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My keyboard is a) full of dust and other particles that are flying around us (hair, skin parts etc) and b) very dirty (keys are not white anymore but dark gray - except on keytops where my fingers are constantly cleaning away the dirt).
How should I dust & clean my keyboard?
gabr
Posted 2009-07-15T12:47:10.280
Reputation: 303
10
apparently you can put it in the dishwasher.
http://www.boingboing.net/2005/05/30/clean-your-keyboard-.html
Please note: I wouldn't do this with an expensive one but if all else fails...
Josh
Josh
Posted 2009-07-15T12:47:10.280
Reputation: 1 572
+1 for this excellent suggestion. By the way, this was also asked on SF, but was migrated here. See this question for more details: http://superuser.com/questions/15609/can-i-put-keyboards-in-the-dishwasher
– Avery Payne – 2009-08-04T14:12:10.8831
Everyone, please read Are Computer Keyboards Dishwasher Safe? before attempting this.
– martineau – 2011-03-07T20:34:46.4931I would like to note that you should definitely make sure that it is fully dry. Most modern keyboards use plastic with a conductive paint, which can easily be shorted, if there is any moisture. – Brad Gilbert – 2009-07-16T04:12:05.727
I accepted this answer becase that's exactly what I'm doing for years. I pop all the keycaps down, then disassemble the keyboard. I put all the keycaps into some "netted" (if that's a word) bag (it is made from a net) and put this bag plus both big parts of plastic (frame) into a dishwasher. Works like a charm. – gabr – 2009-07-16T13:33:55.930
I can attest to this. It worked very well! Just make sure NOT to use bleach detergent and do not use the heated dry cycle. In fact, I removed my keyboard and shook it out vigorously and let it sit outside in the sun for a few days before I even considered connecting it. I've cleaned three already. – Taptronic – 2009-09-09T13:06:57.027
I have a friend who has done this for years. – jms – 2009-07-15T12:59:28.043
Would this be safe to do with a wireless keyboard too? (batteries would have to be taken out of course...) – Svish – 2009-12-08T08:25:41.273
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I did this to my (admittedly shocking) keyboard recently. What I did was:
Ross
Posted 2009-07-15T12:47:10.280
Reputation: 2 848
i do this regularly with my saitek cyborg keyboard. and my logitech wave. it's the best way to do it - and soaking the keys in a (very mild) warm soapy water solution cleans them really well, although they key labels may start to rub off if theres too much soap or it's too hot. prying up the keys without damaging them takes practice and patience though. – jammypeach – 2014-04-16T09:53:31.710
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Pressurized air for your situation. You can buy this at nearly any large retailer in your area.
If you spill coke into it (like I did last week), it's going to be much more difficult. I ended up tossing the entire thing. That's one of the reasons I prefer to work on $10-$20 keyboards.
Sampson
Posted 2009-07-15T12:47:10.280
Reputation: 7 244
If you spill a liquid on it, while it had power, you may have to repaint the conductive traces on the plastic sheets inside of the keyboard. – Brad Gilbert – 2009-07-16T04:15:52.803
Did that too, once :) With a Das Keyboard - it was well worth fixing it. – gabr – 2009-07-16T13:34:52.077
@Brad - It was my first time seeing the plastic sheets...I thought initially "Whoa..are these for spills? I just tear-away the top one and close the board up?" After looking at it a couple more seconds, I saw paths and correlations between sheet 1, 2, etc. Quickly refuted that idea. – Sampson – 2009-07-16T13:52:03.873
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Where your fingers are constantly hitting is probably the dirtiest part of the keyboard.
Berek Bryan
Posted 2009-07-15T12:47:10.280
Reputation: 163
1
Cyber Clean Electronics Cleaning Putty from ThinkGeek
MicTech
Posted 2009-07-15T12:47:10.280
Reputation: 9 888
1
I pop the keys out on mine from time to time, clean them with Dettol wipes, and blow out the crud with compressed air. I've been using the same Goldtouch keyboard for nearly 10 years, and it comes up nearly like new every time.
David M
Posted 2009-07-15T12:47:10.280
Reputation: 354
1
maybe its time for a fresh new keyboard....would increase your productivity by giving you a whole new reason to use your computer - gotta break in the new toy!!
kpoehls
Posted 2009-07-15T12:47:10.280
Reputation: 766
I have two very special keyboards that are worth cleaning. One is Das Keyboard and another is a keyboard that I got directly from the production line before the letters got printed on (so this one is also a "blank" keyboard). Other keyboards I'm just trowing away. – gabr – 2009-07-16T13:38:00.203
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Most desktop keyboards can have their keys pried off with a screwdriver or pocket knife. This will let you really get in deep and clear out all the crap that's built up over the years. The best way to clean is probably a bunch Q-tips and possibly some soapy water.
I wouldn't recommend trying this with a laptop keyboard or the Apple chicklet keyboards; they're not designed to be cleaned in this way.
Ian Potter
Posted 2009-07-15T12:47:10.280
Reputation: 559
0
I usually pop out the keys (using a simple flathead screwdriver on its side), clean them one by one (with a wet towel or dumping them into water and scrubbing later with a tissue) and with a brush I clean the space between the keys on the keyboard itself. Finally I just push the keys right in again when I make sure it is spotless.
Manuel Ferreria
Posted 2009-07-15T12:47:10.280
Reputation: 336
0
For cleaning the outside of my keyboard I've had excellent results using Mr.Clean® Magic Erasers®. Nowdays Safeway sells a store-brand knock-off product called simply Disposable Erasing Pads which are much cheaper and seem to work just as well. These are also great for cleaning lots of other things. Sorry if this sounds like a commercial....
martineau
Posted 2009-07-15T12:47:10.280
Reputation: 3 849
Clean your keyboard with Hair Dryer – Shoban – 2009-07-15T12:52:23.780