How to clean the keyboard on a Lenovo laptop. Rules for cleaning a laptop keyboard at home. Getting rid of spilled liquids

Modernity is a world of gadgets, smart devices and robotic mechanisms. Without these devices it is impossible to imagine any business or action. Vacuum cleaners clean apartments themselves, machines do laundry, and laptops are capable of storing a huge amount of information and “playing” even the heaviest games. But as convenient as these compact digital devices are to use, they are just as inconvenient to maintain.

The most popular question from users, how to clean the keyboard on a laptop, has a lot of solutions. Read more about this on anout.ru.

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The dangers of dirty laptop keyboards

Dirty keyboard
The main danger is failure of the device. The problem is complicated by the fact that the keyboard is an integral part of the laptop. And therefore, compliance with standard “computer hygiene” in the form of not eating over the keyboard, not drinking coffee or tea over it, is supplemented by one more rule - timely cleaning.

Even people who meticulously clean their workspace will eventually accumulate dirt on their keyboard. It appears from room dust, small particles of skin, and other foreign particles.

Over time, dirt increases and it interferes with pressing the buttons. If the problem is not resolved, the buttons become stuck and interfere with the normal operation of the device.

A significant amount of debris in the keyboard ends up inside the laptop and damages the radiator.

• The mechanism stops passing air, the laptop overheats and, as a result, breaks down.
• Repairing a failed radiator will cost more than buying a new gadget.

To prevent this from happening, you should know a few simple rules for caring for your keyboard. Regular cleaning will help extend the life of the device.

How to clean your keyboard with a vacuum cleaner

To save yourself from the need to remove dust from surrounding surfaces, as is the case with compressed air, you can use a vacuum cleaner. Since the laptop requires delicate handling, it is better to use the option for cars.

Whatever unit you choose for cleaning, it is better to set the minimum power (if the vacuum cleaner has such a function). Gently clean the keyboard, then wipe the surface with a damp cloth.

Types of laptop keyboard cleaning and their differences

Wiping
Experts distinguish between two types of cleaning:

1. Easy. This is the superficial removal of dust, dirt from the keys and the space between them. This cleaning is done several times a day, simply wiping the buttons with a dry cloth.
2. Deep. Thorough cleaning involves a thorough procedure using various devices and products. In some cases, the keyboard is disassembled and the contacts are cleaned.

The more often and better light cleaning is done, the lower the risk of accumulation of “dirt deposits” and their negative impact on the operation of the laptop. Moreover, some laptop models do not allow you to remove the buttons without disassembling the entire device.

Why you need to clean

The user is in constant contact with the keyboard while working at the laptop. But many people don't think about the fact that it needs to be cleaned. After all, the garbage is almost invisible from the outside. With active use, you can wipe the device after 10–15 days, then it will look like new. But after a year it is necessary to carry out a general cleaning. Over this period of time, not only dust, but also hair and crumbs accumulate under the buttons. And along with them are microbes harmful to health.

Tea, coffee and other drinks spilled on the keyboard are dangerous for the entire laptop. If now the computer works normally without cleaning, then after some time, for example, a couple of months, it can be thrown away. Why? The liquid penetrates through the keyboard into the case, ending up on the motherboard and contacts, which become shorted or oxidized. As a result, not only the board will suffer, but also the hard drive, processor and other components. The accumulation of dust on conductive elements also leads to a short circuit. Excess dirt and sugary drinks cause the keys to stick.

What products can be used to clean a laptop keyboard?

Spray and special wipes
Light cleaning is done several times a day, and a special product is used about once a month. It could be:

• a ready-made cleaning kit (sold in stores), consisting of wet wipes or dry wipes and spray;
• sets with brushes, liquid for removing dirt from the surface of keys (alcohol) and microfiber cloths.

Kits can be cheap or expensive. The differences are in the number of special products and the composition of the spray. But it’s not always worth spending money on more expensive mixtures; cheap ones also do a good job of superficially cleaning keys.

In some cases, it is acceptable to use home remedies. For example, a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol (1:1) or soapy water. In both cases, use a cotton swab, which is used to gently wipe the surface of the keys and the space between them.

1. It is strictly forbidden to pour liquid on the surface of the buttons or use too wet wipes or cotton pads. Even a drop of water that gets on the internal mechanisms of a laptop can damage the device.
2. It is also unacceptable to use solvents, aggressive chemicals or pure alcohol (vodka) to remove dirt.

Before starting the procedure, the device is disconnected from the network and turned off. After cleaning the surface, wipe it dry with a clean cloth.

FAQ

Why can't you use regular vodka?

Because alcohol will wash away the letters and may ruin the surface of the keys.

How to clean at home

The cleansing procedure has some features depending on the nature of the contamination.

