Comments on: How to Clean A Keyboard http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/ Wed, 23 May 2012 19:57:18 +0000 hourly 1 By: Oscar http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-64268 Oscar Fri, 07 Jan 2011 14:47:25 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-64268 Take a picture of your keyboard with a digital camera. Use a fingernail file or pen to pop the keys off. Soak the keys in hot, soapy water and clean the keyboard with a damp cloth. Using the pic you took of the keyboard, put the keys (dried) back where they belong. Take a picture of your keyboard with a digital camera. Use a fingernail file or pen to pop the keys off. Soak the keys in hot, soapy water and clean the keyboard with a damp cloth. Using the pic you took of the keyboard, put the keys (dried) back where they belong.

]]> By: Beth http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-63748 Beth Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:29:00 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-63748 I use a good vodka to clean in between the keys etc. It evaporates quickly and is cheap. Some unused paint brushes and one is good to go. Plus once you are done there should be some left in the bottle so you can celebrate having clean keyboard. I use a good vodka to clean in between the keys etc. It evaporates quickly and is cheap. Some unused paint brushes and one is good to go. Plus once you are done there should be some left in the bottle so you can celebrate having clean keyboard.

]]> By: Josh http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-6283 Josh Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:05:13 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-6283 Use a Dremel rotary drill with polishing bit (the actual bit is a screwmandrel that you attach cotton polishing pieces to). Gets in between the keys nice and easy and super clean afterward. Use a Dremel rotary drill with polishing bit (the actual bit is a screwmandrel that you attach cotton polishing pieces to). Gets in between the keys nice and easy and super clean afterward.

]]> By: Rachel http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-3705 Rachel Sat, 06 Sep 2008 04:42:56 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-3705 I second the dishwasher method. Nothing could be easier. Just be sure to let it dry out completely before plugging it back in. I second the dishwasher method. Nothing could be easier. Just be sure to let it dry out completely before plugging it back in.

]]> By: David http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-3201 David Sat, 23 Aug 2008 06:52:08 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-3201 Throw it in the dishwasher, top rack. Dry excessively afterward with a hair dryer. Works fine. Throw it in the dishwasher, top rack. Dry excessively afterward with a hair dryer. Works fine.

]]> By: emphatico http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-1015 emphatico Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:20:24 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-1015 There are _always_ methods requiring the complete dismantling, cleaning, and re-assembly of the keyboard, but what follows is an almost surefire method that has never (yet) let me down... Believe it or not, if you've used all the other methods, (and only _if_ the keyboard is not totally ruined already) you can take it to the shower. Mind you don't get other things in it whilst you are there, hmmm? Generously douse the keyboard with liquid soap (dish soap, preferably, since it won't leave any residue) and flush it with water as hot as you can stand for about a minute. When finished, rinse it from as many directions as you can - you can't begin to imagine what you're going to see float down the drain! After following these steps DO NOT plug the keyboard into ANYTHING! Vigorously shake any excess fluids out of the keyboard. Suspend the (now wet) keyboard upside down (and at a slight angle) over or near a safe heat source, such as a baseboard heater or a floor heating vent. Do not let it get so close as to endanger the device by melting it. Leave the keyboard there for at least two days. After ensuring that there is no moisture remaining whatsoever, continue to use your keyboard as normal - golfing, swordplay, and, er, yes...computing. Next time, keep it away from your soda pop, or whatever grunge you might have spilled on it. If, for some inexplicable reason this doesn't work; you're still frightened to take it apart; or you can't spring for the price of a decent used keyboard...you really should keep a spare mouse and keyboard at all times if you're serious about computing. Now, if you're completely desperate, you could consider using a _LIGHT_ solvent which doesn't melt plastic. Since there are _MANY_ solvents on the market (alcohol all the way to xylene) _you_ must make a wise choice and then test it on the bottom of the keyboard where it won't be noticed if it does melt the plastic. (HINT: Keep completely away from the xylene - not only will it it rot your keyboard, it will also rot your brain.) If you've found a suitably safe solvent, follow the procedure outlined above for hot, soapy water, only no heat, and no soap. Use the solvent in a well ventilated space - say, outside - and away from any pets, children, favorite plants, etc.. When drying the solvent laden keyboard, it should dry in about half the time that it take the hot soapy water, but keep it away from any sparks, open flame or other sources of ignition. Be ENTIRELY sure that no solvent remains in the keyboard before plugging it back in - your computer and your landlord/parents/spouse/neighbors will thank you for it. If you've followed all of these steps and it still doesn't work, then I pronounce your keyboard dead. There are _always_ methods requiring the complete dismantling, cleaning, and re-assembly of the keyboard, but what follows is an almost surefire method that has never (yet) let me down…

Believe it or not, if you’ve used all the other methods, (and only _if_ the keyboard is not totally ruined already) you can take it to the shower. Mind you don’t get other things in it whilst you are there, hmmm? Generously douse the keyboard with liquid soap (dish soap, preferably, since it won’t leave any residue) and flush it with water as hot as you can stand for about a minute. When finished, rinse it from as many directions as you can – you can’t begin to imagine what you’re going to see float down the drain!

