Keyboard Cleaning Technique

Start by unplugging your keyboard or removing the batteries. This is a simple step but has to be said.

Find all the screws and remove them. A small driver like the one Ifixit has will do the trick. There is often a screw hiding behind a sneaky sticker or battery panel. You'll need to remove that one too.

Most keyboards I have encountered have a secondary "clip" on the sides. using a smudger or pick will help get you past this.

Place the keyboard on a firm surface with the KEYS FACING DOWN! This is important. Some keyboards have floating keys and opening it with the keys facing up could put you in a bind when you put it back together.

Inside you will find about 3 more screws holding a ribbon cable to a board. Take note the orientation of the rubber grommet and metal bar. This is how it will need to go back together. Remover those screws and the electronics attached.

The ribbon cable connects to a larger sheet that acts as a capacitive touch button thing... either way, the name is less important than you wiping this down with rubbing alcohol.

The rest of the keyboard, assuming you do not have floating keys, can go in the dishwasher on the top rack. DO NOT RUN A STEAM CYCLE. If the notion of being without your keyboard for a couple hours scares you, feel free to elbow grease the grime out of the keys and give it a good washing with regular dish soap.

Now we put it back together, ensuring everything has had ample time to dry. Usually a few hours in the hot sun will do the trick, or overnight next to the heater vent. Keyboards are built tougher than jaw lines in a James MacAvoy movie from 2008. The heat won't hurt it.

If there is key issues, you did not seat the ribbon correctly. Take it all back apart and start again. This time ensuring the keyboard is completely dry before assembly, then the ribbon is in place.