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  3. Top 10 Best Keyboard Cleaners in 2020 (OXO, Cyber Clean, and More)
  • Top 10 Best Keyboard Cleaners in 2020 (OXO, Cyber Clean, and More) 1
  • Top 10 Best Keyboard Cleaners in 2020 (OXO, Cyber Clean, and More) 2
  • Top 10 Best Keyboard Cleaners in 2020 (OXO, Cyber Clean, and More) 3
  • Top 10 Best Keyboard Cleaners in 2020 (OXO, Cyber Clean, and More) 4
  • Top 10 Best Keyboard Cleaners in 2020 (OXO, Cyber Clean, and More) 5

Top 10 Best Keyboard Cleaners in 2020 (OXO, Cyber Clean, and More)

Raise your hand if you can’t stop eating at your desk. (Over half of us here are guilty of that crime.) Over time, dust accumulates. Oils accumulate. Cheetos powder and Doritos flakes and Oreo crumbs accumulate. Before you know it, there’s enough gunk and goo under your keyboard keys to give birth to another Flubber.

And you haven’t got the most delicate of movements, so you don’t trust yourself to pop off the keys for a good cleaning–that is, without breaking anything. (We feel you.) So we came up with a list of easier, less risky keyboard cleaning alternatives and a guide to help you figure out which cleaner is right for you.

This article's specialists

Julia Miller
  • Last updated: 11-20-2020
  • 12,402 views
Table of Contents

Top 10 Best Keyboard Cleaners

Have you got an idea of what you’re looking for? Because it’s time to jump into ten cleaners we think will do a pretty decent job ridding your keyboard of gunk.
1
Cyber Clean Home and Office 1
walmart.com

Cyber CleanHome and Office

3 pack

$19.11

Disinfects With Ethanol and Picks up Dust and Loose Crumbs

This goo picks up dust, hair, and crumbs and traps them forever in its gelatinous body. The first ingredient is ethanol, no doubt there to eliminate germs.

If you use it regularly, there’s a good chance you won’t need to turn to any other cleaners. This will survive months of weekly use, and the body turns green when it’s time for a replacement.


Reviewers didn't like that you can’t use the slime with stains or anything that’s caked on. Some people have used a toothpick to root around and kind of loosen things before finishing up with the goo, though.

Most reviewers said it works great, however! It's easy to use and versatile; some have also used it to clean tablets and even detail cars.

TypeGoo
Specs5.64 oz. each
2
MetroVac DataVac Electric Duster 1
walmart.com

MetroVacDataVac Electric Duster

ED-500

$82.99

Extremely Powerful Gusts of Air and an Expansive Set of Nozzles

Look into this one if you have other expensive tech equipment you need to clean or if you just really, really love your keyboard. It’s easily more powerful than a can of compressed air, blowing computer mice, notebooks, and lamp stands right off your desk. That’s just one of the reasons you want to use this outside.

The other reason is it’s going to blow loads and loads of dust out of crevices you didn’t even know existed. You do have to keep it plugged in, but the cord is over ten feet long. It also comes with a set of nozzles to give you huge, powerful blasts and more concentrated streams for hard-to-reach places.

Reviewers agree that this keeps their keyboards much cleaner than compressed air cans. They weren't crazy about the bulk of the cord or the fact that it's pretty loud, but they love how powerful it is.

TypeElectric handheld vacuum
Specs
3
OXO Good Grips Electronics Cleaning Brush 1
amazon.com

OXOGood Grips Electronics Cleaning Brush

Orange

$5.99

Silicone End for Scraping off Gunk and Dirt; Soft Brush for Attracting out Hair and Dust

Since this double-ended brush is pencil-like, it offers you a lot of control. It’s got a silicone wiper on one end that you can use to scrub away gunk without scratching your electronics. The tip is chiseled like a highlighter, making it easier to dig around keys.

The brush end has soft bristles that won't cause any damage, and the whole thing is retractable so you can take it on the go. PC and MacBook users alike loved how easy it made the job of cleaning their electronics. Some wish the silicone end was a bit harder, but most said it got the job done.
TypeBrush
SpecsSilicone wiper and bristles; retractable
4
EasyGo Compucleaner 2.0 1
amazon.com

EasyGoCompucleaner 2.0

$46.99

Cost-Effective Blower With Two Powerful Speed Settings

This blower delivers gusts strong enough to dislodge most particles, and it's so powerful that you may not want to use this in the office! It has two speed settings and comes with three sizeable nozzles, so you may have to pry the keys off your keyboard first. It's also available in three colors!

