Do blank, white, pbt keycaps get dirty quickly? (2024)

FAQs

Do blank, white, pbt keycaps get dirty quickly? ›

Blank/engraved white keycaps are very easy to clean though, just soak them in bleach and they'll come out white again. If you keep your hands dirty while typing, then you can expect the keycaps to get dirty.

Environmental condition and user hygiene will affect how quickly keycaps get dirty. Below are example of PBT keycaps after 3 months of usage. Next to them are the same keycaps after cleaning using a pencil eraser and a cotton swap dipped in 95% ethanol.

Generally, PBT is known to be better for long-term use and will not wear or get greasy as much, good for people with hands on the sweatier side. The ABS keycaps, on the other hand, have more vivid color options available and offer a silky, skin-like touch.

Preference for Cleanliness: Really, the last but not least (personally, I count this as the most important consideration), while white surfaces may show dirt more easily, some people appreciate the motivation to keep their peripherals and workspace clean.

Remove the keycaps from your keyboard. Place the keycaps into the container of warm soapy water and let it sit for 30 to 60 minutes. Make sure that the keycaps are completely submerged in the water.

Blank/engraved white keycaps are very easy to clean though, just soak them in bleach and they'll come out white again. If you keep your hands dirty while typing, then you can expect the keycaps to get dirty. If you wash your hands before typing, then I guess you won't have that issue....

PBT, as compared to ABS, is far more robust, so it both wears more slowly than ABS, and the pattern of wear is more even, so the keycaps stay usable and pretty for longer. Additionally, PBT is more resistant to degradation caused by UV light. UV being the main cause of vibrant keycaps losing their color over time.

Use PBT Keycaps

As we have mentioned that PBT keycaps won't be oily for a very long time, it's best for you to consider a well-made PBT keycap set. We have here a review of 21 good-quality PBT keycaps that deserve to be on your keyboard, so don't forget to check it out.

PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate) is a stronger and thicker plastic. ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a versatile, affordable plastic used more often. PBT keycaps are of higher quality than ABS keycaps, thanks to their better material properties.

That's right, folks, wash them. Whether they're PBT or ABS, your keycaps and the legends inscribed upon them are more than capable of surviving a quick swim. So, prepare a large bowl with hot (but not boiling) water mixed with normal dish soap.

Do white keyboards get dirty easier? ›

I've found that white caps and boards make me clean my board more, which is good. I'd rather have a clean white board than a dirty black board with hidden grime. Ooooo, good point! Might have to go for some now.

They found that keyboards can have high levels of bacteria on them and that shared keyboards tend to have more bacteria than those used by only one person. Even more disturbing, research by University of Arizona researchers also found that the average desktop has 400 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat.

Some keyboard keys don't work when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously. The key presses that don't show up on the computer or seem to have disappeared are said to have been "ghosted". On most keyboards, even some that are explicitly marketed as "Anti-Ghosting," this happens with many three key combinations.

Put the keycaps in a sealable container (or in a bowl, if that's all you have handy). Drizzle in a little Dawn soap, and fill the container with hot water. Seal and gently shake the container, or just swish the keycaps around in the bowl a bit. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes.

It's best to entirely avoid wiping the actual switches, especially the top, since any dampness could cause damage. Remove the keycaps from their soapy water soak and wipe them down to clean any lingering grime, if necessary. Allow to air dry on a towel (letter side up) for at least 6 hours.

A gentle cleaner - dish soap works well - for soaking and cleaning the keycaps. A surface cleaning liquid - a 70% isopropyl alcohol solution works great. A vacuum cleaner - with a small, narrow attachment.

PBT is one of the most durable plastics that is widely used and available for keycap sets. The inscriptions will not wear over time, even under extreme use.

Theoretically, PBT can be shiny, but you won't meet that in several years or even the keyboard's life span with well-made ones. If your PBT keycaps shine too soon, it may be that you have bought a very cheap set. Or, it may be due to the spacebar or the shift keycaps made of ABS.

PBT Double-shot keycap

These keycaps are shine and stain-resistant, made for fast movements and non-stop use, all while maintaining their original look. This keycap type is produced when two layers of plastic are molded into each other. No printing is necessary. The end result is a key legend that will never fade away.