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Can You Wash A Mechanical Keyboard? 5 Superb Steps To Clean Your Keyboard Properly

Posted on by Roselyne T.

Can you wash a mechanical keyboard ? Mechanical keyboards are built to last and can be washed with a damp cloth. However, there are some precautions you need to take in order to keep your keyboard clean and wash your keyboard safely. Read until the end to know the answer of it. In this blog, we also have an article about best tenkeyless compact mechanical keyboard that you might want to read about it.

Mechanical keyboards are the keyboards that most people picture when they think about keyboards; they’re the classic-looking, sturdy keyboards from the 1980s. A more proper definition is that mechanical keyboards are made with high-quality plastic key switches underneath each of the keycaps.”

Jolene Dobbin, author from HP.com

What is Mechanical Keyboard

A mechanical keyboard is a keyboard that uses mechanical switches. The most common mechanical switches are rubber dome and scissor switches. Some keyboards use membrane switches, which have the same general characteristics as rubber dome and scissor switches.

Mechanical keyboards are available in different designs, layouts, and switch types. Some use traditional keyboards with the addition of a key switch to produce a mechanical action, while others use an entirely new layout with mechanical keys arranged in a different way than conventional keyboards. The first mechanical keyboards were produced by IBM between 1983 and 1990.

IBM was one of the first companies to develop a keyboard using solid state technology (transistorized). This keyboard used individual transistors to create each key. This keyboard was not popular because it was expensive and could break easily due to the fragile nature of the components. It also had low durability and reliability compared to other technologies at the time. However, this keyboard was still considered to be superior for gaming purposes because the tactile feedback from the switch made it more responsive.

A mechanical keyboard is a keyboard built with high quality, typically spring activated, key switches. These key switches vary based on the keyboard’s application or user preference.”

mechanicalkeyboards.com

Can You Wash A Mechanical Keyboard?

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So, can you wash a mechanical keyboard? Cleaning the keycaps and the outside of the keyboard base with a moist cloth may be efficient in removing sticky residue and filth, but it is not suggested for cleaning the inside or any exposed electrical components. Even if a keyboard is advertised as water resistant or water proof, it is more better to clean it using dry techniques such as an air gun, vacuum cleaner, pipe cleaner, cloth, or cleaning gel. How to clean your mechanical Keyboard:

  1. Remove the keyboard. Remove all tiny keycaps using the keycap removal tool provided in your Element packaging. For bigger keycaps, use the keycap removal tool, but use particular care to remove the keycap from the stabilizer – steady the key with both hands and peel the key off the stabilizer mechanism as perpendicular to the keyboard surface as possible.
  2. Soak all of the keycaps in a jar of warm water and dish soap for several hours.
  3. After removing the keycaps, clean the keyboard frame using a vacuum with a brush attachment or compressed air to remove any dust, filth, debris, hair, and so on. Clean around the mechanical keyboard switches with a moist cloth or cotton swab.
  4. Allow the keyboard frame to dry fully after wiping it with a clean, dry towel. Remove the keycaps from the water and carefully dry with a clean towel.
  5. Replace the keycaps as shown in the figure below. Align the relevant keys and press down on the keycap to firmly seat it in the mechanical switch. The same is true for bigger keycaps with stabilizers – use many fingers to firmly press the keycap down into the stabilizer.

What Is The Benefits of Mechanical Keyboard

Mechanical keyboards are superior to regular keyboards in many ways. A mechanical keyboard has better key response, feels more comfortable to type on, and requires less force to actuate the keys. Here are the benefits of having mechanical keyboard:

  1. Better Key Response – Mechanical keyboards tend to give a much quicker response when pressed. Because they require less force to actuate, a keystroke can be felt sooner, making it easier to hit the right key without looking down at your hands while typing.
  2. Comfortable Feel – When typing on a normal keyboard, your fingers will press against the plastic or rubber surface, causing them to become sore over time. However, mechanical keyboards don’t cause finger fatigue because their mechanism doesn’t rely on springs, which makes them more durable than standard keyboards.
  3. Less Force Needed to Actuate Keys – With a normal keyboard, there can be some resistance to actuating certain keys. For example, a typist pressing the ‘A’ key might need to exert some pressure to make the key work properly. On a mechanical keyboard however, these keys are always ready to respond immediately.
  4. Reduced Strain on Your Hands – Mechanical keyboards have fewer parts that can wear out over time. If you are using a laptop with a touchpad, you should know that most people will experience repetitive strain injury (RSI) after several years of constant usage.
  5. Improved Accuracy – The precise placement of the keys on a mechanical keyboard allows for greater accuracy when typing. As long as the keys are aligned correctly, it won’t matter whether the keys are located next to each other or far apart.

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