NETSTAT
roenhubg
2026-05-20

How to clean a mechanical keyboard safely

Your mechanical keyboard is your best work friend, but it slowly collects dust, crumbs, hair and — if you drink coffee nearby — a few stray drops. A monthly basic clean plus a deep clean every 6 months will double its lifespan.

What you'll need

  • A keycap puller (included in the NETSTAT HEX box)
  • Compressed air or a small blower
  • A microfiber cloth
  • 70-90% isopropyl alcohol (NOT acetone, NOT solvents)
  • Cotton swabs
  • Optionally: a soft brush (the one for camera lenses is perfect)

Basic cleaning (5 minutes, monthly)

  1. Unplug the keyboard. If it's wireless, turn it off with the switch.
  2. Flip it upside-down and gently shake it over a plant pot or trash can. You'll be surprised.
  3. Apply compressed air between keys, diagonally, left to right. Hold the keyboard at ~45° so everything escapes.
  4. Wipe the keys with a microfiber cloth lightly dampened with water.

That's it. You don't need more if you do this monthly.

Deep clean (30 minutes, every 6 months)

Here you'll be removing keycaps. Yes, it's safe.

  1. Photo first: take a picture of your keyboard. Seriously. Layout can get confusing when you put keycaps back (especially modifiers and function layers).
  2. Pull off keycaps with the puller, pulling perpendicular to the plate. Don't force — if one is stuck, wiggle it gently.
  3. Put keycaps in a bowl of warm water with one drop of dish soap. Soak 15 minutes, then rinse thoroughly and dry on a towel.
  4. With the plate empty, use compressed air aggressively. Dust will escape from every corner. Follow with a soft brush.
  5. Dirty switches get a touch with a cotton swab lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Not under the stem, just the top. Let dry 5 minutes.
  6. The case gets wiped with a microfiber cloth and a tiny bit of alcohol.
  7. Put keycaps back by comparing with the photo.

Mistakes to avoid

  • ❌ Water directly on the plate. Electronics are there. Only compressed air and surface wiping.
  • ❌ Alcohol on switches under the stem. You can affect factory lubrication.
  • ❌ Washing machine. Yes, I've seen people try it. NO.
  • ❌ Acetone or solvents. They melt the ABS off keycaps.

How often

| Activity | Frequency | |---|---| | Shake + compressed air | weekly | | Wipe keycaps with cloth | monthly | | Wash keycaps in water | every 3-6 months | | Deep clean with keycap removal | every 6-12 months |

With this basic care, mechanical switches will last you 10+ years and 50+ million presses per switch. Take advantage of that — don't buy a new keyboard for nothing.

Questions or issues with your NETSTAT keyboard? Write us on Contact or WhatsApp.