Cleaning your Keyboard???
 

I do the usual of tipping it upsidedown every once in a while and shaking out the loose debri and also vacuum the keyboard and wipe it down with a damp sponge once in a while too BUT when the sun shines sideways on my keyboard I see a line of grime on the edges of the keys. HOW do you clean THAT?? Each individual key is Filty. I mean this stuff is cemented on the sides of the keys. What's the best and easiest way to get this stuff OFF?

P.S. try smelling your keyboard once in a while. YUCK!!!!! :o

I remember reading something once a few years ago about how your keyboard can make you sick. I am supposing that's when you share a computer with many people. I can imagine how that could be true. Someone has a cold or flu and uses the computer before you then you go and touch your face or rub your eyes, then you are sunk. :o

Okay for those of you who have ever smelled your keyboard please raise your hands!!!

I just have to look at mine to know I do not wish to do so. They aren't very expensive so when this one gets really, really disgusting I will just Freecycle this one and buy a new one.

I hope the new guy doesn't smell this one when he gets it.

I take a baby wipe and do individual keys and when you depress a key you can usually get the gunk from around the other keys.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...ys/tofunny.gif

See and SMELL what I am talking about??? http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...leys/tease.gif

Oh and don't actually DO this if you are online and in the middle of something. http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...onthefloor.gif

MysticMaid, baby, the original, real microfiber cloth. The rest are junk, I've tried them.

Just wet it and wring it as dry as humanly possible, it does the job easily and well.

Now, let's talk about hand washing!:eek:

My keyboard smells like electronic stuff but I keep it clean because, yuck!

My hands are probably cleaner than most people's. I am always washing something OR my hands. I have a problem about things being Super clean but never seem to achieve that. Why do things get so dirty so fast?? And I'm the only one here and I don't remember bringing all this dirt in. I steam clean my carpets and a week later they LOOK dirty again to me. :o

Okay we have two people here with their hands raised, anybody else?????

I have a hard and fast rule against wearing white. White=dirt.........if you wear it, it will come.

I can stand perfectly still for about ten seconds and BAMMM!!!! I have a dirt spot.

After I turn the keyboard over and knock out the dust and crumbs...

I use Rubbing alcohol on a q-tip--it works wonders.

The alcohol evaporates quickly so it doesn't cause any damage to your keyboard and it will get off any nasty, sticky, where did that come from stuff.

This is how I've cleaned all of my keyboards... never had a problem with them

Hope this helps...
:)
Abbie

You could almost eat off my keyboard. AYUP, can't stand even a crumb on it. I use a microfiber cloth to clean it too!

In fact, my "w" key wasn't working, so Dell sent me a new keyboard and I installed it myself. This coming from a techno GEEK, was an amazing feat.

I can honestly say, nope, I've never sniffed a keyboard. I'm still not inclined to do so either. :D.

To clean mine (tops and sides), I use Q-tips dipped in rubbing alcohol; most of the alcohol is squeezed out first with a paper towel or cotton cloth.

Not sure why some keyboards might get stinky, but... well: I'm at a loss for words.

:grouphug:

I too use the q-tip and rubbing alcohol, works great!

Hmmmm you all are starting to remind me of the old cheech and chong.......Smell! what? Smell! :D

I sniffed my keyboard and it smelled like a....ummmmm......a....keyboard I guess LOL. Wasnt too stinky. Makes me wonder where your fingers have been hmmmmm?

Since I haven't a need or urge to sniff my keyboard, I called a friend and asked her to smell hers. :D

Dunno why but she said, and most emphatically, I might add: "No! I'm not sniffing my keyboard."

I tried to recruit someone to do it. :cool:.

I use high pressure air this way it frees the keyboard of thingys and diaper wipes clean the rest, i am also not above just buying a new one

I have washed my keyboard under the faucet on 2 occasions {someone spilled coffee on it :o}
rinse it well and shake it to get the excess water out of it, then let it sit in the sun or finish drying it with a blow dryer..
it really did work for me..

but it didn't work the 3rd time - son spilled syrup on it and then left to go to work...:(
Just wayyy too sticky i think and then dried on - I didn't know about it until hours later when I tried to type and the keys were all sticky...

washing didn't help
took it apart and that didn't help
can't buy that kind any more either... just a look alike one, but the keys don't feel the same ..:(

PS - I just smelled my keyboard. just a bit dusty smelling LOL

should of used coke or pepsi to cut throguh the syrup lol no way, i am buying a new one if its syrup lol cool to know i can hose it down pretty sure those were not lap tops hummmmmmm lol

Good suggestions everyone...I'm going to use some of them. I'm pretty phobic about germs, too, and keep a container of Clorox wipes on the desk next to the keyboard and wipe it down several times a day....both of my sons use this computer, too, and I'm willing to bet they don't wash their hands as many times as I do. :o

Now that I've thought about it...I'm going to buy a new keyboard. It's been a while and the "N" and "E" are invisible...as in rubbed off.

Oh, and my keyboard doesn't have any smell to it...I waited until I was sure nobody was around and smelled it. Nope...no smell! :p

See now I DO remember someone about 5 or 6 years ago that told me they actually swished theirs in the bathtub with dishwashing soap and warm water then hung it up in the sun to dry too. I really didn't believe him. I thought he was pulling my leg. I thought you were never supposed to get a keyboard wet. But I guess the soapy swish would get down inbetween the keys and making sure it is absolutely dry before you plug it back in again and use it.

