Why keyboards need this
Keyboards face dust from the air and oil from your hands every single day. Over time, grime builds under the keycaps and around the switches, making keys feel stiff and sound dull. A regular deep clean keeps the board feeling like new.
Step one: disconnect and capture the layout
Unplug the keyboard and turn it off. Take a photo of the layout or note the keycap positions. This sounds obvious, but a photo saves you from that awkward moment of putting the keys back in the wrong places.
Step two: remove and soak the keycaps
Use a keycap puller to lift the keycaps. Soak them in warm water with a drop of dish soap for ten minutes, then rinse and let them dry on a towel. Do not use hot water, which can warp plastic.
Step three: clean the board and switches
With the keycaps off, use a soft brush or compressed air to clear crumbs from the plate. Wipe the plate with a slightly damp cloth. Never pour liquid on the keyboard, and avoid spraying directly into the switches.
Step four: reassemble
Once everything is dry, press the keycaps back into place and check each one. If your board is hot-swappable like the NOVA 75 PRO, this is also the perfect time to pull a switch and clean underneath it.
- Unplug and photograph the layout first
- Remove keycaps with a puller, not a screwdriver
- Soak keycaps in warm soapy water, not hot
- Brush or blow out crumbs before wet cleaning
- Dry everything fully before reassembling
- Clean the mousepad too for a complete refresh
How often
A light brush every couple of weeks and a full clean every two to three months keeps most boards in great shape. If you eat at your desk, cut the interval in half. The better you care for the board, the longer the switches last.