bob@coolgroups.com wrote:
> What is the best way to clean a dirty keyboard?
That depends on the keyboard and how dirty it is. If you can take off the
bottom that would make it easier. Disconnect it and wash it with mild soap
solution or cleaning agent. hold it upside down to limit the liquid from
possibly running downward. Blowing it with air is helpful. You can take off
all the keys and clean them individually if you care to spend the time. You
can cover it with plastic to protect it from getting dusty too. It all
depends on what KB you have and how you value your time. I have replaced
some instead of spending the time to clean.
<bob@coolgroups.com> wrote in message
news:f11f5f5f-d3cd-411d-9d67-f1498f3b1298@s12g2000prg.googlegroups.com...
> What is the best way to clean a dirty keyboard?
If it's really nice, there's no magic way it's just a matter
of getting it all apart and back together again. Take the
screw out of the back, pull the middle out and examine it.
If that part is dirty wash with mild detergent, rinse and
wipe off excess water. As for the front and back plastic
shell, immerse in a tub of detergent water, scrub the
exterior as needed, and rapidly wiggle the top half back and
forth to dislodge dirt from under the keys and work it out
from the holes the keys slide in. Rinse, shake the top with
keys to get any large beads of water out and let it all dry
for a day before reassembly.
On some keyboards the keys aren't riding on channels in the
top half of the shell and instead have to all be
individually popped off and then put back on. Considering
the extra labor in doing this it would have to be all that
much nicer a keyboard to be worthwhile, IMO, and yet
keyboards made like this do tend to be a better build
quality.
It's safest to just hold the keyboard upside down and tap it on the
back to knock out debris, but sometimes it helps if you also brush
between the keys.
Some people recommend putting the whole keyboard in a dishwasher or
tub of warm soapy water and then rinsing with distilled water, but
don't do that because certain designs, such as those made with metal
mechanical switches or double-layer flexible circuit boards, can be
damaged that way.
Most keyboards have the keys on top, then a rubbery layer with bumps
all over it, and then a rigid or flexible circuit board below
everything. If you clean these, be sure that there's no dust, lint,
or hair on either side of the rubbery layer or the circuit board, and
line them up carefully during reasembly. If any keys are sticky, the
holes for them may need to be cleaned, and this can be done without
removing the keys by spraying the holes with electronic parts cleaner
while working the keys back and forth. It might help to then spray
dry lube in the holes. Parts cleaner can be bought from electronics
supplies, hardware stores, Fry's, and auto parts stores. Look for
something that's safe for all plastics (but test it on styrofoam),
which usually means alcohol is the main ingredient and there's no
acetone mixed in.
On Feb 17, 4:57*am, "larry moe 'n curly" <larrymoencu...@my-deja.com>
wrote:
> b...@coolgroups.com wrote:
> > What is the best way to clean a dirty keyboard?
>
> It's safest to just hold the keyboard upside down and tap it on the
> back to knock out debris, but sometimes it helps if you also brush
> between the keys.
>
> Some people recommend putting the whole keyboard in a dishwasher or
> tub of warm soapy water and then rinsing with distilled water, but
> don't do that because certain designs, such as those made with metal
> mechanical switches or double-layer flexible circuit boards, can be
> damaged that way.
>
> Most keyboards have the keys on top, then a rubbery layer with bumps
> all over it, and then a rigid or flexible circuit board below
> everything. *If you clean these, be sure that there's no dust, lint,
> or hair on either side of the rubbery layer or the circuit board, and
> line them up carefully during reasembly. *If any keys are sticky, the
> holes for them may need to be cleaned, and this can be done without
> removing the keys by spraying the holes with electronic parts cleaner
> while working the keys back and forth. *It might help to then spray
> dry lube in the holes. *Parts cleaner can be bought from electronics
> supplies, hardware stores, Fry's, and auto parts stores. *Look for
> something that's safe for all plastics (but test it on styrofoam),
> which usually means alcohol is the main ingredient and there's no
> acetone mixed in.
On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 01:57:15 -0800 (PST), "larry moe 'n
curly" <larrymoencurly@my-deja.com> wrote:
>
>
>b...@coolgroups.com wrote:
>
>> What is the best way to clean a dirty keyboard?
>
>It's safest to just hold the keyboard upside down and tap it on the
>back to knock out debris, but sometimes it helps if you also brush
>between the keys.
>
>Some people recommend putting the whole keyboard in a dishwasher or
>tub of warm soapy water and then rinsing with distilled water, but
>don't do that because certain designs, such as those made with metal
>mechanical switches or double-layer flexible circuit boards, can be
>damaged that way.
>
Detergent water will not damage anything in a keyboard, I've
washed quite a few especially those with mechanical switches
(the cheap modern type are hardly worth the bother).
>Most keyboards have the keys on top, then a rubbery layer with bumps
>all over it, and then a rigid or flexible circuit board below
>everything. If you clean these, be sure that there's no dust, lint,
>or hair on either side of the rubbery layer or the circuit board, and
>line them up carefully during reasembly. If any keys are sticky, the
>holes for them may need to be cleaned, and this can be done without
>removing the keys by spraying the holes with electronic parts cleaner
>while working the keys back and forth. It might help to then spray
>dry lube in the holes. Parts cleaner can be bought from electronics
>supplies, hardware stores, Fry's, and auto parts stores. Look for
>something that's safe for all plastics (but test it on styrofoam),
>which usually means alcohol is the main ingredient and there's no
>acetone mixed in.
>
Detergent water will suffice, is much cheaper and more
environmentally friendly.
I manage to get it somehow supported upside down with clearance
to access the keys. A hand sized brush with dishwashing liquid
scrubbing it usually gets it to near new state.
Give it a thorough cleaning and do not turn it right side up
after you have looked over your progress and deemed it clean.
Rinse it with the same brush and clear water. Shake what water
you can out of it (downward.) Rub with a towel and then paper
towel it between the keys a bit let it sit for a couple of
hours as is and then leave it overnight upside down at a slight
angle to dry.
You can turn it over after 24 hours.
A pain, but some KBs have folded membranes that can trap water
for a long time. I am using a KB that took a month to become
usable after a poorer cleaning job than I describe above.
Some solvents can finish it if there is ink or marks on it.
> On Sun, 17 Feb 2008 01:57:15 -0800 (PST), "larry moe 'n
> curly" <larrymoencurly@my-deja.com> wrote:
>
> >Some people recommend putting the whole keyboard in a dishwasher or
> >tub of warm soapy water and then rinsing with distilled water, but
> >don't do that because certain designs, such as those made with metal
> >mechanical switches or double-layer flexible circuit boards, can be
> >damaged that way.
>
> Detergent water will not damage anything in a keyboard, I've
> washed quite a few especially those with mechanical switches
> (the cheap modern type are hardly worth the bother).
I've had keyboards with metal switches containing parts made of plain
steel, including the coil springs for one. Are you saying it's OK to
wash such keyboards? It seems that the water would stay trapped long
enough to cause corrosion, but I have to admit that I haven't tested
this.
dirty keyboard 
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