How to ACTUALLY Clean Your Keyboard... (In Under An Hour)

Have you ever wondered How to clean a mechanical keyboard or clean a custom keyboard?
Check out this EASY tutorial for how to clean your keyboard, keycaps, and desk mat!
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#MechanicalKeyboard #keyboard #howtocleanakeyboard #keyboardcleaning #customkeyboard #computerkeyboard #keycaps #cleankeycaps #deskmat

[@jaydingiesler5280]

I appreciate Hipyo being honest about how dirty his keyboard is and not pretending we’re all just a bunch of animals with ours 😂

[@brflame90]

Yes, then again he accused us of not doing the dishes… or washing our hands…

[@NedransVikingar]

Well I'm not "an animal" with mine. Cleaning my keyboard takes me like 1 minute at max because it's never even dirty to begin with. It's just a bit dusty and that's easily fixed with compressed air. The secret is to wash your hands and never eat at the keyboard. If you have to, then eat something that isn't powdery.

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

​@@NedransVikingarAlso, don't own pets (slight sarcasm). I used to own a dog and oh my god, my laptop keys were so damn clogged with her hair, lol. I semi-cleaned the keys but nothing as in-depth as this, because it was a laptop. But, if you do own pets, maybe don't let them get close to your keyboard, unless the cleaning process doesn't bother you. With cats, people also let them walk all over their surfaces (I personally never understood this, even as a former cat owner). Cats could be on the couch and whatever structure/ cat tree was bought for them. Cats did not go on tables or counters where you put your food, they did not go on top of fridges for the same reason (and it's dangerous and they can get stuck up there, too scared to hop down), and they don't walk on desks. People seem to forget where their cat's paws have been when they allow this.

[@ReligionAndMaterialismDebunked]

:3 My keyboard was wayyyy worse than this with hair. Haha. I don't really have food inside of it. I rinsed it under water, used soap, q-tips, a sponge with the scrubber side, and the keys I soaked in soapy water before rinsing them, and washing them more with soap, and wiping them down. Now, they're outside drying in the hot sun. I'll leave them out there for like 24 hours. Haha

[@athanmantas7134]

love thise videos

[@Lord_Mad_Dog]

cold water will probably work better for more keycaps. the heat may cause the legends or characters to dissolve a bit if you have a dyesub set and if you agitate the keycaps with the soapy water then youre fine. i used a chopstick to kida stir them and it worked marvelously. also using alcohol on your plastic is generally not a good idea

[@jotsa]

just use slightly warm water, pbt won't get damaged in it

[@Voruality]

is it bad that its dissolved on the inside of my keys

[@mshazaz]

I used very hot water and my keycaps got bent 😂

[@TheoSur]

@@mshazaz that's why he said "the hottest water *your hands can handle*"

[@fakepotato4875]

@@TheoSur well i guess he can handle hot enough water that it can melt his keycaps

[@eschrader]

Used a butter knife to pop out all my keys after I took a photo of it. Used a soapy scrub brush at an angle to clean the kb body a bit, wiped with baby wipe. Then Used dish soap in a bowl and scrub brush to wash keys, poured in strainer, sprayed with water, filled bowl with clean water, poured keys in and rinsed, tossed back and forth between strainer and bowl then dumped keys on a towel and patted keys dry. Re-assembled according to picture and let it sit in the sun for a bit. Quick and decent cleaning! Thank you!

[@cursedRavioli]

You can use ultrasonic cleaner for the keycaps. Also it's great for your glasses and jewelery.

[@neekowmoo]

Thanks Hipyo. this is my first time liking your video with clean hands

[@Weepsy_]

Actually, if you don't want or can't buy a compressed air can or a blower, use a hairdryer and make sure it's blowing cold air. The air will spread more, but it's still better than nothing.

[@_TheLegendaryT_]

Bro says under an hour I’am in 3 minutes and already have to buy 2 items of the internet

[@SergeyTaboritsky69]

You can use a flat screwdriver to pop out the keys. I used my mother’s hair dryer (on cool) to blow the dust.

[@_TheLegendaryT_]

@ tbh honest I kinda figured this out 11 months ago… but thanks 😊

[@YtJosh4k]

Wow Hipyo is so brave for showing us his dirty keyboard.

