Cleaning your keyboard

[Trivun]

I have a friend who took a pressure washer to his, but it didn't survive. Are q tips and alcohol really the best way?

What the hell? That's the worst thing you can possibly do, pressure washing a keyboard is just plain idiotic.

I actually had my laptop back from repairs today after damaging the keyboard by spilling water on it three weeks ago. The keyboard now works great, but one of the ways I tried to clean it before was with a vaccuum. It didn't really work too well. Usually I just use a light duster, my nan has one that she uses and that works pretty well to get rid of the dust and stuff. Not too sure what to do about anything more dirty than that, though

 

[Soxafloppin]

Compressed Air is good. But tis far better just to pop all the keys off and use lemon juice in water to clean all inside with Cotton Buds.

 

[AkJay]

I'm surprised this hasn't been posted yet:
http://h71016.www7.hp.com/html/interactive/washkeyboard/model.html

It's a new keyboard that you can actually run under a sink to clean.
As for me, I just use a tissue to my Saitek and wipe the dust off. As for under the keys... I don't go there... not anymore.

 

[Good morning blues]

You people are all wrong. This is the easiest way to clean a keyboard (assuming it is the right type):

1) Flip the keyboard over. You will see several tiny screws. Unscrew them.
2) Pull the top of the keyboard off. The part with all of the buttons and faceplates will separate from the part with all of the electronics.
3) Put the part with the buttons and faceplates in the dishwasher. If you don't have a dishwasher, just wash it by hand in the sink with dish soap.
4) Set it out and wait for it to dry completely.
5) If needed, blow some compressed air on the part with the electronics, although it probably won't need any cleaning at all.
6) Re-assemble your keyboard.

It's easy, and it works. I don't know why knowledge of this method isn't more widespread.

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

I've used a compressed air sprayer and dust rag to clean the keyboard. Then when the screen needs wiping down i uses professional screen cleaner.

 

[Low Key]

Apparently, this stuff works pretty well


For the most part though, I turn my keyboard upside down to knock all of the shit out of it. Then, I wipe down the keys with alcohol. It doesn't need to be anymore labor intensive than that.

 

[Redlin5_v1legacy]

I should invest some time into cleaning mine. Who knows what stuff lurks beneath the keys.

 

[Macgyvercas]

What I do is disasemble it and use a vacuum cleaner hose. Works for me.

 

[Grike]

http://xkcd.com/237/

(Sorry, not sure how to post pics yet D

Anyways, that's how I did it the first time. Not doing that anymore.

EDIT: Dang, ninja'd.

 

[thenumberthirteen]

Mine's only a couple of months old so probably doesn't need cleaning yet. The awesome thing about it (among other awesome features) is that it comes with a dust guard to place over it when it's not in use. That way it doesn't get filed with as much dust and grime. Also I put it on if I'm eating at my computer to prevent crumbs.

 

[Poofs]

i use a can of compressed air
i tilt the keyboard on the side and spray one way then flip and repeat
usually gets most of it out

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Except for blowing on it once or twice, nothing really. However I like the idea of using a brush attachment on a vaccuum cleaner.