Can you clean removable mechanical keyboard keycaps with water?

You can clean many removable mechanical-keyboard keycaps with water, but the safe method depends on the plastic, printing, and finish. ABS and PBT are common materials; some sets also have coatings, dyes, or legends that may fade or change. Owner reports describe both successful mild washing and unwanted marks or surface changes, so do not assume every set reacts the same way.

Keep liquid away from the keyboard

Remove only keycaps designed to come off, and check the keyboard maker's care instructions first. Clean the caps separately from the electronics. If you use a cleaner, try it on a spare or inconspicuous cap before treating the whole set. Avoid vigorous shaking that can make caps strike one another.

Rinse away residue and let the caps dry completely before reinstalling them. If you are unsure about the material or printed legends, use a dry or lightly damp cloth instead of soaking them. The available owner accounts do not establish one universally safe recipe or guarantee that a particular finish will remain unchanged.