User Guide
them back on a mechanical keyboard. Use a key puller to help pull off the key caps. Remember
that the keys have different shapes based upon placement in the keyboard and, in the case of
the Das Keyboard Ultimate, it can be very hard to differentiate the keys. We recommend
organizing the key caps as they are removed to help easily put them back after cleaning the
keyboard. We strongly discourage anyone from attempting to remove the space bar, return
key, and other large-sized keys. These keys have a support bar underneath them that can make
it very tricky to remove the key and even more difficult to put it back in place. As shown in the
photo below, the stabilizer bar connects to 2 little white pieces attached to the key cap. It is very
easy to break these pieces or even lose one if it flies off the key cap when removed.
Unfortunately, there are no replacement parts available for these, so once broken or lost, the
keys they attach to will no longer function properly. Since it is possible to get a very thorough
cleaning without removing these keys, it’s recommended to leave them in place.
2) Once the keys are removed, hold the keyboard upside-down and shake it to let the loose
debris drop out of the keyboard. Then, take a can of air and a brush to help loosen and remove
any remaining bits inside.
3) If something has spilled into the keyboard, take a damp cotton cloth or microfiber and wipe
the area with it. If needed, use a drop of isopropyl alcohol or diluted liquid soap (1 drop to a
gallon of water) to help remove any sticky substances. Do not apply the liquid directly to the
keyboard, apply it onto the cloth. The switches in Das Keyboards use gold contacts because the
gold prevents the contacts from rusting; however, if there is any liquid in the switch around the
contact, it will keep the connection closed (as it is when a key is depressed), until the water
evaporates. Always check with the manufacturer of your keyboard because some keyboards
(excluding the Das Keyboard) do not do well with alcohol and might be damaged by it. If this is
not enough to clean the spill, check out our blog post on cleaning beverage spills. It’s very risky
to soak your keyboard in isopropyl alcohol, but if nothing else is working, it may be worth it to
save the keyboard.
4) Place the key caps back on the keyboard and then take a very slightly damp cotton cloth or
microfiber and wipe the top of the keys and the enclosure with it. If the keys are seriously dirty