Reviewer complaints mostly consist of the large size of the nozzles and the fact that the motor heats up pretty fast. This would be better used in short bursts than a long de-dusting session. Overall, most buyers were impressed at the power this compact machine can deliver.
TypeHigh pressure air duster
SpecsInterchangeable tips
5
OXO Good Grips Keyboard & Screen Deep Cleaning Set 1
amazon.com

OXOGood Grips Keyboard & Screen Deep Cleaning Set

$9.99

Keeps Both the Keyboard and Screen of Your Laptop Debris-Free on Your Travels

This handheld set is good for on-the-go cleanups. The bristles keep debris from building up between your keys when you’re traveling, and the microfiber cloth can be used on your monitor, around the keys, or on the touchpad to wipe away dust and fingerprints.

Reviewers wouldn't recommend this for heavy-duty cleaning, and they say the cloth can get in the way if you're using the brush on the storage ring. However, buyers agree that it's great at picking up loose dirt and it's great for working out and about.

TypeBrush and microfiber cloth
Specs2 brushes, storage ring, storage bag for cloth
6
MECO Keyboard Cleaner with Cleaning Gel 1
amazon.com

MECOKeyboard Cleaner with Cleaning Gel

$19.99

Ideal for Daily Clean-ups to Clear Dust and Small Debris

This is a small, cheap vacuum you can keep around your workspace. It comes with a USB charger and two nozzles–a flat one that will dig into corners and sweep horizontally along your keys, and a bristle brush that will flick out and inhale dust and hair.

Even with daily use, a charge can last at least a week, though as battery levels drop, the suction power will also weaken. Actually, reviewers say it’s not super powerful to begin with; it won’t pick up anything large or sticky. You can use the included goo for bigger debris as long as it’s not caked onto your keyboard.
TypeMini vacuum & gel
SpecsRechargeable, cordless
7
Metro Vacuum DataVac Pro 4.5 Computer Vac/Blower 1
amazon.com

Metro VacuumDataVac Pro 4.5 Computer Vac/Blower

MDV-1BA

$103.99

Gentle Yet Effective Vacuum-Blower Combo for Delicate Electronics

Get this if you want to really pamper your keyboard. It comes with a pin-point nozzle, which you can use to blast air and particles stuck in between your keys. Then you can use the bristle brush and the thin hose nozzle on the vacuum setting to pick up the pieces.

While this may not be a leaf-blower, it is certainly enough to get clouds of dust out of computers and keyboards, so use this outside. The vacuum, likewise, is not that strong, which actually makes it well-suited for electronics with fragile components. Reviewers love its portability and how it saves them from having to buy air blower cans.
TypeVacuum-blower combo
Specs6 nozzle attachments
8
APBFH Anti-Static Cleaning Keyboard Brush Kit 1
amazon.com

APBFHAnti-Static Cleaning Keyboard Brush Kit

$12.99

Stiff Bristles for Quickly Scraping Between Tall Keys

These bristles are pretty stiff, so they do scrub off gunk and old, caked-on dust. They’re especially good for scraping off the sides of tall keys. However, these brushes aren’t very effective on keys that are shallow or set close together, and you might leave behind some scratches.

Negative reviews of the brush set mainly focused on the stiffness of the bristles, but many buyers agreed that it was good for light cleaning. Some even use it for other electronics around the house!
TypeBrush set
Specs5 different anti-static brush tools
9
Zonon 202 Pieces Keyboard Cleaner Cleaning Tools Set 1
amazon.com

Zonon202 Pieces Keyboard Cleaner Cleaning Tools Set

$8.99

Perfect for Getting at the Junk Under Your Keys

If your keyboard cleaning experience involves a deeper clean than just shaking it out and vacuuming around the keys, then you'll want to invest in this versatile set. You can pull keys off the keyboard safely using the key puller tool, and then you can gently brush away any dust, dirt, and crumbs you see. 


The dampeners included can help reduce the clacking noise of larger mechanical keyboards. Some reviewers weren't crazy about the brush, but even those buyers agreed that the key puller is what makes this set most worth it. 

