Keyboard cleaning
 

How does one clean a keyboard? Please, no jokes. It is a serious question. I may not recognize a joke answer as a joke.

I have a keyboard that spontaneously generates characters. I suspect contaminants in the keyboard. I turn it upside down and shake it and a fair amount of dirt and stuff fall out, but the problem remains. The keys and surface are also pretty grungy after years of use. I do not suspect anything large like a staple or a paper clip.
How do I clean the surface and the keys and the electrical connection area below the keys?

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

ShortHaul

2 options:

1) open it up and use an alcohol wipe to wipe the contact surfaces clean

2) Get a new one.

I personally prefer option 1, I feel fine opening up stuff like this, but with a new corded keyboard for as low as $20 it might just be easier to buy a new one.

In college, we put one in the dishwasher and it worked once we took it out.

ROFLMAO :D :D :D

Actually, I was just about to by a new keyboard. I might try this for a laugh.

The dishwasher really works
 

I have done it more than once.... :)

Of course, just in case it does not for you, be prepared to replace it *grins*

Come on, dont be lazy. Take a picture of the keyboard or get a key layout online. Take off ALL the keys and clean it out throughly. Replace keys when finished.

My solution is to just keep all my old keyboard, then swap them out when they stop functioning. I have about 6 of them behind the couch in my room.

Alcohol wipe worked
 

Thanks ScottC. Worked.

I opened it up and took apart the 3 (!) layers of flexible printed contact sheets and wiped each one with an alcohol soaked swab. Had to take out the circuit board as well. Also actually washed in alcohol the plastic surface and keys. They look much better now. In retrospect I suspect the problem was where the circuit board contacted the flexible printed sheets. I also rubbed that area of the circuit board with a rubber eraser.

First time I re assembled the keyboard the "O", "L" and "." key (three keys in a vertical line) did not work. (A new problem.) I tried doing a half way job and just re-wiped the area where those 3 keys contacted the printed sheets. That fixed those 3 keys but then 3 other vertical columns did not work. So I took it all apart and re assembled them, being particularly careful to lay the 3 sheets on top of each other exactly lined up and then the circuit board carefully and firmly screwed down on top. Everything worked !! Used the keyboard for a day and no spontaneously generated characters.

I had heard about the washing in a dishwasher solution before and always figured it was a joke. Didn't realize anybody had actually done it.

The alcohol swab idea worked perfectly. Just had to be more meticulous about the re assembly. Thank you.

ShortHaul

Actually have always done mine in the dishwasher - for years - one I am using now has been in the dishwasher at least a dozen times - and still works fine !!

Spend 15 bucks and get a new one

I've been using the sink spray hose and dish soap. Do you have to take the keys off to use the dishwasher?

I just put mine in the dishwasher complete - put a plastic bag over the plug and tape it but that is it

Even the plug is just rubber and metal, so you don't really have to do this.

(Just make sure it's dry before you plug it back in.) :p

I have washed mine in the dishwasher also. Taking out the circuit board speeds up the drying time.

Now if that was a laptop keyboard..... :D

.... if that was a laptop keyboard .. :eek: .. it would drown !!

Why do I feel like a freshman in high school and you guys are trying to sell me an elevator pass?

You don't REALLY put them in the dishwasher do you? I am just absolutely terrible on keyboards.... right now I see coffee spots, crumbs, ashes, fingernail polish, and accumulated dirt.... I usually just toss them every few months and get a new one.. they're so cheap now. But I do keep the cans of air around to blow out the debris every so often.

Yes
 

This is not a joke--it really works...try it on a keyboard you don't mind trashing first if you don't believe us :)

Gosh if this works, I could get a decent keyboard - instead of the $9 ones I treat as disposable. I have 3 'retired' ones around here somewhere in a box.. I may be a sucker - but I'm gonna try it... :D

Hold key board upside down & use canned air to blow stuff out from under keys. Rubbing alcohol works good on top.

Had a key board be underwater for 24 hrs & still work. I've used sink sprayer, but never dishwasher. Do you all use pots & pans or lite wash cycle?? Heat dry or air dry??

Be sure to unplug first if using water to clean. :eek:

Son washed his shirt in dishwasher a few times. The apt. laundry cost $$, however the dishwasher in his apt. didn't. A relative will mention shirts in dishwasher at every reunion. :p :p

Buy new one via your preferred carrier's link & get miles!

The local freshmen soon learn there is no swimming pool on the 3rd floor.

Well, a few didn't learn until they were sophomores ~ they're the same ones that slow down the security line. :D

It works on cheap keyboards. I don't know if anyone has tried it on a really nice one :)

In the Armed Forces, we used trichloroethylene, which also seems toxic to one's liver and penetrates into the water supply. Whoops, you DO NOT want to do that!

OTOH, we also used the common cleaner - degreaser "409" on many electronic components, afterward drying with comrpessed air. Still works pretty well.

One time I was doing mandatory training in Si Valley, and a reasonably passive-aggressive guy dumped a half-can of Coca Cola into my laptop keyboard. Forget it, sugar will revert to carbon, and the citric and carbonic acid... time to visit eBay and buy a replacement keybaord, $20 or so, and it worked fine. He also had to sit through the entire training, 'cause I don't go away that easily. :D

Not very keyboard is $15, if I have to replace mine I'm out $240...

Go on, tell us which one it is....

Try using alcohol.
Or nail polish remover.

diswasher
 

I just use the lightest cycle available and air dry it.

Our IT guy at work does this too. It really does work!

Just let it dry first.

^

Yes i REALLY PUT IT IN THE DISHWASHER !! always have done - was worried the first time I had it recommended to me (by an IT engineer) but never looked back !!!

Sorry, folks, I am old fashioned - "409" and compressed air will continue to be my friend. :)