How do I clean my keyboard?

[ScottyB]

What can I use to clean my keyboard? It is fairly nasty, with lots of hair under the keys and has kool-aid and mustard stains.

 

[DoNotDisturb]

Yeah I need to know also. You wouldn't want to know what lies under and on top of my keys it's pretty sick. Manhair everywhere, ok I'll shutup now.

 

[RemyCanad]

I take my Microsoft Natural totaly apart and clean each pice. Lucky the keys are connected to there own tray and I can just stick them in a sink of water and clean them that way. All the other things I use Isopropal alcohol on.

 

[Salvador]

Try taking a can of compressed air and blowing the stuff out. Be sure to put on some goggles first though because you don't know what the heck will fly out of there. heh.

You can also pry up the keys if you want by placing a knife under them and gently pressing up. If you remove some of the keys, you might gain better access to the area under the keys.

Sal

 

[Super6]

409 cleaner then air dry.

Super6

 

[MSantiago]

Wow, awesome tip, RemyCanad! I just took my Natural apart and soaked the key trays in hot water and dishwashing soap. Had no idea that the keys were separated from the electronics -- thanks!

 

[Soulkeeper]

yeah i take mine totally apart too
i use rubbing alcohol and a rag
sometimes i wash it in the sink (after removing the electrical components)
it is afterall plastic
i hate keyboards that let things get under the keys and make them not work anymore
having a particle board desk really makes that bad
haha

 

[Thor86]

If you have a spare keyboard, you can safely dunk the entire thing under water to clean it whole. Then make sure you dry it COMPLETELY before plugging back in. Good as new.

 

[buleyb]

The 'dunking' trick is great as long as no electronics go under. If you do this anyways, make sure you don't use soap or have hard water. The minerals can deposit and short out circuits, even when dry. I'd go with the removing keys/alcohol approach (and that doesn't mean cleaning the keys while getting blitzed on your favority malt beverage )

My only tip, removing all the keys works nicely, just remember where they all go. Having to close your eyes and 'fake-type' to remember where all the keys goes can grow old quickly

 

[passign]

when i worked for school district 204 we washed them all in the washing machine! hehe..


make sure you let it dry 5 days at least ... cause we plugged them in to soon and it fried the keyboard


I went and bought a flex keyboard... the rubber ones usin it now... love it.. and i plan to wash by keyboard sometime i tin

 

[Mavrick007]

Taking it apart if it's a Natural kb works great, I've done this for years cause it can get grimy.
Also, if you accidently spill something on it, take it apart immediately or at least lay it upside down so that you can keep the inside dry (even though there is a rubber pad on top of everything under the keys).

 

[teddymines]

I unscrew the back and take out the board keycaps and all. Then use contact cleaner and spray the heck out of it. Do it outside on a non-windy day.