Can you wash mechanical keyboard keycaps?

Yes. Soak in warm soapy water, scrub, rinse, and dry completely before reinstalling. Never wash the keyboard base.

Can you use rubbing alcohol on a mechanical keyboard?

Yes, 90%+ isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly and is safe for the PCB and switch housings. Avoid lower concentrations.

Remove the keycap, clean around the switch with alcohol and a cotton swab, and let dry. If still sticky, the switch may need replacement.

Only if you are experienced. Stabilizers are tricky to remove and reinstall. Clean around them with cotton swabs.

Electronics

Your mechanical keyboard need regular cleaning to perform well and last longer. Here's the safe way to do it without damaging sensitive components.

1
Unplug and remove keycaps
Disconnect the keyboard. Use a keycap puller to carefully remove all keycaps. Place them in a bowl of warm soapy water to soak.
2
Remove loose debris
Turn the keyboard upside down and shake gently. Use compressed air to blast crumbs, hair, and dust from between the switches.
3
Clean around the switches
Dip cotton swabs in isopropyl alcohol and clean around each switch stem. Brush stubborn grime with a soft brush.
4
Wash and dry keycaps
Scrub the soaking keycaps with your fingers, rinse thoroughly, and lay them on a towel to dry completely (several hours).
5
Reassemble
Once keycaps are completely dry, press them firmly back onto the correct switch stems. Reference a keyboard layout photo if needed.

TIPPhotograph your keyboard layout before removing keycaps so you can reassemble correctly.
TIPUse a small vacuum on low suction for debris removal instead of compressed air, which can push particles under switches.
TIPDeep clean every 3-6 months. Do a quick compressed air pass monthly.

XUsing water on the keyboard base (PCB), which shorts circuits and can permanently damage the electronics.
XForcing keycaps off at an angle, which breaks the switch stems -- pull straight up.
XPutting damp keycaps back on, which introduces moisture into the switches and causes corrosion.

Compressed air monthly. Full keycap removal and deep clean every 3-6 months depending on use and environment.