What is the best way to clean the space in between the switches?

[radio_killah]

What ways have you discovered work best to clean your keyboards in between the switches? I tried a q-tip but that just kept getting caught on the switches and stickers and left tons of stringy cotton...  Any suggestions?

[Evo_Spec]

i don't have stickers so i'm not sure but i use one of these and it works quite well.

[radio_killah]

i don't have stickers so i'm not sure but i use one of these and it works quite well.

Show Image

Looking for something that will get rid of the finer dust and also finger prints. Thinking about it though I don't even know how or why fingers would be in between the switches.

[rowdy]

TechKeys keyboard brush.

https://ssl.redditgifts.com/marketplace/product/keyboard-brush/

Unfortunately they do not appear to be listed on TechKeys web site at the moment.

[cephelix]

i've just used this

seems to work well. just make sure to dab instead of swipe the compound across....

[rowdy]

i've just used this

Show Image

seems to work well. just make sure to dab instead of swipe the compound across....

Review (including video) of something similar to that:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53330.0

[cephelix]

i've just used this

Show Image

seems to work well. just make sure to dab instead of swipe the compound across....

Review (including video) of something similar to that:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53330.0

That's the one...couldn't find the thread..thanks man

[sethk_]

I pull mine of and use qtips with isopropyl alcohol.

[SpAmRaY]

http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Electronics-Cleaning-Brush/dp/B0050B6CYW

[radio_killah]

http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Electronics-Cleaning-Brush/dp/B0050B6CYW

This looks like a winner.

[Melvang]

I just pull the caps, turn upside down, and knock the big chunks out and put the keys back on.

[radio_killah]

I just pull the caps, turn upside down, and knock the big chunks out and put the keys back on.

Yeah that works for the big stuff but im talking small bits of dirt and finger prints/oils and stuff. I'm kind of picky like that.

[danwomansan]

I use bunched up disinfectant wipes, and then a screwdriver to remove things that were too "in there" for the wipes to remove, like the horror of what seemed to be roach guts and bird poop on the spare keyboard I just cleaned last night.

[Coreda]

I use strips of sticky tape, and remove all the keys. Probably not ideal but it gets everything, and use a wooden skewer to push between small gaps. Can't imagine how one would clean a board without removing the caps first.

Next time I clean the board I'll be using the DataVac mostly. Will be vastly quicker.

[Ngt]

I like to remove all the caps and use a dry air can to blow everything out.

Regarding finger prints on the keycaps I only washed them once and it soaked them in hand soap and water then I brushed them one by one. I won't do it again. It took me ages to do because I dried them with a towel one by one also. In a full keycaps set it is horrendously long.

[spale]

I guess I am the only guy that use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust from keyboard.
For me its a long-time solution and the most effective 

[Ngt]

I guess I am the only guy that use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust from keyboard.
For me its a long-time solution and the most effective 

Do you remove the caps before?

[taylordcraig]

The suction of a vacuum shouldn't be able to lift a properly seated cap off the stem.

[Ngt]

The suction of a vacuum shouldn't be able to lift a properly seated cap off the stem.

Yeah that's what I wondered.

[Puddsy]

I use a cotton swab

[FluffynFuzzy]

I use a cotton swab

I always happen to get the ctton caught on the switches somehow and have to wind up picking it out with my fingers...

[radio_killah]

I use a cotton swab

I always happen to get the ctton caught on the switches somehow and have to wind up picking it out with my fingers...

Exactly this is why I originally posted this asking. The cotton swabs also have a hard time picking up finger prints, oils, etc.

[FluffynFuzzy]

I use a cotton swab

I always happen to get the ctton caught on the switches somehow and have to wind up picking it out with my fingers...

Exactly this is why I originally posted this asking. The cotton swabs also have a hard time picking up finger prints, oils, etc.

Full circle 

[taylordcraig]

I use a cotton swab

I always happen to get the ctton caught on the switches somehow and have to wind up picking it out with my fingers...

Exactly this is why I originally posted this asking. The cotton swabs also have a hard time picking up finger prints, oils, etc.

Full circle 

I've use cotton and ISO alcohol but it's not ideal. A lot of suggestions don't seem to meet the requirement of cleaning inbetween switches, I've experienced this first hand.

[Findecanor]

I guess I am the only guy that use a vacuum cleaner to remove the dust from keyboard.

Not at all. I use it with the brush attachment. Every time I clean under the desk, I also go over the keys with it.

[Jersern]

I usually use a slightly damp cloth and a brush to clean out any dust that's managed to get in the gaps. Works really well as long as you don't get it too messy.

[howthegodschill]

I take off all of the keys, then use an acid brush in collaboration with my ED500 Datavac.

[jonathanyu]

i always pull off all the keycaps and then use a vacuum cleaner to suck all the dust

[radio_killah]

http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Electronics-Cleaning-Brush/dp/B0050B6CYW

Just got this little pen in the mail today and I must say for 5 bucks it does exactly what I wanted it to.

The silicone tip is great for cleaning out dust and picks up oils. Thanks spamray for the suggestion.

[hwood34]

i've just used this

Show Image

seems to work well. just make sure to dab instead of swipe the compound across....

+1
You could also buy a mini vacum like a DataVac

[cephelix]

i've just used this

Show Image

seems to work well. just make sure to dab instead of swipe the compound across....

+1
You could also buy a mini vacum like a DataVac

that is also true.can't remember how much it costs locally though. or if they even sell it locally.

[SpAmRaY]

http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Electronics-Cleaning-Brush/dp/B0050B6CYW

Just got this little pen in the mail today and I must say for 5 bucks it does exactly what I wanted it to.

The silicone tip is great for cleaning out dust and picks up oils. Thanks spamray for the suggestion.

Glad I could help.

[radio_killah]

i've just used this

Show Image

seems to work well. just make sure to dab instead of swipe the compound across....

+1
You could also buy a mini vacum like a DataVac

I got one of those too. $40 on black friday. Thing is freaking awesome.

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

leafblower

[radio_killah]

leafblower

Essentially. Just in a miniature form.

[rowdy]

leafblower

Only for a Model M/F!

[ynrozturk]

I use one of those dinky USB vacuum things which cost like a few dollars. They have a rubber tip which fits in very nicely between the switches, and it does a damn fine job, too.

[berserkfan]

http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Electronics-Cleaning-Brush/dp/B0050B6CYW

Just got this little pen in the mail today and I must say for 5 bucks it does exactly what I wanted it to.

The silicone tip is great for cleaning out dust and picks up oils. Thanks spamray for the suggestion.

But question is, now long can this tool last? That silicon tip...

[FrostyToast]

Don't vacuum cleaner generate static or something that could damage electronic components? No idea if it would be relevant to the simple design of keyboards, however I would like to know the effect of this.

[radio_killah]

http://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Electronics-Cleaning-Brush/dp/B0050B6CYW

Just got this little pen in the mail today and I must say for 5 bucks it does exactly what I wanted it to.

The silicone tip is great for cleaning out dust and picks up oils. Thanks spamray for the suggestion.

But question is, now long can this tool last? That silicon tip...

As long as you are good to it it seems like it will last  a while. It picks up dust and small particles with easy and can be cleaned using just a piece of wet paper towel.

[noisyturtle]

Got a Datavac today. All the good reviews are true, this thing is a tiny monster. It's got more than enough power, almost too much because I wish there was an adjustment to lower it. Well worth the $$ considering it costs about as much as 12 pack of canned air. A little worried about overheating because it's such a small unit with such a large motor it can heat up pretty quickly but who cares, this thing is awesome!