Razer has a long history of making high-quality computer keyboards, including the "Blackwidow" and its variants. One thing that many people find is that these require a lot of cleaning as hair, grime and dust are highlighted by the LED lights on the keyboard. After successfully disassembling the keyboard, you can use rubbing alcohol, cotton swabs, pressurized air, and water to make the keyboard and its lights shine like new.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Remove the keys from the computer
Step 1. Take a photo of the keyboard to see where each key is placed
Later, you will have to take out each key individually and put it back in the correct place. Take a photo of the keyboard before you begin so you know the correct location for each key.
While you can refer to the photos online or the user manual for precise locations, a photo allows you to see the difference before and after cleaning
Step 2. Unplug the keyboard and turn off the lights before you start cleaning
Blackwidow keyboards have dazzling light displays, but these can be damaged if you leave them on while cleaning. Turn off all keyboard settings and unplug it from the computer to avoid shorting or damaging the keyboard lights.
Step 3. Remove the letter and number keys by pulling them out of the base
All square-shaped keys on the “Blackwidow” keyboard can be removed simply by pulling the cover straight up to detach them from the bases. You may need to move the key cover a bit to remove them, but simply pulling up will do.
Do not bend the keys when pulling, as this can damage the connection. Lift the keys up to detach them, revealing the base in the shape of a plus sign
Step 4. Remove any hinged keys, such as the space bar, the shift key, and the Enter key
These hinges hold the keys to the board, and are normally only used on larger keys. Pinch the white heels at the bottom of the bras and pull them out of their hole. Move carefully and gently to avoid breaking these fragile pieces.
- You can identify hinged keys by looking for white hinges on the underside of any keys that you haven't been able to remove. Typically, the space bar, the Shift key, the Enter key, and the Tab key will have hinges.
- The hinges are recessed into the bottom of the keyboard and are easier to see once all other keys have been removed.
Method 2 of 4: Clean the keys
Step 1. Place each key and hinge key in a plastic container
Choose a plastic container large enough to hold all the keys. A container for sandwiches or leftovers will suffice. Don't use a plastic bag or run the keys underwater individually or you won't be able to remove all the dirt and dust on them.
Put a lid on the container to prevent leaks, and store the container in the sink or in a drainage area to prevent the floor from getting dirty
Step 2. Fill the plastic container completely with water and let the keys soak
Fill the plastic key bucket with warm water to the top, or at least enough to cover the top of the key stack. Let the keys soak for at least 5 minutes to remove anything that has made them dirty.
Let the keys soak longer if there are particularly bad stains on them, up to 30 minutes maximum, as the water could loosen the surface layer of paint if it is soaked for a long time
Step 3. Pour out the water and dry the keys individually
Pour the water into the sink with one hand holding the keys in place to let the dirty water run off. Then, place a towel on the counter, and dry each key individually with a cotton swab. When you're done with a key, place it symbol side up on the towel to let it sit until there is no more water. This can take up to an hour.
Leave the keys on the towel until they are completely dry, even if it takes more than an hour. Any water on the keyboard could damage the internal electronics, so make sure there are no drops left before replacing them
Step 4. Remove any stubborn stains or dirt with an alcohol swab
If there are some keys that are not cleaned with a simple soak and dry, you will need to use a cotton swab with rubbing alcohol to remove the stains completely. Dip the end of a cotton swab in 70 percent alcohol, and gently but firmly rub the stubborn grime until it is removed or comes off.
Even though alcohol evaporates on its own, it's best to run these keys under water and dry them again so that the keyboard doesn't smell like alcohol. Place them with the symbol side on the towel when you have removed stubborn dirt
Method 3 of 4: Clean the keyboard
Step 1. Apply the dust removal spray to the empty keyboard to remove hair and large pieces
Compressed air spray, or keyboard anti-dust spray, sprays a high pressure jet of air which is perfect for cleaning delicate electronics. Once you remove the keyboard keys, spray along each line, row, and in the cracks and grooves of the keyboard to loosen and remove large chunks of grime and loose hair.
- If you can't find an anti-dust spray for your keyboard, you can use a leaf blower or similar high-pressure air blowing tool. Just put it on the ground, hold it steady on heavy objects, and let the leaf blower do its job.
- This will spread a lot of dirt, dust, hair, and other particles everywhere. If you want to keep the floor and desk clean, take the keyboard outside to clean it.
Step 2. Pour rubbing alcohol into a small plate and dip the cotton swabs in it
It's difficult to get the right amount of alcohol on a cotton swab from the bottle, so pour just enough to just barely cover the bottom of a shallow dish, such as a small bowl or clean ashtray. Dip the cotton swabs in the rubbing alcohol for a moment.
If you dip the cotton swabs in the alcohol for a long time, the cotton will come off the stick and be unusable. Instead, just soak it in for a brief second, and let the excess alcohol drip off
Step 3. Rub the main areas of the keyboard with the cotton swabs
Firmly grasp a cotton swab, and rub each key holder individually and in the grooves between them. You will need more than a few cotton buds to get the job done. Make sure to apply enough pressure to clean stubborn stains. Let the keyboard dry completely for an hour before continuing.
- If you find grime that is particularly stuck, try using more pressure, or use a small sharp object such as a pocket knife to gently break up the outside of the grime and then rub it in again with rubbing alcohol.
- Be careful with LED lights, and consider using a cotton swab that has barely any alcohol in it to rub these parts and avoid electrical damage.
Step 4. Clean the outside of the keyboard with cotton balls soaked in alcohol
Dip a cotton ball in a container of alcohol and wipe the outside of the keyboard with it, that is, the black part between the keys. Be careful not to get the cotton balls too wet or you will soak the key area with excess alcohol and possibly cause electronic damage.
- Let the keyboard dry completely before continuing, and wipe off excess alcohol with a dry cloth if necessary.
- You can also use regular cleaning wipes for this step, as they don't leak and are less likely to cause electronic damage. Opt for alcohol cleaning wipes for a better clean.
Method 4 of 4: Reinstall the keys
Step 1. Attach the hinge keys by aligning the metal bar and snapping the hinges together
On Razer “Blackwidow” keyboards, the metal bar at the bottom of the key goes "behind" the LED. Place the metal bar behind it, then pinch the white heels on either side and snap them into the base of the keyboard. You will hear a click.
Step 2. Put the keys back in the proper place on the keyboard
Check the photo you took earlier to find the appropriate place for each key. Starting from the left of the keyboard, gently push the key into place until it clicks into place.
- You won't hear a click, but the plus-sign hole will fit well over the plus-sign accessory on the keyboard.
- Do not reconnect any keys that have not fully dried, as this could cause damage to the LED lights or render the key unusable.
Step 3. Turn on the LED lights to see if there are any points you have missed
Once all the keys are in place, plug in the keyboard and turn it on. Enable the LED settings so that you can check if there are any points that you have missed. The light will highlight the places that you have obviously missed.
If you see gunk that you missed, remove the keys from the area and clean it with a cotton swab again. You don't need to go through the entire cleaning process again due to a brand
Advice
- These methods work for both the mechanical and non-mechanical varieties of Razer's “Blackwidow” keyboards.
- Clean the “Blackwidow” keyboard at least once a week, or when you start to notice dirt accumulating underneath or on the keys. LED lights are very good at highlighting dirty areas, making the keyboard look dirty more often.