Considering the hours I put behind the keyboard, I like to clean my wireless keyboard 1-2x every week, usually with a slightly dampened cloth, followed by a little hand sanitizer* to wipe away both the oils and eliminate any germs calling the keys home. It's an easy habit to keep, but also causes a moment when my computer goes a little bonkers as I press all the keys while wiping...
Of course, if you've got a wired USB model, you can simply unplug the keyboard while cleaning to prevent the temporary crazed state. And wireless keyboard owners could remove the battery while doing so (or turn off their Bluetooth connection). But here's an even easier utility for OS X users called KeyboardCleanTool (Windows users have a similar utility, ToddlerTrap).
At the press of a button, KeyboardCleanTool and ToddlerTrap disengage your keyboard from recognizing any input, preventing the wild seizure-inducing screen show of opening/closing windows and typed gibberish while wiping across the keys. Each utility is free, simple to use, and now part of my weekly computer cleaning regimen (I've yet to try out the mascara brush technique).
*And if you're worried whether sanitizer is safe, note Apple actually recommends using commercial sanitizer for keyboard maintenance, but we think using a little hand sanitizer on a cloth or paper towel is the more economic route.
Other Keyboard Cleaning Tips:
Keyboard Cleaning Tools (That are Free!)
5 Ways to Clean Your Keyboard
How to Deep Clean Your Apple Keyboard
NPR Asks: Can You Clean Your Keyboard in the Dishwasher ...
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Or, you know, turn the computer off for 30 seconds. (The horror!)
Try2Cope: included mention of alternative unplugging USB or pulling out batteries for wireless models, but sometimes we all find ourselves wanting/needing to clean up the keyboard in the middle of a hectic day. Both these apps let you get to cleanup quick without having to completely turn off your machine, which is more efficient.
Or you can turn off your computer....or do it at the beginning or end of the day when its off anyways. I really think people shouldn't download pointless "utilities" on to their comps. If you actually spill something, you should turn off or unplug the keyboard.
Very useful :) My keyboard is a mess...
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i like to vacuum it too. hoovers out all the misc crumbs and pet hairs that get lodged in there.
Or... You can buy a silicone keyboard skin on eBay for $2. Bought one 2 months ago and it works really well.
Dirty doesn't accumilate as quickly, no more crumbs in between the keys. And if it gets real dirty, just take of off, wipe it down (with sanitizer or soap and water) and you're done!
If you have a windows computer you could lock the screen using ctrl + alt + delete (or the windows button + L) then clean. Shutting down your computer is best, though as most people probably don't do that enough.
What are you doing with your hands, or how many people are you letting use your keyboard, that you have to worry about germs 1-2x/week? That seems a little excessive to me...
hand sanitizer doesn't really do what you think it does. it does kill some germs, but there are some other forms of bacteria that eat it. just sayin'.
Or just turn it off?