Slashdot is powered by your submissions, so send in your scoop

 


Forgot your password?
Close
typodupeerror
×
Hardware

Cleaning Your Keyboards? 26

Posted by Cliff from the getting-out-those-nasty-finger-stains. dept.
myKeyb0ardsAreD1rty asks: "Okay, I am a little bit messy, but never have I been a dirty person. Nonetheless, looking at my computers, I get the feeling I am. My beloved Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard's keys have ugly black marks after 5 years of continious use (and I like this keyboard, I don't want another one). The same happened to keyboards used by others in this office. I do clean my keyboard from time to time, but now, I just cannot get it clean anymore. I have seen similar stains in other offices, so it must be a common problem. How do folks clean their computers to get rid of this?" We did a topic on cleaning computers back in June, but the tips there were more on generic computer cleaning. What specific suggestions do you have for cleaning what is probably the dirtiest part of your computer?
This discussion has been archived. No new comments can be posted.

Cleaning Your Keyboards? More

Cleaning Your Keyboards?

Comments Filter:
  • REally? I have one of them IBM springy tank killer keyboard thingies and it has been in mint condition since I bought the computer it came with 8 years ago :-) The mouse is also in pretty good shape considering its age.
  • I've saved 1.5 MS Natural keyboards from Sam Adams damage just by throwing them in the tub overnight, and letting dry for a few days. When the first one didn't make it, I kept it around, and indeed, it made a very good anchor to keep the next one I spilled beer on underwater, twice.

    Of course, they came out dirtier-looking than when they went in, but a quick rinse and they looked brand new. I guess remember to clean the tub beforehand.
  • Don't you think that standing around naked holding a keyboard for 24 hours is slightly overkill?

    I normally use a hairdryer on the keyboard - speeds things up no end.
    "Give the anarchist a cigarette"
    1. Unplug keyboard.
    2. Vacuum the keyboard after covering the end of the hose with a mesh such as from a stocking.
    3. Then spray a household cleaner or rubbing alcohol on a paper tower or cloth and wipe the keyboard.
    4. Let it dry, in case some of the liquid dripped inside.
  • As others have said poping off the keycaps works very well. The only problem is getting the keys back where they belong if you pop off all the keys at one time. Here's the routine I follow about once a year.

    1) Shut off PC and unplug keyboard.

    2) Place keyboard on photocopier, keys down of course, and make a 'copy'. This way I have a picture of the key layout. You might also be able to do this with a flatbed scanner.

    3) Fill one bowl with warm water and a little dish soap. Fill another with warm water without any soap. Place bowls and a large towel on table or desk.

    4) Pop off all the keys and put them bowl of soapy water.

    5) Use an old toothbrush to scrub the keys one by one. Dropping them into the clean water. This is a bit tedious, but does a very good job and should take only 10-15 minutes.

    6) Pulling the clean keys out of the water and spread them out on the towel to dry. This may take a few hours depending on humidity.

    7) While the keys are drying use either a vacum or can of compressed air to suck or blow the dust and crumbs out of the keyboard itself.

    8) Place the keycaps back on the keyboard according to the picture you made earlier.

  • >> In fact Im uing it right now.
    >
    > You missed an 'M'...
    >
    In fact Im uMing it right now.

    Ok? :-)
  • i'd have to disagree witht he person that said not to fully disassemble your keyboard, i've done that to a couple of mine and washed every piece that wasn't electronic and assembled it in less than 15 minutes - its the best way i can think of
  • I took old business cards that got fuzzy on the edges and ran the edges between the keys. They acted like a lint magnet and pulled up lint and hair that stuck to the fuzzy part of the business cards. A can on compressed air flushed the rest of the particles out after I took off the keycaps.

    The best keyboard I have ever seen is from those old IBM PC-AT systems, mostly metal. They just don't make them like that anymore.

    For $20 and under keyboards, you might as well just buy another one. :)
  • and a soft cloth old t-shirt ect.
    remove keys wipe down well reassemble enjoy:}
    Im curious how does one get a keyboard to last 5 years? Iv never had one last more than 1 year even an ibm springy tank killer keyboard.
  • Your keyboard works after 5 years of continuous use, and you're complaining that it's dirty? That's a pretty good run in my opinion...

    Anyway, I usually leave my keyboards battered. It's like a badge of honor. When I do clean them (which rarely happens), I just wipe it with wet paper towels. What's the worst thing that happens? It gets broken and I shell out 20 bucks for another one. If you're more fastidious, you can probably experiment with different kinds of cleaners without too much worry, simply because they tend to be able to take a beating (you wouldn't believe what I've spilled on my keyboard)...
    --
  • I've found that sellotape is wonderful stuff for cleaning keyboards. Just stick it to the surface, press hard and pull it away.

