MRPD Keyboard Cleaner Review: Does It Remove Stubborn Grime?

MRPD Keyboard Cleaner Review: Does It Remove Stubborn Grime?Keeping a keyboard clean matters more than many people realize. Dust, crumbs, oils from fingers, and other grime build up between keycaps and inside switches, affecting typing feel, hygiene, and sometimes functionality. The MRPD Keyboard Cleaner promises an easy, effective way to remove stubborn grime without disassembling your keyboard. In this review I test its performance, durability, ease of use, and value — and give clear guidance on when it’s a good choice.

What is the MRPD Keyboard Cleaner?

The MRPD Keyboard Cleaner is a handheld cleaning device marketed for mechanical and membrane keyboards. It typically combines a soft, tacky cleaning pad or gel with a shaped applicator or tool designed to reach between keycaps and into gaps. The product is positioned as a reusable, non-toxic solution for lifting dust, hair, and oily residue without liquid cleaners or full keyboard disassembly.

What I tested and how

• Keyboards used: a full-size mechanical (Cherry MX switches), a tenkeyless mechanical (Gateron switches), and a plastic-membrane office keyboard.
• Grime types simulated: dry dust, fine crumbs, and fingertip oil mixed with dust to simulate sticky residue.
• Tests performed:
  • Surface pickup (top of keycaps)
  • Between-keycap pickup (between rows and around larger keys)
  • Switch-gap pickup (deeper cleaning near switch stems)
  • Residue removal (sticky/oily grime)
  • Reusability and cleaning of the cleaner itself
  • Compatibility with different keycap profiles and spacing

First impressions and build

The MRPD unit arrives in simple retail packaging. The cleaning medium is soft, slightly tacky, and pliable — similar to common keyboard gels but housed in a molded tool body for better reach and grip. The material feels non-abrasive and doesn’t leave visible residue on my fingers when handled briefly.

• Build quality: Solid plastic handle/apparatus; gel/pad noticeably pliable but cohesive.
• Smell/toxicity: No strong chemical odor; manufacturer claims non-toxic ingredients.
• Instructions: Basic — press into gaps, pull out collected debris, repeat.

Performance results

Surface pickup

• Excellent at lifting dust and loose crumbs from the tops of keycaps. A few quick presses and lifts removed visible particles.

Between-keycap pickup

• Good. The pliable material conforms to rows and clears dust and hair in most inter-key spaces. Larger stabilizer areas (spacebar, shift, enter) sometimes required targeted pressing.

Switch-gap pickup

• Moderate. The cleaner picks up superficial debris near switch stems but cannot remove deep, compacted grease or debris inside switch housings without keycap removal.

Sticky/oily residue

• Mixed results. For light fingertip oil mixed with dust, the MRPD gel lifted and trapped the grime effectively, leaving keys appearing clean. For older, more viscous or baked-on residue (for example, months of oily build-up or spilled sugary drinks), the gel softened some residue but didn’t fully remove it. Follow-up with isopropyl alcohol and keycap removal was needed for full recovery.

Reusability and maintenance

• The gel/pad retains stickiness over multiple uses but gradually accumulates visible debris. The unit is rated reusable — I tested it across several sessions. Cleaning the gel (by kneading to incorporate debris into a clump and peeling it away) restores functionality for a while. Over weeks of heavy use the gel darkened and became less tacky; replacement/refill is necessary then.

Keyboard compatibility

• Works well on both mechanical and membrane keyboards with standard spacing. Very low-profile laptop-style keys are harder to engage fully. Keycaps with large gaps or deep contours may trap debris that the gel cannot reach without targeted pressing.

Pros and cons

Tips for best results

• Use the MRPD cleaner regularly (every 1–2 weeks) to prevent heavy build-up; it’s far more effective at removing fresh grime than long-standing residue.
• For sticky or oily build-up older than a few weeks, remove keycaps and clean with 70–99% isopropyl alcohol or warm soapy water (for ABS/PBT keycaps) after using the MRPD to remove loose debris.
• Avoid stretching or tearing the gel — fold it inward when debris accumulates and peel away clumps rather than scraping.
• Store the gel in its case or a sealed bag to prevent drying and contamination.

Verdict — does it remove stubborn grime?

• For fresh dust, crumbs, and light oily residue: yes. The MRPD Keyboard Cleaner is an easy, effective tool to keep keyboards looking and feeling clean without disassembly.
• For stubborn, baked-on grease or long-term sticky spills: no, not by itself. It can help soften and remove some surface buildup, but full removal typically requires keycap removal and targeted cleaning with alcohol or soapy water.

If you want a low-effort, regular-maintenance tool to keep your keyboard tidy, MRPD is a good buy. If you’re dealing with months of grime or a spill, expect to complement it with deeper cleaning methods.

If you want, I can add a short how-to cleaning guide with step-by-step instructions and safety notes for using MRPD plus follow-up deep-cleaning methods.