Hardware tips / K-001

How to Clean and Care for Your K-001 Keyboard

A quick clean once a week and a deep clean every few months will keep your K-001 feeling and sounding like new. This guide covers both routines, what to avoid, what to do after a spill, and how to look after the wrist rest and carry case.

The tools you need for the keyboard itself are already in the box.

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What you’ll need

From the K-001 box:

• Keycap puller
• Switch puller (only for swapping switches, not for cleaning)

From home:

• A microfiber cloth
• Compressed air and a soft brush
• Warm water and a drop of mild dish soap
• Isopropyl alcohol (optional, for grime water won’t shift)
• A clean towel to dry keycaps on

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Quick clean (weekly, about 2 minutes)

1. Unplug the keyboard.
2. Shake out loose debris. Hold the K-001 upside down and give it a gentle shake. A few short bursts of compressed air between the keys helps too.
3. Wipe it down. Use a dry or slightly damp microfiber cloth on the keycaps, the case and around the dial. If water isn’t enough, lightly dampen the cloth with isopropyl alcohol. Never spray anything directly onto the keyboard.
4. Plug it back in once everything is fully dry.

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Deep clean (every 2 to 3 months)

1. Unplug the keyboard.
2. Take a photo of your layout. It makes putting the keycaps back much faster.
3. Remove the keycaps with the included keycap puller. Pull straight up with steady pressure. Never lever them off with a screwdriver or your fingers. Take extra care with the larger keys (Space, Shift, Enter and Backspace). They sit on stabilisers, so pull them straight up slowly.
4. Wash the keycaps. Soak them in warm water with a drop of mild dish soap, rinse well and lay them out on a towel to air dry completely. This can take up to 24 hours. Don’t use heat (hair dryer, oven, heat gun) to speed it up.
5. Clean the exposed plate. While the keycaps dry, use compressed air and a soft brush to clear dust from between the switches, then wipe with a microfiber cloth.
6. Put it back together. Once everything is fully dry, press the keycaps back on, pressing the larger keys down evenly so they seat on their stabilisers. Then plug the keyboard back in.

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Looking after the case and base

The K-001 case is bead-blasted, anodised aluminium, and the underside and risers share the same silicone finish. A dry or slightly damp microfiber cloth is all either needs.

Keep harsh solvents such as acetone, ammonia and surface cleaners away from both. They can damage the finish and the keycap legends.

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Swapping switches

You don’t need to remove switches for routine cleaning. The switch puller in the box is for swapping a switch out.

If you do swap switches, choose compatible switches and calibrate them in WALLHACK Terminal for the best performance.

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Wrist rest and carry case

The K-001 Wrist Rest is a single piece of silicone. Wipe it with a cloth dampened with warm water and a drop of mild dish soap, then let it dry fully before you put it back on your desk.

When you travel, pack the K-001 in the included carry case. It keeps dust and pocket lint out of the keyboard between sessions.

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What to avoid

• Spraying liquid directly onto the keyboard. Liquids and electronics don’t mix well. Put it on the cloth instead.
• Harsh solvents such as acetone, ammonia or surface cleaners. They can damage the keycap legends and the case finish.
• Putting keycaps back on before they’re fully dry.
• Pulling keycaps off without a puller.
• Using heat to dry anything, including a dishwasher’s drying cycle.

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FAQ

Do I need to remove the switches to clean my K-001?

No. Taking the keycaps off is enough for a deep clean. Only remove switches if you’re swapping them.

Can I put the keycaps in the dishwasher?

We don’t recommend it. Dishwashers use heat, which you should avoid. Wash them by hand in warm, soapy water and let them air dry.

Can I use isopropyl alcohol?

Yes, lightly, on a microfiber cloth for the keycaps and case. Never spray or pour it onto the keyboard.

How long do the keycaps take to dry?

Up to 24 hours. Make sure they’re completely dry before putting them back on.

Where can I find the K-001 manual?

The manual that comes in the box is available to download in English, Japanese and Chinese. It covers what’s in the box, installing the risers and setting up your K-001.

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