From dirt and dust

We begin the work by processing the keys. To do this, you need to prepare a container or a regular bag. Pour water into it, add detergent and place the keys. You can use washing powder or laundry soap. Leave them in the liquid for 15–20 minutes. Then we drain the water and place the buttons on some surface where they will dry for about two hours. If necessary, you can use a hairdryer. It will help dry the keys much faster.

Important! When drying with a hairdryer, use only the cool blow setting, otherwise the keys may melt.

While the buttons are in the liquid, we begin to clean the keyboard. Take a napkin or rag, apply detergent to it and remove dirt. In hard-to-reach places, you should use cotton swabs. When the buttons are dry, put the keyboard back together.

Is it possible to clean up spilled liquid?

Cleaning contacts will improve the use of your laptop

If liquid gets on the keyboard, you should immediately turn the laptop upside down to prevent it from penetrating into the device. Then disconnect it from the power supply and remove the battery. We remove the keyboard and check how deep the liquid has penetrated. If you turn the device over immediately after flooding, it is likely that damage to the laptop will be limited to the keyboard. In this case, only this part needs to be cleaned.

If you did not have time to react in a timely manner and flooded the keys, the motherboard may also be damaged, which will also have to be washed. For cleaning, use a special composition Kontakt U or Axent, which are available in cylinders. You need to prepare a container where the product will drain. Spray the liquid generously, positioning the can at an angle to the surface to be cleaned. Kontakt U contains toxic substances.

Important! After completing the work, you need to place the keyboard in a ventilated area until the composition dries completely - this will help get rid of dangerous elements.

Algorithm for external cleaning of a laptop keyboard

Using special tools
In fact, the procedure is simple and does not require much time:

1. The device is disconnected from the power supply. This is done by simply unplugging the plug from the socket. You should not neglect the moment in order to reduce even the slightest risk of electric shock.
2. Disable all laptop workflows. Simply put, they finish the job and wait until the light on the device’s power button goes out.
3. Prepare all necessary tools, materials and liquids. Most often they use a soft brush with short bristles, cotton swabs and dry microfiber cloths. Paper napkins are useless in this case; they leave more dust than they collect.
4. Use a brush to sweep away debris from the spaces between the buttons. Instead of a special brush, a regular toothbrush is suitable for cleaning your teeth.
5. Wipe the keys. This is done with a cotton swab slightly moistened with alcohol or soap. First, the surface of the buttons is treated, then the spaces between them.
6. Wipe the entire surface dry. Carefully inspect the keyboard for contamination and, if necessary, repeat the procedure.

If possible, during the cleaning process, place the keyboard perpendicular to the surface of the table. This will help remove debris - crumbs will fall onto the table and not onto adjacent keys.

After finishing the manipulations, give the laptop half an hour for additional drying, then put the device into operation.

Cleaning methods without disassembly

It is quite difficult to dismantle a laptop computer for cleaning at home. Therefore, owners of such equipment are looking for other methods to clean the keyboard on a laptop without disassembling it. Today there are 2 cleaning methods used:

1. Surface.
2. Deep.

In the first case, debris is removed from the buttons and between them by treating with wet wipes and soft brushes. Suitable cleaning products can be purchased at specialized computer hardware stores. To increase the efficiency of processing, it is better to prepare a special solution and rags. Dip the cloth in the liquid and then wipe the keyboard with it, paying special attention to the spaces between the keys.

If such a composition is not available, it can be replaced with isopropyl alcohol. The main thing is to remember the correct dosage and not allow liquid to get on the contacts. Do not use ethyl alcohol and acetone for cleaning, as these are aggressive substances that can corrode the paint or melt the body.

Deep cleaning removes dust from the contacts and conductors inside the laptop. For such processing, you can use the following tools:

1. USB vacuum cleaners with special attachments for removing various contaminants. However, such devices are not powerful enough, so they are not able to provide a deep cleaning effect.
2. A can of compressed air, which is supplied under high pressure and eliminates dust on the contacts. This product should be used sparingly, as frequent use may cause the keyboard to become deformed.
3. When treating small areas, sticky stickers are used, which are glued to the problem area and immediately peeled off. The method allows you to instantly get rid of dirt, but it requires some effort and a lot of time.

Ways to clean dirt from under laptop keys

Superficial cleaning is a good thing, but it is not always sufficient for full operation of the device. And here you will have to do more complex manipulations.

Contrary to popular belief, shaking out debris from a laptop keyboard is an extremely harmful procedure! By shaking the device upside down, the user risks a malfunction or complete failure of the laptop.

It is much easier and safer to use other cleaning methods. There are several of them, everyone can choose what suits best.

Vacuum cleaner or hair dryer

Using a mini vacuum cleaner

1. Use a hair dryer to blow on the keyboard, positioning it slightly at an angle. The hairdryer turns on the cold blowing mode; the hot air flow will heat the device and lead to irreversible changes in operation.
2. A vacuum cleaner is used without a brush. They remove it, place the handset on the keyboard and start the unit - it will instantly suck out all contaminants, including large and small particles.