[@hashpipe710]

all 7 hairs and like 3 crumbs.. if hipyo saw under my keycaps he would show up and confiscate all my boards and rehome them. theres enough cat hair to make a full size birds nest.

[@Lazymaybaby]

as someone who is a very casual mech keyboard enjoyer (and whose keyboard was built by my now-ex) I really appreciate this kind of video! I love my keyboard but lately it’s started acting weird and not typing correctly. I’m going to try deep cleaning it and see if that helps. As an aside, more videos on general keyboard maintenance would be awesome! Like, for instance, how to tell if a switch has gone bad / how to go about troubleshooting a keyboard that’s having typing issues.

[@ConfusionPlus2]

I hope it worked!

[@jens0_064]

1:17 I always pull my keycaps by hand, it's just way faster + it is easier to set them into sets to later easily set back together. I think if you have a huntsman board, you should get one, because it hurts after like 40 and I don't want to do this daily on a fullsize.

[@ThePathOfAshes]

If you ever get blood on your fabric things from a bloody nose or papercut or what not, don't use hot water! cold water is most effective to get it out (don't let it dry out if you can help it)

[@lynettedear4833]

And your own saliva is good for that as well.

[@x9x9x9x9x9]

When I clean key caps I do it in a strainer that is sitting in a large bowl. Then I toss them in a food dehydrator to dry. Having a food dehydrator has been surprisingly useful over the years and I have never used it for food but drying lots of stuff like 3d printer filament.

[@Krystallia87]

Brush your cat if shes helping you clean... dude... my cats are the REASON im cleaning my keyboard... again. Lol

[@CatbaronAle]

Wow Hipyo is so brave for- kitty kitty kitty kitty she’s helping aaaa ❤ (ty for this helpful tutorial)

[@scott-jc5nd]

Well edited! Also enjoyed the humor! Thanks 👍

[@morpho7083]

To dry your keycaps, you can use your oven. Turn it to "warm".

[@Alex-kr7zr]

Or clothes dryer after the washing machine.

[@adarshsingh2954]

I don't know why my keyboard has small hairs 😭 who tf shaved on my keyboard 😭😭

[@hatemails]

If your arms/hands are hairy when you lose small hairs naturally

[@broken-rpg-cuzzo]

Lmao mines the same

[@grainretard]

arm hairs xdd

[@LACHYON240HZ]

@@broken-rpg-cuzzosame lol mostly it’s cause my cats loves to cuddle so she lays on my keyboard and gets hair everywhere but I love her alot 😂

[@greaterglider]

@@LACHYON240HZ cat hair fr

[@SquizbarDeAlienOfficial]

It’s all your fault Hipyo!! I’m now addicted to customising keyboards!! All jokes aside your videos have been really inspiring as I’m new to the hobby.

[@ruhsuzkutu8041]

Instructions unclear, I have discovered a bug infestation inside my keyboard.

[@koiasana]

0:13 howdy hey, I'm hiypo tech

[@diveintowonder7337]

Using a collander (pasta strainer) would be a great way to drain and rinse the keys.

[@HangryCow]

i clean my keyboard weekly so no need for a hazmat suit

[@vrdude1]

for the compressed air, just use a blow dryer for the keycap reover, use a butter knife, coming in from the side of the keys and popping them off

[@FamilyGuyRoks6]

any tips for getting thermal compound off of a deskmat? 😅

[@KatzenminzeWarVergeben]

Seems like im not the only one with that problem lol

[@2tallB]

IPA - isopropyl will def work.

[@KuzTech]

@Hipyo Tech what keycaps are those?

[@QoraxAudio]

Nope. Don't use compressed air on small moving parts like a keyboard, but also things like bearings of computer fans. It could result in dirt going deeper between the moving parts. Also, compressed air can result in condensation droplets inside those parts. Those electrical blowers are fine though. Instead use a vacuum cleaner with some kind of brush attachment, or a separate brush. ...and watch out not to use too hot water for your keycaps, otherwise they could warp.

[@UnsolicitedThoughtsOfARose]

I know you shouldn't use compressed air, but what are you supposed to use instead? Just brush it for eternity...

[@dailylockin]

@@UnsolicitedThoughtsOfARose vacuum cleaner is what i used and it worked flawlessly and very fast.

