Clean Your Keyboard

Before you put away that vacuum cleaner or canned air, give your keyboard a once-over too, following these steps:

1.	Unplug the keyboard from your computer. (For portables, turn off the computer.)
2.	Most keyboards cannot be disassembled easily, so don't even try. Instead, simply invert and shake to dislodge any large particles. For larger or more stubborn particles, you may need to use tweezers or a slightly moistened cotton swab.
3.	Run the vacuum cleaner or compressed air between all rows of keys.
4.	Using a soft and very slightly damp cloth, carefully wipe the keycaps clean. (Some heavy-duty stains may require the use of a mild all-purpose cleaner, but be sparing, because fluid that drips into the keyboard circuitry can damage it.)
5.	If you're the patient type and your keyboard is especially cruddy, use a very slightly moistened cotton swab to clean the sides of the keys.
6.	Plug your keyboard back in.