Can you really stick a keyboard in a dishwasher?

Silan

Member
Oct 12, 2001
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I've spilled water in my KB once and it shorted out, so i really doubt they make dishwasher safe KB's.
 

mpilchfamily

Diamond Member
Jun 11, 2007
3,559
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There are a couple of companies that make washable KBs. Great for places where your worried about the spread of desies from a KB and/or mouse that has multiple users.

http://www.unotron.com/US/Products.html#WashableAntibacterialKeyboards

Weather or not other KBs will survive depends on how they are made. Most cheap KBs will usually survive the wash since there isn't much too them that water can affect. Those that have more then the basic 104 key set, ones with macro keays and media center keys tend to have a bit more to them that can be damaged by water. Any and all wireless KBs will be damaged in the wash other then those designed to be washed.
 
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RiDE

Platinum Member
Jul 8, 2004
2,139
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76
^

I put all my cheapo keyboards under running water. It starts out with me cleaning in between keys then i get lazy and just decide to brush the whole thing down. lol I don't use it for at least 2 days though. I wouldnt do it to my gaming keyboards either.
 
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corkyg

Elite Member | Peripherals
Super Moderator
Mar 4, 2000
27,370
239
106
Yes, it is possible to put a keyboard in a dishwasher. A few might survive but most will not. I would never try it because my wife would really get bent. :)
 

ChaiBabbaChai

Golden Member
Dec 16, 2005
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There are a couple of companies that make washable KBs. Great for places where your worried about the spread of desies from a KB and/or mouse that has multiple users.

http://www.unotron.com/US/Products.html#WashableAntibacterialKeyboards

Weather or not other KBs will survive depends on how they are made. Most cheap KBs will usually survive the wash since there isn't much too them that water can affect. Those that have more then the basic 104 key set, ones with macro keays and media center keys tend to have a bit more to them that can be damaged by water. Any and all wireless KBs will be damaged in the wash other then those designed to be washed.

clearly it's too late, you've caught whatever it was... :D
 

wwswimming

Banned
Jan 21, 2006
3,695
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i've dealt with dusty keyboards on occasion by dropping them in the bathtub & then drying them in the sun.

you just have to make sure they're good & dry.

i used to work as a West Coast tech & sales rep. for an East Coast distributor of pick & place robots & other factory hardware. the distributor sold EVERYTHING - so they expected me to be an instant expert on everything. i learned a lot about surface mount technology & automation, but ... easier said than done.

anyway, they sold dishwashers, too. REAL dishwashers - for PC board manufacturers & assemblers. never sold one myself, but, it was in their catalog.

the guy that started the company got his start by selling dental tools to the electronics industry. that turned out to be VERY profitable.
 

Niku

Member
Aug 31, 2008
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the rule is this. The cheaper the keyboard, the less the metal. In those cases, yes. cheaper $9 or so keyboards work. The more expensive ones will short out. Older ones too. So make sure that its the kind with those plastic contact sheets in them. Let them dry. Then you can use them again after a trip through the washing machine.
 

0roo0roo

No Lifer
Sep 21, 2002
64,795
84
91
its bs.
inside there are sheets of plastic with printed contacts/traces. if water gets between and corrodes the contacts its bad. some folks luck out with the dishwasher. but its generally a bad idea.
 

dfuze

Lifer
Feb 15, 2006
11,953
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Never dared to try it. Instead I take them to the shop floor and use the air hoses to blow out any garbage between the keys.
 

Niku

Member
Aug 31, 2008
151
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In these cases, i guess the ones you would risk washing, which might work, would be better off just plain replaced. I mean, if youre spending $10-20 on a keyboard, you can probably afford to replace it in a year or so, when its bound to get unusably cruddy.

You eat lots of Poptarts at your console?
 

nerp

Diamond Member
Dec 31, 2005
9,865
105
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The answer is : it depends.

The real thing to worry about is drying the board out properly and not letting the dishwasher get too hot, which can warp the plastic. If you do decide to run it through the machine, you should dry it out with a blow dryer and leave it upside down on a towel for several days before trying to use it.

But the dishwasher is overkill and for cheap rubber dome boards, can spell the end of the board for a variety of reasons. One thing I've found is that the board will be washed clean of lubrication and the keys may start sticking of have poor travel. Instead, I recommend removing the keys individually and tossing them into a ziplock back with a tiny bit of laundry detergent and water. That will take care of all the grime on the keys. Then clean the inside of the board with a slightly damp cloth and wipe carefully, using q-tips or something for hard to reach places.

One of the advantages to a buckling spring board, such as those made by Unicomp, is that they keys are designed to be removed with ease and cleaning the board by hand is a snap.

And yes, I will plug Unicomp in every keyboard thread. It's my duty. :)
 
Oct 19, 2006
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you people are strange. My microsoft keyboard is constructed in two pieces. The front half with the keys can be seperated and put in the dishwasher. The keys cannot fall out. Honestly I find it easier to just take the front off and scrub it with a scrub brush. Then dry it and put the two halves back together.
 

Niku

Member
Aug 31, 2008
151
0
0
you people are strange. My microsoft keyboard is constructed in two pieces. The front half with the keys can be seperated and put in the dishwasher. The keys cannot fall out. Honestly I find it easier to just take the front off and scrub it with a scrub brush. Then dry it and put the two halves back together.



Um, effort?
 

ChaiBabbaChai

Golden Member
Dec 16, 2005
1,090
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yeah....... I'm mashing a Microsloth now and all i can say is each key is most certainly a separate piece as to allow it to move. :p Sure you could unscrew the body and throw that in the dishwasher but [intergalactic echo]WHY?[/echo] Just blast it with air and wipe down with alcohol or clorox wipes.
 

Adam8281

Platinum Member
May 28, 2003
2,181
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76
It only works if you sit in the dishwasher with it, hugging it to your chest.