Be honest—when was the last time you really cleaned your keyboard? And no, I don’t mean wiping the top with a tissue or blowing on it like an old Nintendo cartridge. I’m talking about the mysterious crumbs, dust, and who-knows-what-else that live between those keys.
If you’re nodding along (or quietly lifting your keyboard to peek underneath—don’t worry, we’ve all done it), then you’re going to love this hack: homemade keyboard cleaning putty. Yep, the same gooey stuff that oozes into every little crevice and pulls out gunk like magic. And the best part? You can make it yourself, cheap, easy, and kind of fun.
Why Cleaning Putty Works Like a Charm
You know how vacuum cleaners are great, but there are always those spots they just can’t reach? That’s basically your keyboard. Enter cleaning putty: it molds itself into the gaps, clings to dirt, and lifts it out without scratching or damaging anything.
Think of it as slime with a purpose. Instead of being just a stress toy, it becomes your personal keyboard rescue squad.
And let’s be real—there’s something oddly satisfying about peeling off a ball of goo and seeing all the crumbs stuck to it. It’s like ASMR, but for cleaning.
What You’ll Need (Don’t Worry, It’s Simple)
Here’s the shopping list, and odds are you already have most of this stuff in your kitchen:
1 cup of warm water
¼ cup of white school glue (like Elmer’s)
½ teaspoon of baking soda
1 tablespoon of borax powder (found in the laundry aisle)
Food coloring (optional, but fun!)
A mixing bowl and spoon
That’s it. No exotic ingredients, no specialty cleaning products—just a bit of science-meets-slime magic.
Step-by-Step Recipe for DIY Keyboard Putty
Here’s where the fun begins. Roll up your sleeves and let’s whip up some goo.
Step 1: Mix the Glue and Water
In your bowl, combine the glue with the warm water.
Stir until smooth. This is your base.
Step 2: Add Baking Soda
Sprinkle in the baking soda and mix.
This helps give the putty a little structure so it’s not too runny.
Step 3: Make the Borax Solution
In a separate cup, mix the borax with ½ cup of warm water until dissolved.
Slowly add this to your glue mixture while stirring.
Step 4: Watch the Magic Happen
As you stir, the goo will start forming instantly.
Knead it with your hands until it’s stretchy, not sticky.
Step 5: Customize It
Want it to look cooler? Add a drop or two of food coloring.
Neon green slime for your keyboard? Yes, please.
How to Use Your Cleaning Putty (Without Making a Mess)
Now that you’ve got your goo, here’s how to put it to work:
Roll it into a ball and press it gently onto your keyboard.
Let it sink into the spaces between the keys.
Peel it off and admire all the dust, crumbs, and mystery fuzz it picked up.
Repeat until your keyboard looks brand new.
Pro tip: Don’t rub or smear it—just press, lift, and let the putty do its thing.
Keeping It Fresh
Homemade putty doesn’t last forever, but you can stretch its lifespan with a few tricks:
Store it in an airtight container when not in use.
If it starts looking a little gross (aka full of dirt), it’s time to toss it and make a new batch.
Typically, it lasts a few weeks before you’ll want a fresh one.
A Cleaner Keyboard, A Happier You
That’s it! You’ve just made your very own keyboard cleaning putty. No more poking between keys with toothpicks or shaking your laptop upside down like a maniac. Just squish, peel, and boom—clean keyboard.
Plus, admit it, making slime for grown-up cleaning purposes feels kind of fun. Next time your coworkers complain about their dirty keyboards, you’ll be the one saying, “Want me to bring over my magic goo?”