TypeBrush and key puller
SpecsCleaning brush, key puller tool, 200 O-ring switch dampeners, storage case
10
ColorCoral Universal Dust Cleaner 1
amazon.com

ColorCoralUniversal Dust Cleaner

5 pack

$9.99

Individually-Packaged Packs of Gel to Clean on the Go

If you're not into the idea of having a giant jar of cleaning gel on the desk or you just want a more portable version of it, then consider these handy goo packs. Each pack can be used multiple times, and they supposedly smell like lavender! Once the gel becomes dark, though, it needs to be replaced.


Reviewers were surprised at how well this worked after a bit of maneuvering. It was able to pick up crumbs, dust, and more. They loved that they could keep one in the car, at home, and at the office. Just keep in mind that some gel bits may get left behind.

TypeGoo
Specs5 individual packs

Compare the Best Keyboard Cleaners

Image
1
Cyber Clean Home and Office 1

Cyber Clean

2
MetroVac DataVac Electric Duster 1

MetroVac

3
OXO Good Grips Electronics Cleaning Brush 1

OXO

4
EasyGo Compucleaner 2.0 1

EasyGo

5
OXO Good Grips Keyboard & Screen Deep Cleaning Set 1

OXO

6
MECO Keyboard Cleaner with Cleaning Gel 1

MECO

7
Metro Vacuum DataVac Pro 4.5 Computer Vac/Blower 1

Metro Vacuum

8
APBFH Anti-Static Cleaning Keyboard Brush Kit 1

APBFH

9
Zonon 202 Pieces Keyboard Cleaner Cleaning Tools Set 1

Zonon

10
ColorCoral Universal Dust Cleaner 1

ColorCoral

Name

Home and Office

DataVac Electric Duster

Good Grips Electronics Cleaning Brush

Compucleaner 2.0

Good Grips Keyboard & Screen Deep Cleaning Set

Keyboard Cleaner with Cleaning Gel

DataVac Pro 4.5 Computer Vac/Blower

Anti-Static Cleaning Keyboard Brush Kit

202 Pieces Keyboard Cleaner Cleaning Tools Set

Universal Dust Cleaner

Features

Disinfects With Ethanol and Picks up Dust and Loose Crumbs

Extremely Powerful Gusts of Air and an Expansive Set of Nozzles

Silicone End for Scraping off Gunk and Dirt; Soft Brush for Attracting out Hair and Dust

Cost-Effective Blower With Two Powerful Speed Settings

Keeps Both the Keyboard and Screen of Your Laptop Debris-Free on Your Travels

Ideal for Daily Clean-ups to Clear Dust and Small Debris

Gentle Yet Effective Vacuum-Blower Combo for Delicate Electronics

Stiff Bristles for Quickly Scraping Between Tall Keys

Perfect for Getting at the Junk Under Your Keys

Individually-Packaged Packs of Gel to Clean on the Go

Price$19.11$82.99$5.99$46.99$9.99$19.99$103.99$12.99$8.99$9.99
TypeGooElectric handheld vacuumBrushHigh pressure air dusterBrush and microfiber clothMini vacuum & gelVacuum-blower comboBrush setBrush and key pullerGoo
Specs5.64 oz. eachSilicone wiper and bristles; retractableInterchangeable tips2 brushes, storage ring, storage bag for clothRechargeable, cordless6 nozzle attachments5 different anti-static brush toolsCleaning brush, key puller tool, 200 O-ring switch dampeners, storage case5 individual packs
Link

How to Choose a Keyboard Cleaner – Buying Guide

Your keyboard isn’t getting any cleaner as you’re reading this. In fact, it’s probably getting dirtier. So let’s get to it and talk about what cleaner will work best for you.

The Type of Cleaner Depends on How Dirty Your Keys Are

Depending on how bad the mess under your keys is, you’ll have to use one of four main types of cleaners: goo, brushes, blowers, and hand-held vacuums. You can also use any two or three in conjunction–attacking your keyboard with blowers first to dislodge dirt, for example, and then using slime to clean up any remains.

Brushes, Wipes, and Goo to Pick Up Moderate Amounts of Gunk

Brushes, Wipes, and Goo to Pick Up Moderate Amounts of Gunk

If you're looking to clean your keys before they become a hot and sticky mess, then you can go for a goo or brush cleaner. Neither have the power to dislodge anything that’s stuck deep or firmly underneath your keys, but both are quick and easy to use.