[@danny7694]

My tip for cleaning deskmats and i been doing it like this every 2 weeks: 1. grab deskmat 2. get in shower 3. make tiles in shower wet 4. stick deskmat on wall (this will work due to anti slip) 5. use showerhead to wet up surface 6. use dish soap and a soft sided sponge to clean (do not use abbrasive sponge or all purpose cleaner, this might destroy any hydrophobic coating that's on your deskmat) 7. dry your deskmat over a drying rack (do not dry in sun as this again might damage any protective coatings) 8. you now have a clean deskmat and you've taken your biweekly gamer shower! you're welcome!

[@TeenGameTORG]

This is really helpful. I've wanted to clean my keyboard for a while now, but had no idea if I had to follow some kind of process to not damage it, and was scared to death I could break it. Turns out it is WAY simpler than what I thought. Thanks a lot!

[@skrappr3649]

Just spent hours disassembling my entire keyboard and cleaning every part just for this to be recommended thanks youtube

[@lambdaboss5528]

Incredibly helpful, thank you.

[@travismorse5050]

Oh snap you got the EPBT Sniper caps! I got on that group buy too!

[@Wolfy11188]

If you have one of those cutlery baskets for your dishwasher you can just chuck the keys in there on a cold wash and they'll be nice and sparkly! Need one that locks completely though on the top!

[@TheSoulofaGod]

Thanks A lot! Once I get a Keycap remover I'll be able to clean my key board!

[@sultandmj8692]

I just watched 5 of your videos back to back. Even though I am not a keyboard enthusiast.

[@houraiDoIl]

instead of water and dish soap, is it ok to use a solution of alcohol and water to clean the keycaps?

[@AlexAlex-oy5bz]

first time cleaning my keyboard in 3 years, and well.. GODAMMMMMM

[@LMG7]

First step should be to check to see if your keys are meant to actually come off, otherwise you may be stuck in a situation where you can't get your keys back on.

[@Greyson-fz3sq]

Howdy hey

[@jessw4195]

Thank you for showing us the real keyboard and how dirty it is because it made me feel a lot less insecure about my own keeb!!! U da MVP!!!!

[@ToyKeeper]

A cheap fine-tipped squeeze duster also works well for cleaning out under the keycaps... like the things they use to clean dust off camera optics. It's not as good as actually removing the keycaps, but it can get rid of like 90% of the gunk with only 10% of the effort and near-zero cost. I keep my hands obsessively clean, so my keycaps generally take several years to show any signs of grime... but underneath, lots of dust and hair and other stuff accumulates. So... squeezy blower to the rescue!

[@roblaxionofgamer]

Tip: rather than using q-tips use cotton and soak the cotton with ethanol or nail polish for cleaning the keyboard

[@danhackley]

How come you didn’t take the PCB off to clean around it? Would that involve removing all the switches?

[@LTGamerNation]

You can use a flathead screwdriver to get the keys out too

[@LouisGiliberto]

I've used Efferdent (denture cleaner) to clean my key caps. It's doesn't leave residue and it's designed to break up fats and proteins which is most of the scum on the key caps.

[@Ray.F]

Please don't use wipes containing alcohol on keycaps especially ABS and especially the keyboard itself, google it for reasons why. That is all.

[@arthuralford]

You can use distilled water, which contains no minerals and is safe for electronics however

[@opvask]

If you're not afraid of scratching the keycaps, the soapy water trick works with a plastic bag.. just dump everything in there and shake shake shake... pour into a sieve and rinse with warm water.. let airdry over night or wrap them in a towel(not paper, use actual towel) and shake shake shake and theyre 95% dry in a minute xd 9:10 bruh, H2O2 will bleach the shit out of fabric.......... you just want to sell more deskmats dont you!? yea im onto you mister

[@mikishealy2849]

Use a Q-tip with the peroxide and only dot the area with blood staying clear of the surrounding area.

[@illusionarysage4487]

If the tap water in your area is particularly mineral rich like it is where I live, make sure to use something like distilled water for the keycaps, or they will collect the minerals as a residue and jam up the keyboard Speaking from personal experience.

[@cherylbarber4493]

I have the cool killer polar bear keyboard and I need to learn how to clean out the crevices under the keypad.

[@Akito1603]

What would you recommend for a “chalky” sounding keyboard?

[@lavenderclouds]

Thanks for this video, I learned how to clean my keyboard for the first time. My kitty cat got her fur all over my keyboard so it was very hairy! White fur all over the inside. I didn't have an air duster so I asked my older brother if he had one and what didja know he did. I used his electric air duster and it worked wonders! I washed my desk mat in the sink, it works.