    To get crumbs/dust out of keyboards, hold vertaically and bang on desk. It's surprising how much comes out!

  • it's all about the quality. buy a good keyboard in the first place, you'll have good luck with it.

    my Keytronics from 1992 is still in service, aside from a broken number pad enter key(keytop broke off when i stepped on it, button still works), it's still usable. I've had incredible luck with Keytronic keyboards. Bad luck with Mitsumi, and anything else that has a 1 digit price tag =) My old keytronics was the battle tank type, you could bash someone over the head, and still use the keyboard after. The Mitsumi's here at work, seem to die after a year or two, because of our environment. Keytronics last much longer.

    The other thing you can look into, is when you buy a new keyboard, get one of those latex covers for it. It's weird to type on for the first couple weeks, but you'll get used to it. Haven't done it myself, but that's what my users tell me =)
  • i only use those tank killer keyboards. 101 key ps/at ibm keytronics monster. my linux box has my fav. a gatewayy programmable keyboard. my 1994 laptop that this is writeen on has fallen off of two tables and down a flight of stairs. the lid won't latch and it has a bent but hey it works!
  • Well, here are my comments on what i have actually done...

    my favourite keyboards are the _old_ Apple Design II Keyboards, you could practically stop bullets with them.
    when they got spilled on (coke is the worst) i would rinse them under plenty of cold, running water (after disconnecting them) and leave them to dry. for crumbs etc, take the back off and shake clean.

    for cleaning keys, rubbing alcohol works, as does pretty much any solvent (metho, WD40, windex[ammonia], acetone :-P) no, don't use acetone, you'll melt your kbd.

    to clean the key tops, just rub them with a rag, moistened with your favourite solvent, otherwise do the screwdriver/ruler/fingernail thing and pop them off, they will snap on, the space bar is the only difficult one.

    for membrane keyboards, they pretty much don't neek cleaning, it's pretty hard to get crap between the membrane and the contacts, just rinse and dry in a warm place (on top of the hot water cylinder is good)

    -- kai
  • I know, you're shaking your head.. but I used to do retail computer repair, and I promise this works, besides, most sticky keyboards are DOA anyway, so it's not like we'll lose the patient. Keyboard, in the dishwasher, with soap (no, no, no, don't put it in with the dishes, you get food on it, ewww) Run it through on pots and pans, let it dry for 7 days, then test it, it should work just dandy!
  • My last keyboard finally died. It probably choked to death on all the cat hair, dust, crumbs, fingernail clippings, fish food, and other assorted grode under the keys. If I'd only known about Blow Off... [blowoff.com]

    I know, canned air is canned air. But you must experience the Blow Off site to fully understand why I like it. They also manufacture some...interestingly named degreasers and adhesives.

  • Unplug keybaord
    Take a shower while holding keyboard.
    Let dry for at least 24 hours
    plug keyboard back into comptuer

    Generally it is a bad idea to unplug or plug things into the comptuer while the comptuer is on.

    PS, careful what you do in the shower. Shaving is probably a bad idea. Most soaps that are good for humans are find for the keyboard, but make sure you rinse good.

  • Just dunk it in some 30 mol acid (Hydrochloric acid works well).

    It tends to remove the writing on top of the keys, but who needs them?

    Oh, just make sure you wear a nose+mouth mask - the fumes are actually toxic (no joke).

    David.
  • dunk yer keyboard in vodka. you can even drink it afterwards (hic!). plus you have a good excuse for all those vodka bottles under your desk...
  • Despite what other people here have said, taking apart the keyboard really is the way to go. I have dumped every sort of beverage imaginable onto my keyboard and after 6 years, it still works and looks almost like new.

    The easiest thing to do is to pop off the keycaps. This can be done on almost all keyboards. I've done it on a microsoft natural before, so I know it works. Just get a screw driver under the key and pry. It will fly off and hit you in the eye, but it will also snap right back in place. After you have all the keys off, soak them overnight in your favorite volatile chemical and they will be as good as new. With they keys off, you can also clean underneath them this way. If you want to have fun put the key caps on in different positions. (Its hard to switch to dvorak this way as the keys in different rows are of different heights and will make a hilly dvorak keyboard).

