typing. It mucks up the keyboard, not to mention how unhygienic it is. You’re going to have to stop it. Studies have shown that food that comes under the keys may be a breeding ground for germs. That means you’ve got to wash your hands before you eat and wash them afterwards before you use your keyboard again.
Those of you who want to eat snacks when playing games, stop using the keyboard directly. Dirty hands after eating or sticky hands will make the keycaps dirty really easily, particularly if the oil-coated the keycaps will to be hard to clean if it sticks for long. If that is the case, it would be uncomfortable for you to play games using the keyboard. Hence, try wiping your hands after you’ve eaten something before you use your keyboard.
- 7. Remove Dust Regularly
The first thing you need to do is set up regular maintenance to clear dust from your mechanical keyboard. Simply put, you need to wipe the keycaps on the keyboard, clean the inside of the keyboard, and don’t forget to clean the keycaps. You will scan for the entire edition of the videos on the internet.
Tips for cleaning a mechanical keyboard
You should execute a more thorough cleaning a couple of times a year to restore the keyboard to an original state by cleaning it under the keycaps and around the switches. You need a keyboard puller to remove the keycaps from your keyboard to do this. You should have received a puller tool with your mechanic keyboard, but if you’ve misplaced it, you can get a new one with a lot of cheap computer tool kits, or just a few dollars on your own.
1. Take a snapshot of your keyboard before you start, so there’s no uncertainty where each keycaps will be when it’s important to change it.
2. Put keycaps in a big bowl and fill it with cool, soapy water. Leave them to soak for a few hours.
3. When the keys are soaked, use a vacuum cloth and a dampened microfiber cloth to remove any debris from the keyboard deck.
4. Dry the keyboard with a clean, dry cloth.
5. After soaking for at least three to four hours, rinse and dry each key, then re-add it to the keyboard by clicking it on the switch before it comes into place. Any keys appear to be scratched out-keys take on a worn “shine”, or the surface is totally washed away. You can repair your keyboard by removing the keys; check the new keycaps with your keyboard manufacturer.
Last note
You don’t have to do any deep cleaning every time, as you can see unless you cause your mechanical keyboard to get too dirty. The task becomes simpler if you clean the outside of your keyboard more often. It will only take a few minutes, but it could last longer before you have to open it again for a full cleaning job.
Keyboards can be the most overlooked computer hardware piece, but they are still the most used and exploited. For more costly mechanical keyboards, it’s important to have some TLC as well. We hope we’ve been able to shine some light on a mechanical keyboard. Hence, If you follow this post, your keyboard will become much more reliable, and you’ll enjoy it for several years to come. Ds and how well you can keep them safe.