Keyboard Cleaning...

Anderton Prime

Anderton Prime

2,760
I was looking into getting a new keyboard, but I found one in the basement from my old IBM computer that is actually better than the Dell one I am using right now. The problem is, it's absolutely filthy because my brother used to eat meals in front of the computer and periodically drop crap in between the keys. I have popped off the buttons and cleaned as best I could underneath and between them (we're talking 2-year old BBQ sauce, old dried sticky ice cream residue, hair, cookie crumbs, you name it), but I have a question about how to clean the actual key surfaces. I tried using Goo Gone to get the crap off them, but this seems to leave a white residue that makes the keys look dusty and old. Anyone know of a simple solution to clean keys that won't harm them but works well enough to get off the gunk? I'm not looking to go to the computer store and buy something, this needs to be cheap and able to be made at home.

By the way this is a black keyboard, so the dirt shows up extra clear. The printing on the keys has for the most part lost its white lustre and now looks a little cream-colored, but I'm not too worried about that.

Thanks!
 
Back in the day, when I had more time to spare...I would take the keyboard apart carefully removing the electronics. I would then take the keyboard, membrane, and outer shell and put them in the dish washer. Yes, in the dish washer. :)

Let the parts dry, put back together and away I went.
 
I wouldn't go as far as the dish washer. Apart from that, I agree with Pako.. take everything apart and clean it with warm soap water with a soft brush.. Rinse everything thoroughly, let it dry for 24 hours then put it back together...
 
I like the dishwasher solution. Seems to be the easiest and quickest solution. Just be sure to get all the internals out of it as Pako said.
 
There is a way to clean it much better, first find a flat head screw driver. Next put the flat head under the keys, and genlty push them upwards so they come off with out breaking.

But when you start putting the keys from the keyboard on your desk or any table, then put them down in the correct order like on your keyboard guys. After that it is up to you how to clean it with out putting it in the dishwasher.
 
TVR&Ferrari_Fan
There is a way to clean it much better, first find a flat head screw driver. Next put the flat head under the keys, and genlty push them upwards so they come off with out breaking.

But when you start putting the keys from the keyboard on your desk or any table, then put them down in the correct order like on your keyboard guys. After that it is up to you how to clean it with out putting it in the dishwasher.
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I love how you say it's a much better way of cleaning, and then you don't give any advice on how to clean the keyboard. :lol:

Dishwasher sounds like a good, easy way of doing it to me. :)
 
Get a big bucket of soapy, clean, hot water and just throw all the keys into the bucket and get a toothbrush and start scrubbing away.
 
I don't really clean mine at all. I wipe over the keys when i give my desk a dust, but that's about it. I only take it apart when keys start to stick, and that's usually due to me eating around my desk.

As for dishwashing, i wouldn't put it in there personally. I much prefer to see what i'm cleaning, and above all i want to make sure i'm not damaging it.
 
I use rubbing alcohol, and if that fails acetone (nail polish remover) to clean up computer plastics. Sometimes, this will fade/grey out the plastic, like you said, but I found that automovie interior protectants/shines like the one below work great to clean that up.
 
You could try using something like toothpaste (it moves stains quite well) or a little baking-soda disolved in water.

I think a toothbrush will be your best tool, and jsut attack each key individually. :)
 
skip0110
I use rubbing alcohol, and if that fails acetone (nail polish remover) to clean up computer plastics. Sometimes, this will fade/grey out the plastic, like you said, but I found that automovie interior protectants/shines like the one below work great to clean that up.
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Nail polish Remover and plastic is a HUGE no no... Nail Polish Remover is a solvent which will destroy plastic pretty farking' fast... Trying to remove some paint from an RC car body with Nail Polish Remover taught me that - the expensive way...
 
Flerbizky
Nail polish Remover and plastic is a HUGE no no... Nail Polish Remover is a solvent which will destroy plastic pretty farking' fast... Trying to remove some paint from an RC car body with Nail Polish Remover taught me that - the expensive way...
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Hmm, well I have used it to take stickers/bumper stickers off laptops--yes, it faded the plastic but the laptop is still here with me and that interior shine stuff brought it right back to new-looking--but I'd agree it's pretty strong stuff; probably want to try it out on a hidden area or just keep away from it if you're cleaning something really important to you. But yeah, don't put that on a LCD screen or you'll be in for an unpleasant surprise!
 
As it turns out, there's another problem with this keyboard, in that some of the buttons seem to require more effort than others to register as having been pushed. The spacebar is one of them, and it's starting to get annoying because I keep having to backtrack and put spaces in or fix other errors.

The only reason I wanted to use this keyboard was because it has Rapid Access keys across the top that I can program the way I want.

Anyone know if i can fix the key sticking problem? Dirt doesn't seem to be a problem anymore...
 
Make sure there isn't any debris under the membrane. So why all the hate with the dishwasher? Geesh... ;)
 
I guess people are just nervous to stick their electronic gadgets in there. But if you've made sure to just be putting the shell and keys in then there should be nothing to worry about...
 
Yeah. Its perfectly safe for the electronics to be left out on the counter while you put the shell into the dishwasher.
 
I mean, dishwashers are designed to not damage plates and glass, so the keyboard keys and shell should be absolutely fine. I would do it, but we havent got a dishwasher. :lol:
 
Anderton Prime
As it turns out, there's another problem with this keyboard, in that some of the buttons seem to require more effort than others to register as having been pushed. The spacebar is one of them, and it's starting to get annoying because I keep having to backtrack and put spaces in or fix other errors.

The only reason I wanted to use this keyboard was because it has Rapid Access keys across the top that I can program the way I want.

Anyone know if i can fix the key sticking problem? Dirt doesn't seem to be a problem anymore...
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Could be the metal spring that returns it? Check that it's all located correctly - they can be tricky to get back together.

If it doesn't return properly from when you press it, next time around it won't work properly.
 
toyomatt84
Compressed air to remove most debris, then if further cleansing is needed, rubbing alcohol and q-tips.
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Compressed air solves everything :lol:

I should use that actually; saves me from pulling up all the keys. Thanks for the idea :D
 

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