    Its also just fine to unplug and replug a ps2 keyboard with the computer turned on. I use a switch box that does this between two computers with no problems. (Mice however are another story)

    If you want to clean inside your keyboard (spilled something nasty?), you can get in from the screws in the back most of the time. Just make sure to find the last one that is under the warranty sticker. Most of today's keyboards are a circuit printed on some plastic. Really easy to sponge off and dry out. The keys are activated by little magnets mounted on springy rubber things. These are easy to clean and put back on too. The trickiest part of putting it all back together is where the plastic circuit thingy attaches to the small logic board. Its usually some flimsy connection that is held there by pressure. You have to get the thing lined up just right and the keyboard closed without knocking the plastic around.

    Good luck and all!

  • Complete disassembly is a bad idea. I wasted about 5 hours on a $20.00 keyboard... Unless the keyboard is irreplaceable or expensive, consider just replacing it.

    Otherwise, Try prying up on the keys, the wonderful old IBM/Lexmark "click" keyboards had keycaps that could pop right off. Take the keycaps off, let 'em soak overnight in a bucket of warm soapy water, and then drain the bucket and place the keys on a towel to air-dry. In the mean-time, carefully clean the gunk you can find that is in whats left of the keyboard. Replace the keys, and you're on your way.

    Just spraying a cleaner like windex on the keycaps can cause your keyboard to start behaving really weirdly. (Which is why I tried complete disassembly.) I've also heard of people just putting the whole keyboard into a dishwasher, though some keyboards wouldn't work well for that because they have a rubber membrane that could capture the water.

    Thankfully, even if you screw it up completely, even really nice new keyboards are not that expensive. I've been able to pick up nice (but dirty) keyboards at the local Goodwill computer store for $5.00.

  • 1) Rubbing alcohol cleans up dirt and gunk real well.
    2) Some q-tips dipped in rubbing alcohol cleans between the keys
    3) Compressed air blows the junk oput from underneath the keys (holding the keyboard upside down and shaking as if it were an etch-a-sketch also helps).
  • Over the years I found there is only one thing that allows you to really clean your keyboard: a screwdriver! unless you take your keyboard apart I don't see how you can get those crannies&nooks clean.

    On a side note, everytime someone asks me to take a look at his/her computer for some reason or if I'm shopping for used stuff, one of the first things I do is to turn the keyboard upside-down and shake it. Some keyboards have a history...
  • Rubbing alcohol and paper towels. It's kept 10 year old IBM keyboards in the public computer labs pretty clean up at my old school -- and we have some pretty dirty characters up there...

  • Published cleaning experiences (Score:3)

    by satch89450 ( 186046 ) on Monday August 14, 2000 @07:28AM (#858024) Homepage

    Jerry Pournelle wrote in his Chaos Manor series that he had a keyboard that stopped working; he took it and rinsed it under the kitchen faucet and a ton of ants were washed out. As an exercise to the student, find out what attracted the ants. The keyboard worked afterwards.

    Pulling the keycaps off the stems and cleaning them separately from the keyboard works. After you pull the keycaps off, turning the keyboard upside-down will let lots of not-good stuff escape. One keyboard, sez the reporter, had a ton of cat-hair from his three American Shorthair cats. Several keys that had been "iffy" started working reliably again. His caution, though, was to watch out for the bales on the space bar.

    I've resurrected Macintosh keyboards by disassembling them, washing everything in alcohol, letting everything dry, buffing the contacts with a clean, lint-free cloth, and reassembling. One of those keyboards is still working fine.

    I agree that trying to clean $20 keyboards is a lost cause, with the possible exception of pulling keycaps and soaking them.

    By the way, for those keycaps that have worn smooth and show nothing but pristine background, try using a fine magic marker ("Sharpies" by Sanford is what I use) to renew the image on the keycaps. One keyboard I have needed this done on three keys. Works.

    If you have a membrane or Chicklet keyboard, don't bother trying anything...

  • True tory (Score:4)

    by Bald Wookie ( 18771 ) on Monday August 14, 2000 @08:51AM (#858025)
    y coputer i in the kitchen, in the little "eating nook". It a bit unconventional but the fridge i at arm length. The only downide i that oetime thing can go wrong.

    A couple week ago I duped about 20 ounce of ice water into the keyboard. Buer. I anaged to hut the PC down and unplug the keyboard. Then I duped all of the water out (or o I had thought). Four hour later water cae guhing out of the corner when I picked it up. At that point I figured I had nothing to lose and tarted prying keycap. Every bit of lint and cruft had congealed into ytery pudding under the keycap. Diguted, I pried off every cap and took the thing into the hower. Five inute with the aage nozzle and it wa factory freh again.

    Then I diaebled it to dry and tuck it in front of the fan overnight. Everything work great and I havent had a proble ince. In fact Im uing it right now.
    -BW

Slashdot Top Deals

This file will self-destruct in five minutes.

Close