cleaning keyboards

[rh71]

Is it ok to spray the keyboard with disinfectant ? I've had it for quite a while and have never attempted to clean the keys.

I just turned it upside down... and well... let's just say I gotta break out the vacuum cleaner.

 

[RagingBITCH]

You might want to spray a piece of cloth and then clean it if you're that anal about it.

 

[WobbleWobble]

I like to take it all apart and clean each piece of plastic by hand using dish detergent.

 

[rh71]

Does spraying/wiping it leave it sticky ?

 

[WobbleWobble]

No. If there is any residue, just go over it with a damp cloth.

 

[bigalt]

it takes bleach to remove the stuff caked on from my labmates.

 

[yukichigai]

The part of the keyboard you need to worry about is the inner grid of capacitors. (Actually more like paths of conductive foil that act as capacitors.) Most newer keyboards let you remove or move the grid out of the way. It looks like a folded-over plastic sheet with metal paths in it. As long as it isn't plugged in while you clean it you should be fine anyway, but do expect to let it dry thoroughly.

Anyway, yeah, take off every key (be careful with the space and enter keys, since they have supports on them usually) and clean each one, then get the inside. You can also use rubbing alcohol on the rougher spots. Afterwards put the keyboard in something like a dish drainer, facing down, and set all the keys somewhere facing up. Let them sit for a day and they should be good to go.

 

[rh71]

Thanks, but I don't need it to be spotless.. just disease / germ free... that's why a quick spray is all I wanted.

 

[0roo0roo]

do not let water into keyboard unless yuou take it completely apart to dry. else corrosion will destroy.

 

[yukichigai]

Originally posted by: rh71
Thanks, but I don't need it to be spotless.. just disease / germ free... that's why a quick spray is all I wanted.

You know that mold that can grow in your shower and toilet? The orange stuff that climbs up everything? That seems to like to grow in keyboards too. If you disinfect it you'll save yourself for 2 months tops. Easier to just clean it completely.

 

[rh71]

So how do people deal with laptop keyboards ?

 

[yukichigai]

Take apart the laptop. Usually the top comes off with either no screws undone or just one or two. Unless, that is, you have a laptop from a really crappy company like Compaq.

 

[xxAgentCowxx]

my best friend spilled coke in her keyboard a while ago, i told her to unplug it, take it apart entirely, and wipe everything off with a damp cloth and let it dry for a few days... imagine my surprise when i came over later that night and her mom yelled at me for telling her to "wash it in the sink"...

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: xxAgentCowxx
my best friend spilled coke in her keyboard a while ago, i told her to unplug it, take it apart entirely, and wipe everything off with a damp cloth and let it dry for a few days... imagine my surprise when i came over later that night and her mom yelled at me for telling her to "wash it in the sink"...

Man, in that case, I'd spring for a new one at $3-$10.

 

[FoBoT]

buy a new one, they are cheap

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: 0roo0roo
do not let water into keyboard unless yuou take it completely apart to dry. else corrosion will destroy.

Corrosion?