[@pedrocastellanos2982]

Hey Hipyo! I love your vids and you're the reason I got into keyboards. Could you review the RK royal kludge m75 and possibly mod it? I bought it and I think its good but Id love to see my favorite youtuber to review it!

[@pine1780]

Glad to know I been doing correctly for years. A bowl of soap and water and alcohol for the keyboard and the mat just a wash and some sun dried for a clean set up. I just did it today before watching this video lol!

[@DanieIDooDoo]

Do I have to lube my keycaps again after cleaning it in soapy water?

[@kayiscahyantomajid9247]

I still have a few questions. What soap is safe for the color of the keycaps so they don't fade? Dish washing soap, bath soap or laundry soap?

[@miroh_x]

that transition sound effect though...

[@MarbsMusic]

I actually taught my sons, who all play games, how to do this years ago because their keyboards would get so nasty! Great and very thorough!

[@Grunderinne]

Thanks for helpful AND humoristisk video. I shoulden be any differense for a keyboard integrated in an laptop, or?

[@Xevikq]

Bro my keyboard was so dirty its crazy ive had it for 2+ years and never cleaned this helped alot

[@Treiden21]

He did the glarses oh yeah thing lol

[@Me2oon]

The transition noise reminds me of flithy frank nice guide, ty Mr.Hipyo

[@choipichiim]

Should we tell them?

[@nemojimeister8769]

getting into the keyboard scene and moving from costar stabs to cherry was an amazing feeling :D

[@phatlokki]

I have a beauitful rgb keyboard and it is flat out disrespectful how it looks rights not. Thanks for the video. Lets make this baby sparkly again!

[@hallmonitor98]

I never took the keys off, I used a used tooth brush head for my sonicare toothbrush and used rubbing alchohol, and dipped in water every few keys to rinse off the grime, then dipped in alcohol again and clean and repeat.

[@indalecio539]

Wow, Hipyo is so brave for showing us his dirty keyboard.

[@kipp14]

Cleaning the key caps can be done with an alcohol pad if it's only a few key are gunked like mine

[@dityer]

will a more gooey detergent work instead of that liquid one you have there?

[@lixinxin]

I try to keep the plastic packaging cover on it when not in use to make it last longer but sometimes I forget and it still gets dirty 😮‍💨

[@foamige]

Is this where the Hipyo intermission sound came from?

[@LadyLunaura]

Wow Hipyo is so brave for showing us his dirty keyboard!

[@StickRV]

Can I use a vacuum cleaner instead of compressed air?

[@aimeehill5329]

I was literally wondering how the hell i am going to keep my white and pastel deskmat clean this week. It gets so dirty so quickly.

[@J7T800]

If you got beeswax, it works a treat. It'll basically waterproof your deskmat for a while. It doesn't affect the quality and texture of the mat once it's "baked" in.

[@danny7694]

My tip for cleaning deskmats and i been doing it like this every 2 weeks: 1. grab deskmat 2. get in shower 3. make tiles in shower wet 4. stick deskmat on wall (this will work due to anti slip) 5. use showerhead to wet up surface 6. use dish soap and a soft sided sponge to clean (do not use abbrasive sponge or all purpose cleaner, this might destroy any hydrophobic coating that's on your deskmat) 7. dry your deskmat over a drying rack (do not dry in sun as this again might damage any protective coatings and could damage the colors, seeing how yours is white it might not matter that much but better safe then sorry) 8. you now have a clean deskmat and you've taken your biweekly gamer shower! you're welcome

[@FailSonOfAnarchy]

7:20 You can avoid this by rinsing the caps in a colander or sieve.

[@kvptx]

Somehow I've found out more easy way to clean keycaps. I put 'em in a deep bowl, then give them a thick layer of BAKING SODA, then pour it with hot boiled water. Baking Soda is actually an alkali that is great for clening stuff like finger oil etc., and that's actually what makes soap work. So, after about 10 minutes of keycaps chilling in soda bouillon, keycaps should feel a little bit soapy, so now you can just sprink everything with tap water and voila. No elbow grease, it's darn cheap and works great.

[@naliboi93]

Does baking soda damage any dyes, paint, or adhesives?