A car or special vacuum cleaner is best suited. But since a specialized device is expensive, they rarely buy it. For example, when the laptop is in a room with a high level of dust. In other cases, they use conventional or automotive units, turning them on at low power.

Cleaning with baby slime

Assistant - slime
Another simplest option is to buy a regular soft slime and clean the keyboard. They do it like this:

• knead the slime in your hands so that it becomes as flexible as possible;
• applied to the surface of the keyboard;
• lightly tap for better adhesion;
• removed.

All debris will remain on the elastic substance, which is then washed and placed in a box. Store this slime in the refrigerator (on the door shelf) and use it as needed.

Slime that has begun to crumble is no longer used - it will do more harm than good.

FAQ

Which slime is best to use to clean a laptop keyboard?

The main condition is that the soft mass should not be sweet. This slime will leave a film on the keyboard.

Cleaning with a soft or hard bristle brush

Soft bristle brush
Both brushes are ideal for cleaning, but they are used for different purposes:

1. Soft bristles cope well with dust. It gets stuck in the tiny spaces between the key and the cover and interferes with pressing. A regular paint brush is the best choice.
2. Stiff bristles are the choice for people who love to eat over the keyboard. Thanks to their short bristles, the brushes are good at cleaning the space between the buttons from large debris.

Brushes with hard bristles can cause keys to stick. Lint often pushes debris into the gap between the button and the cover, and can only be removed after disassembling the keyboard.

Cleaning the keyboard using special stickers

The option is expensive, since such accessories are priced quite highly. No special work is required - remove the protective layer from the stickers, apply it to the buttons, press and remove the stickers.

At its core, the method is reminiscent of cleaning with slime, the difference is in price: slime costs much less.

FAQ

What if cleaning didn’t help and the keys still stick?

The contacts may have come loose - the problem will only be corrected at a service center.

Recommendations for the use of cleaning products

When cleaning the keys from dust using a brush or soft brush, make sure that the product is of high quality: it should not “shed.” Falling out lint can make the dirt worse. To check the quality of a brush, for example, Leifheit Duster XL 41520, run it over your hand and shake it in the air: if the bristles fall out, the product is not suitable.

When wiping your keyboard with a cloth cloth, use a microfiber option (like mops). This fabric relieves static tension and is also resistant to microbes. In addition, removing dust and grease from it after use is simple: all this is easily washed off with running water.

Deep cleaning with disassembling the laptop keyboard

Removing the keyboard
Thorough cleaning is carried out at least once every 3-5 months. Regularity depends on the intensity and conditions of use of the device. The operating algorithm is simple:

• the laptop is turned off;
• the keyboard is disassembled;
• use a screwdriver to remove the keys;
• clean the buttons using any available method;
• wipe contacts;
• dry all elements;
• assembling the keyboard.

If the first deep cleaning is to be done, the keyboard is photographed before disassembling. This will help you avoid confusing the button locations.

Rules for removing and installing laptop keyboard buttons

Removing buttons
Removing buttons is recommended only for experienced users. If you have doubts about your own skills, it is better to take your laptop to a service center for cleaning. Specialists charge inexpensively for the work, but do it quickly and competently.

Here's how to remove and install the buttons yourself:

1. Disconnect the laptop from the network. Turn off the device.
2. They find a sharp knife or plastic card at home. You can take any object with a sharp and thin end.
3. Carefully pick up the key from one corner, move the blade to the other corner, then to the third and fourth. You will hear a characteristic click – this is the sound of the button being disconnected.
4. Remove the key. Do this very carefully so as not to break the lid and clips.

Not all laptop models allow you to remove the keyboard buttons. In some devices, the caps remain connected to the platform at one angle. You can't tear them off! This will cause the laptop to stop working.

After the buttons are removed or “half-removed,” the space under them is cleaned with a cotton swab or napkin (toothpick). And then install the keys in place. If not the entire keyboard is stuck, but only a few buttons, it is enough to disconnect them.

Question to the expert

What should you do if the key cover or clip is broken? Is there any way to replace it?

Yes. But they do this only at the service center. To deal with the problem yourself, they find an identical laptop, remove the key that turns out to be damaged, and install it in the right place.

How to prevent pollution

Read the tips and tricks in the article - “Instructions on how to clean your laptop from dust.”

You can prevent some laptop problems by taking the following precautions:

1. Don't eat or drink near your laptop.
2. Work in an area where there is less dust.
3. Do not clean the keys with alcohol as it may erase the signatures on some types of keys.

If contamination is inevitable, which may be due to the specifics of your work, it makes sense to use one of the protective measures, for example, a silicone membrane for the keyboard.

Silicone membrane for keyboard

They can be either transparent or repeating the contours of the keyboard of the individual model for which they were created. Using it will protect your keyboard from liquids, dirt and dust. This is especially true for families with small children and when working in a dusty room or outdoors.