I just can't see buying a brand new keyboard if all it needs is a cleaning.

And by the way, the first time I sniffed a keyboard of the 3 times I actually have sniffed a keyboard, it was a used, 2 years old, computer someone had given me. Perfectly good computer and keyboard, they had just needed a bigger computer for their business so I got it that way. I am a bit of a germophobe myself and wanted it CLEAN.

I saw these at Staples one day for $10, they're pretty cool and all the mechanism is encased in the silicone so you could literally sponge it off if so inclined.

They only work for PCs but, shoot, talk about a disposable solution! They get great reviews, so it is certainly a viable option for you keyboard sniffers.:rolleyes:

http://www.lonestarkeyboards.com/ima...-30-0063-f.jpg

Is that a Sealed keyboard?? I'm just guessing here. It's hard to make out the details. Any info come with that online??

See I have a problem with just tossing perfectly good stuff that JUST needs cleaning. Think of the environment people, Please! Don't we have enough trash and crap filling our landfills?? We have to start THINKING about this.

as for the landfill problem look up your local Freecycle, somebody in your area would love to have your old stinky keyboard.

Now you guys have no idea how hard it is for me to sit here and not smell my keyboard. I know for sure there has to be all kinds of crumbs and stuff because the kids snack and play on it, okay so do I. The last one I ruined by spilling coffee on it. And while I can give you a good idea on how to clean your keyboard I can't remember the last time I gave mine any more that a quick cursory wipe.

No.............I will not smell............. no way!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's a cool demo of that keyboard type.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hn339_EU-CA

Nope, I won't just get a new one. It's a moral thing with me. Only way I will toss a keyboard is if it is destroyed. It's the Scandinavian part of me, we are very frugal and resourseful. Plus the fact I am a pack rat. I have spent the better part of the past 3 years just sorting through stuff and throwing out what is useless and giving away things I don't want but are still usable. I am not your typical Buy, Buy, Buy person. I am not a competative person and never gave a flying crap about the best or the newest anything or keeping up with the Joneses. That's just not what I am about.

Is it changing the subject too much if I ask about cleaning this new lap top?
I haven't any idea about the keyboard ......... or the screen
Thanks

I don't think it's changing the subject at all. I just dont have a laptop so someone else will have to help you but I would guess it's, no, I won't guess, I really don't know.

What kind is it?? Can you post a picture of it?? Or just tell me and I'll find a pic for you. ;)

aahhhhhhh ......... duh ..........errr

I'll see if I can find the photo or some sort of sale info. Right now all I can find is Dell Model 11525-121B Inspiron - 1525

It's black and silver.... does that help? :p

It took a bit -- I'm kinda' slow -- but here's an outside photo and all sorts of info EXCEPT how to clean it......
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1210379087572

I sure appreciate any and all help

:) aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh Thank you

How to Clean A Laptop-

http://www.google.com/search?q=How+t...ient=firefox-a

Thank you, Jo......... I've printed all of those (except the movie :p) and I'm building a nice little notebook.

There are 2 other more "drastic" ways to clean your keyboard.

#1 Withe the computer off, unplug the keyboard. Pop off each key and wash them in warm soapy water (I use dawn dish washing fluid). A nail file or small flat head screwdriver works great. Be careful of the shift, space, and enter keys as each has a metal bar that snaps into plastic snaps. IF you break the little snaps, no worries the key will still work (I've busted my right shift key's snaps), it just won't "spring" back up so fast. Let the keys dry and put them back on. You can print an image of a keyboard from the net before so you can put them properly, or take a photo, or even look at another keyboard ;)

#2 With the computer off, unplug the keyboard. Get a #2 phillips screw driver and remove the screws from the bottom of the computer. Take the top half (with the keys on it) and put it in your dishwasher IF it has a low/gentle cycle. DO NOT use the high/heavy wash cycle as this will more often than not wash away the lettering on the keys :eek:

I've done both, usually I go with #1 because I find it oddly relaxing to do while watching tv. I use the dishwasher when I'm in a hurry.

Hmmmmmmm...........http://img523.imageshack.us/my.php?image=thinkrh5.gif I have often wondered about something like that.

I might just try that tomorrow. MAYBE. This Q-Tip with alcohol on it is not so happy an activity for me. You really can't get down inbetween the keys where all the Crap is. I think I'll go with the second choice and take it apart.

Hi. Just found this thread.

I am trying to picture myself taking off each key, and putting it back. And even more than that, I am trying to picture ANYBODY putting a keyboard in their dishwasher.

I could never do that. I would be scared to death. I don't have a dishwasher (or a clothes washer for that matter).

Now if only I could bring it to my local laundromat.

Just kidding.

lol

Melody

No kidding!!!! :eek: I couldn't do that either. Too much busy work. :o

removing keys
 

i periodically have removed keys to clean out the gunk around them -- but i had a terrible time getting them placed back in so they worked properly.

i don't recommend it!!

Well you could always soak the top part (after unscrewing it) in warm soapy water for awhile and then swishing it around the sink/tub before bringing it out to dry.