Keeping your Surface Pro keyboard clean can be done by wiping it with a lint-free cloth, using a mild soap, spraying it with compressed air, or using certain disinfectant products.
After prolonged use, your Surface Pro keyboard can get filthy. Whether it is simply dirt and dust, or even soda or sauce, there will come a time where you need to clean it. Keeping it clean will not only help it look better and last longer, but will also help the keyboard work better.
As someone who uses their keyboard each and every day, I know how important keeping it clean can be. With that in mind, this guide is going to take you through how you should be cleaning your Surface Pro keyboard.
Contents
Key Takeaways
- Cleaning your Surface Pro keyboard requires little more than a soft and lint-free cloth, mild soap, water, and potentially some compressed air.
- If your Surface Pro keyboard features the Alcantara material, you may need to make some special cleaning considerations.
- Isopropyl alcohol can be used as a disinfectant, as long as it is 70% or less.
Keeping Your Surface Pro Keyboard Clean
When it comes to cleaning your Surface Pro keyboard, the method that Microsoft recommends is quite simple. Begin by creating a bowl of soapy water (always use an incredibly mild soap), then dampen a lint-free cloth in the water.
Carefully wipe down the keyboard and either let it air-dry, or gently dry it with another cloth. This ensures the keyboard isn’t damaged or stained during cleaning, and will have it looking brand new.
Avoid applying any sort of liquid directly to the Surface Pro keyboard, as well. If something accidentally spills on the keyboard, clean and dry it up as quickly as possible.
In addition to mild soap and water, you can use isopropyl alcohol (70% or less) as a disinfectant. Make sure to always avoid any products that feature bleach or hydrogen peroxide on any part of a Surface Pro device.
Another option that many people have used to keep their keyboard looking clean and working well is using compressed air to blow away any dust and other debris. This can be especially good for cleaning under and around the keys, which can be difficult places to reach.
If you aren’t going to use the keyboard or device for a little, it is a good idea to keep it covered up. This will keep it cleaner and stop as much dust or debris from gathering on the keyboard.
How to Clean Alcantara Keyboard
Many Surface Pro keyboards and other accessories feature the Alcantara material. This is a soft suede-like material that is resistant to spills and absorption. If you want to keep your Alcantara keyboard clean, the process is the same as a traditional Surface Pro keyboard.
Simply dampen a cloth with a mixture of water and mild soap, and wipe the keyboard down. However, Microsoft recommends that you use a white lint-free cloth for this material. A screen-cleaning wipe can also be used whenever needed to keep the material looking great.
However, if you have spilled something on the Alcantara material, use the same cloth and mixture, but use swirling motions to get rid of the stain, and then make sure to dry it off using a white or light-colored cloth.
Of course, stains are much easier and effectively removed if they are dealt with immediately within the first 30 minutes or so, so don’t leave a stain to sit for too long.
FAQs
Here are a few common questions that are asked about how to keep Surface Pro keyboards clean, along with their answers.
How often should I clean my Surface Pro keyboard?
The answer to this question is that it depends. Many people will clean it off regularly every month or so, but feel free to do it more frequently, especially if it gets heavy usage or is used in a manner where it collects more dirt, dust, and other debris.
Can I remove keys on my Surface Pro keyboard?
In general, no, it is not recommended that you remove the keys on your Surface Pro keyboard. While it can be done, the keys aren’t intended to be removed and there is a high chance that they will be broken or damaged if you try to remove them.
Final Thoughts
If you want to ensure your Surface Pro keyboard looks good and performs well, it is crucial to clean it regularly with a cloth, and a little bit of soap and water. Whether it is a traditional Surface Pro keyboard, or one outfitted with Alcantara material, cleaning is something you need to do.
How often do you clean your keyboards and how do you do it? Let us know in a comment below!