Brushes are good for daily maintenance and picking out any dust or particles that get into your keys before they have a chance to build up. With brushes, though, you want to make sure the bristles aren’t too rough or stiff, or you could the run the risk of scratching your keys.
Brushes, Wipes, and Goo to Pick Up Moderate Amounts of Gunk

Goo’s great because it traps all the debris inside itself so you don’t need to flick things out of your keyboard only to have to flick them off your desk. Just know that once it’s saturated with gunk, you’ll have to toss the slime and buy a new pack.

Wipes are great for mild surface grime, like when you accidentally drop food on the keys or type after eating something sticky. These are often in the forms of cloth soaked in disinfectant. If you have keyboard stickers, though, the cleaner may cause stickers to peel off.

Handheld Vacuums and Blowers to Dislodge Deep-Set Stuff

Handheld Vacuums and Blowers to Dislodge Deep-Set Stuff
With a powerful blast of air, you can dislodge gunk from deep within the labyrinth of your keys. For that, there are blowers powered by electric motors. 

Note that they are powerful, to the point that you may want to use them outside, with a pair of safety goggles and a mask to protect you from the dust and chip bits that are going to be peppering your face.

Handheld Vacuums and Blowers to Dislodge Deep-Set Stuff
Though more expensive, we do recommend electric blowers over cans of compressed air, especially if you’re concerned about the environment. Most of these cans utilize hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are a potent greenhouse gas. Tetrafluoroethane, a common HFC, has a global warming potential (GWP) of over 1,400, whereas CO2 has a GWP of 1.

Vacuums are good because they suck dust up instead of dispersing it back into the air. However, before use, make sure your keyboard doesn’t have any keys that pop off easily. Vacuums are also shunned because they run up the risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD), which can zap your electronics. However, most keyboards don’t have many sensitive components, so it’s not as big of an issue.

Customizable Parts Can Get into Nooks and Crannies

Customizable Parts Can Get into Nooks and Crannies
Many brushes come in sets or at least with multiple tips. These include big, soft, round brushes for quick dusting and fine points for more precise work. Some may even have silicone or rubber scrapers for more stubborn gunk.
Vacuums and air blowers may also come with different nozzles–so you can deliver both big powerful blasts and smaller, more concentrated gusts between keys.

For Extra Peace of Mind, Make Sure it Disinfects

For Extra Peace of Mind, Make Sure it Disinfects
You may have blown away the visible gunk. But, as it is with most things, the biggest danger is what you can’t see–the germs and bacteria that are still lurking between the keys.
Normally, we’d just recommend you finish up the job with Lysol or Clorox wipes. However, if you want to save yourself some trouble, then look for cleaners that have sterilizing agents. Alcohols such as ethanol are popular and effective disinfectants.

More Supplies to Stock Your Office With

More Supplies to Stock Your Office With

Now that you've streamlined your keyboard cleaning process, why not reinvent your entire desk environment? Here are some helpful products to get you started.

Top 10 Best Desk Fans in 2020
Top 10 Best USB Power Strips in 2020
Top 10 Best Lap Desks in 2020

Summary

Most of us live at our desks, our hands glued to our keyboards. So we owe it to ourselves to keep the keys clean. While you may still need to pry apart and soak your keyboard for a thorough cleaning, if you use the tools above to regularly maintain your workspace, you’ll be set for a long time.

Keep Your Whole Space Clean With Expert-Recommended Cleaners

Tidying your space can help your space and your mind feel organized. And with hygiene more important than ever, you'll want only the best supplies to clean your space with, right? Sustainability and travel advocate Julia Miller thinks you should go with something that not only works, but can help out the environment as well!

Specialist's
mybest
Supernatural Counters + Granite Set 1
supernatural.com

SupernaturalCounters + Granite Set

$25.00

Julia Miller
Sustainability and Travel Advocate
Julia Miller
Julia is obsessed with travel, sustainability and all things outdoors She grew up in Seattle, WA and is now living in Ventura, CA. She...

Make Your House Smell Amazing While Being Sustainable

I love these because they are non-toxic cleaning supplies that really work and smell amazing! They come in glass bottles and come with glass refills. Once you're about to run out you, just order the refills and are able to refill the glass bottles you already have. 


I wasn't the person who had all of the different cleaning supplies before COVID-19 but wanted to get some to make my house feel as clean as possible without the toxic chemicals, and these are amazing. The essential oils in the sprays also smell so, so good compared to normal cleaning supplies!

Jules' Top 10 Zero- and Low-Waste AlternativesJules' Top 10 Zero- and Low-Waste Alternatives

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