After following these steps DO NOT plug the keyboard into ANYTHING! Vigorously shake any excess fluids out of the keyboard. Suspend the (now wet) keyboard upside down (and at a slight angle) over or near a safe heat source, such as a baseboard heater or a floor heating vent. Do not let it get so close as to endanger the device by melting it. Leave the keyboard there for at least two days. After ensuring that there is no moisture remaining whatsoever, continue to use your keyboard as normal – golfing, swordplay, and, er, yes…computing. Next time, keep it away from your soda pop, or whatever grunge you might have spilled on it.

If, for some inexplicable reason this doesn’t work; you’re still frightened to take it apart; or you can’t spring for the price of a decent used keyboard…you really should keep a spare mouse and keyboard at all times if you’re serious about computing.

Now, if you’re completely desperate, you could consider using a _LIGHT_ solvent which doesn’t melt plastic. Since there are _MANY_ solvents on the market (alcohol all the way to xylene) _you_ must make a wise choice and then test it on the bottom of the keyboard where it won’t be noticed if it does melt the plastic. (HINT: Keep completely away from the xylene – not only will it it rot your keyboard, it will also rot your brain.) If you’ve found a suitably safe solvent, follow the procedure outlined above for hot, soapy water, only no heat, and no soap. Use the solvent in a well ventilated space – say, outside – and away from any pets, children, favorite plants, etc.. When drying the solvent laden keyboard, it should dry in about half the time that it take the hot soapy water, but keep it away from any sparks, open flame or other sources of ignition. Be ENTIRELY sure that no solvent remains in the keyboard before plugging it back in – your computer and your landlord/parents/spouse/neighbors will thank you for it.

If you’ve followed all of these steps and it still doesn’t work, then I pronounce your keyboard dead.

]]> By: Stacey http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-817 Stacey Sat, 01 Dec 2007 00:15:10 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-817 Use a cotton swap soaked in rubbing alcohol to clean the tops of and in between the keys. Use a cotton swap soaked in rubbing alcohol to clean the tops of and in between the keys.

]]> By: Mark http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-712 Mark Sat, 24 Nov 2007 20:16:13 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-712 First, turn the keyboard upside-down and shake out any crumbs, hair, etc.. Then you can either: 1. Fold a wet wipe so it's somewhat rigid and use it to scrub the sides of the keys, then the tops. or 2. Pull the keys off of the keyboard and clean them (they are dishwasher safe too!) Be careful though, long keys like the spacebar and shift have little bars which make removal a little more complex. First, turn the keyboard upside-down and shake out any crumbs, hair, etc..

Then you can either:

1. Fold a wet wipe so it’s somewhat rigid and use it to scrub the sides of the keys, then the tops.

or

2. Pull the keys off of the keyboard and clean them (they are dishwasher safe too!) Be careful though, long keys like the spacebar and shift have little bars which make removal a little more complex.

]]> By: Lynn http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-711 Lynn Sat, 24 Nov 2007 20:13:20 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-711 That nasty black stuff all over your keys is oil and dirt from your fingers! Use gentle cleaning fluid and cotton swabs to clean off the affected keys. That nasty black stuff all over your keys is oil and dirt from your fingers! Use gentle cleaning fluid and cotton swabs to clean off the affected keys.

]]> By: Lynn http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-710 Lynn Sat, 24 Nov 2007 20:13:03 +0000 http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-clean-a-keyboard/#comment-710 If you eat or drink around your computer a lot, get a plastic keyboard cover to keep the crumbs and spills and dust out of the keyboard itself. You can wash the plastic cover in the sink with dish soap, then let it air dry completely before putting it back on your keyboard. If you eat or drink around your computer a lot, get a plastic keyboard cover to keep the crumbs and spills and dust out of the keyboard itself. You can wash the plastic cover in the sink with dish soap, then let it air dry completely before putting it back on your keyboard.

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