[@kvptx]

@@naliboi93 to be honest, I’m not 100% sure. I’ve done it only with double-shot ABS keycaps (black,orange, creamy and grey) and those were totally fine

[@Mastermind12358]

7:45 did that mistake with my old G15 keyboard, said what the heck. it'll be fine... it wasn't fine. RIP glorious keyboard after 15 years of service.

[@Leonardo-cw1dd]

do you have to use a keycap remover to remove the key caps? also what about led keyboards as mine lights up. i think the set up is similar to your gaming keyboard with the stabilizers(?). my keyboard is mainly dusty by the looks of it

[@lelouch4439]

hey did u figure it out if its alright to do it with a led keyboard?

[@jengajune3886]

Hey hipyo, for the mouse pad, i have one with leds, does it matter if i use the second technique?

[@yfrufeyfryd2129]

Got an expensive razeer keyboard from a friend it’s a nice one but my God is it a biohazard. This helps.

[@MrFreddyFazbear1934]

i have one of those keyboards where you look in between the keys which means i can see all the grossness and i need to clean both my keys and in between cracks i have not cleaned in 2 years not because i dont want to its cuz i never knew how this helped alot

[@Alimuneer12]

oh my god my keyboard is finally cleaned thank you so much !!!

[@BlueEagle403]

I wonder if oxy clean is useful for the keycaps as well?

[@rigure]

I once got some dust or something in a part of the office keyboard (temporarily mine) and the S key stopped working. That they I learned I could take off keycaps (with a sharp object as it said, so I used a pencil 😅). It looked clean, so I just wiped it and soaked the cap in hot water. Worked afterwards :D

[@ZuzanaLudikarova]

Should I do the same thing if it a keyboard that is connected to the computer?

[@Crowbar]

how many times will you inspect the damages

[@Eli-cn8ge]

please have another video for aluminum keyboards. Nothing works on removing the grime on them 😢

[@Acloneot]

I have not cleaned my keyboard since i got it (5 years) so thank you wery much for showing on my youtube fyp

[@MinecraftPacMatt]

Hipyo! Howdy hey! What are those keycaps and are they in stock?

[@brandongin4391]

@hipyo, I second that. They’re perfects for my build!

[@fuzzynine]

I use a tooth brush in the soapy solution which works better for the insides of the key caps.

[@HanScrub_]

wow hipyo is so brave for showing us his dirty keyboard

[@Goodluckbuddy1408]

Link to keycaps? Those are dope.

[@ziggyVR9]

Rip keyboard, there was a long drops of water, so rest in peace keyboard we had you for a short time

[@bardybussey5944]

Is it okay that my stablizer keys pull out when im taking the keys off

[@diywar]

this helped me alot thanks

[@PlainLyingGamer]

Do you think you could mod the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL

[@aa-kz7hc]

ngl a couple weeks ago I needed a keyboard to use so I took my little brothers old gaming keyboard and I cleaned it out with 90% isopropyl alcohol and an old toothbrush. when all the keycaps were off I dipped the toothbrush in the alcohol and scrubbed the board down that way but I just looked in the internet and it seems you are supposed to be using an alcohol wipe not just straight up alcohol. luckily it still works completely fine but my question is can you damage the keyboard cleaning it the way that I did? btw the keyboard was dirty asf and I doubt using an alcohol wipe would even clean it properly, it had dirt, food, hair, etc all built up on it and the keyboard(without the keycaps) had a yellow residue all in it.

[@Inztinxx]

7:08 "Especially after sitting at your desk doing, doing who knows what." That phrase has multiple meanings💀

[@Boomer.Roberts]

wow hipyo is so brave for showing us his dirty keyboard

[@afoxinthemeadow]

Hey @Hipyo can you do a video on how to modify (dampen) a wireless keyboard such as the Keychron K4? Im not sure where to start given the internals (battery+wiring).

[@Ce_Isma13]

Hey Hipyio! And how you clean switches that are used over a year, Recently I Changed the switches of my keyboard, and i want to relube them. But when I opened them they had like little rocks (I dont know how to describe it) or things like that, Right now I'm trying with ultrasonic cleaner, dishsoap and warm water.

[@techstuff27]

Hipyo could you please sell these again during christmas!

[@INFLicTxXx]

2:12 anyone know the brand of those keycaps?

[@goldenllama24]

what is the keycap set that hipyo tech is using??