The best way to clean your keyboard - bit-tech.net Forums

Sifter3000 · 5th Jul 2009, 10:51

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/per...our-keyboard/1

You defrag your hard disk, delete old programs and route your cables neatly, but when it comes to PC maintenance its likely you're overlooking something obvious - your keyboard. From fluorescent goo to the dishwasher, we take a look at the best ways to shine up your QWERTY keys.

mjm25 · 5th Jul 2009, 11:01

HOW did those keyboards get to that state?! i'd probably use it as an excuse to get a shiny new keyboard :P

In fact with my old G15 the dirt couldnt accumulate because the black colouring of the keys started to come away.

that cyber goo looks awesome though....

Aterius Gmork · 5th Jul 2009, 11:10

I tend to put the keys and top layer of my keyboards in the washing machine about three or four times a year, at the lowest setting possible (30 mins, 30°C). Works miracles and has yet to leave any signs on the keyboard.

The best way to clean your keyboard actually is precaution, i.e. not eating or drinking at the computer table and covering up the keyboard during the night to protect it from dust, so it doesn't get as bad as you guys' keyboards in the first place.

Jipa · 5th Jul 2009, 11:13

What I do is:

Pop off a key on a corner of the keyboard. (namely the §) , and blow air so all the dust/hair/whatever loose stuff behind the keys comes out through the hole.

Use an alcohol cleaning wipe to wipe the keys. I have a load of those hospital wipes, but after those run out, I'll probably just use IPA and a random rag/tissue. Couldn't be arsed to disassemble my G15 and see if it gets ruined in the dish washer.

Kenny_McCormick · 5th Jul 2009, 11:13

Dishwasher cheesecake! I use the coolest water settings also. It's the universal solucion, also works for (CDs and DVDs)

Dr. Strangelove · 5th Jul 2009, 11:17

Hmm most often I only clean my keyboard when I spill coke or tea on it and it gets too sticky to use.. then I take it apart and bring it to work. Here I have access to de-ionized water, cleaning reagents and best of all 100% ethanol.. clean it up nice with water and cleaning reagents.. and the soak it in ethanol for a few min.. take it out and the ethanol will evaporate in no time .. so no waiting

billysielu · 5th Jul 2009, 11:22

I cleaned my Saitek Eclipse a couple of weeks ago. I found the keys were sticking, which was getting me killed in CS:Source. So I got some canned air, which did get a lot of light crumbs out of it - but the keys still stuck. So I got annoyed one night and took the whole thing apart, it was much easier than I thought. Unfortunately I don't have a dishwasher, so I had to use the Fairy liquid method.

Sheiken · 5th Jul 2009, 11:22

I clean my desk and peripheral pc devices twice a week, when I clean my apartment....ocd ? :P

onimkron · 5th Jul 2009, 11:31

I just vacuum the keys with my dyson- gets rid of the dust really well. As for the grime, a lot of patience with a rag and some water.

Veles · 5th Jul 2009, 11:39

I still haven't figured out how to open my keyboard up.

Smilodon · 5th Jul 2009, 11:41

There is only one way to clean computers. Soap and water:

(Yes, pictures show the covers for an entire laptop)

I never use shared keyboards do this doesn't worry me much, really. I do give keyboards and mice a wipe down with alcohol wipes every once in a while, though. Especially at work where i handle some pretty NASTY computers sometimes.

pullmyfoot · 5th Jul 2009, 11:54

I kinda just take my keyboards out to the garden once in awhile (I do this for the household fan beside my computer too) and jet it with my garden hose. Its like the dishwasher, just without the destruction. Then I shake it real hard and wipe it with a cloth to dry it and clean off any dirt still sticking onto the keys. I then grab a hair dryer on the lowest and coolest setting and prop up the keyboard(s) on something and aim the dryer at it for half an hour or so. They come out real clean and I dont have to take anything apart. Simple and effective (and will take you <1h, which is mostly waiting time anyways. Its possible to NOT use your computer for an hour you know

).

Maybe I should use this in conjunction with that putty thing. Gonna order it now

mystvearn · 5th Jul 2009, 12:27

I use a vacum cleaner to vacum the keys. Works well too!`

mystvearn · 5th Jul 2009, 12:31

btw, how to post this on facebook?
I think you need a facebook link

Bbq.of.DooM · 5th Jul 2009, 12:32

best solution: new keyboard.

proxess · 5th Jul 2009, 12:46

What about laptop keyboards? I've also got 3 cats which leave cat hairs everywhere, including under my keys.

mystvearn · 5th Jul 2009, 13:11

I noticed that on my toshiba laptop, after using it for 5 years now, keys which are constantly being used becomes shiny. No idea why. The keyboard is black in colour.

Ending Credits · 5th Jul 2009, 13:12

My Zboard shoulod be as easy as hell to clean but somehow dirt just stays there.

Matticus · 5th Jul 2009, 13:33

The dishwasher one surprised me a little at first, but I guess it makes sense.

If anyone is interested Tesco sell a 350ml can of air, "Fellowes Air Duster" for about £3.50. The cheapest I found in my local Maplin was a similar sized can for £12. And Whsmith for £9.

Teq · 5th Jul 2009, 13:35

Coffee, Coke and Red Bull are the biggest killers of my keyboards, I've only soaked one keyboard, most of the time I just grab a new one as said substances corrode the connectors anyway.

5th Jul 2009, 10:51	#1
Sifter3000 Editor @ CPC bit-tech Staff Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: The South Sea Bubble Posts: 770	The best way to clean your keyboard http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/per...our-keyboard/1 You defrag your hard disk, delete old programs and route your cables neatly, but when it comes to PC maintenance its likely you're overlooking something obvious - your keyboard. From fluorescent goo to the dishwasher, we take a look at the best ways to shine up your QWERTY keys. __________________ Alex Watson. CPC and bit-tech. My weblog is The Wired Jester. Photos on Flickr.

5th Jul 2009, 11:01	#2
mjm25 Hiiyaaaa Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kent, England Posts: 221	HOW did those keyboards get to that state?! i'd probably use it as an excuse to get a shiny new keyboard :P In fact with my old G15 the dirt couldnt accumulate because the black colouring of the keys started to come away. that cyber goo looks awesome though.... __________________ EP45-UD3R, QX6800, 8GB Ballistix 6400 4-4-4-12, 4870x2, All in a CoolerMaster CM690! And now using... Windows 7, it's luuuuurvely

5th Jul 2009, 11:13	#4
Jipa Licenced idiot. Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Tampere, Finland Posts: 3,070	What I do is: Pop off a key on a corner of the keyboard. (namely the §) , and blow air so all the dust/hair/whatever loose stuff behind the keys comes out through the hole. Use an alcohol cleaning wipe to wipe the keys. I have a load of those hospital wipes, but after those run out, I'll probably just use IPA and a random rag/tissue. Couldn't be arsed to disassemble my G15 and see if it gets ruined in the dish washer. __________________ Abit IP35 - E6750 - 8800GT 1024 MB - 2 GB 800 MHz - enough HDDs - 750 W Silverstone - CM Storm Sniper Asus P5Q-VM - Q9450 - 4 GB - 400 W Silverstone - Fortress FT01 AllTheMods - MetkuMods - LedCalc

5th Jul 2009, 11:13	#5
Kenny_McCormick Play hard, go pr0n Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 100	Dishwasher cheesecake! I use the coolest water settings also. It's the universal solucion, also works for (CDs and DVDs) __________________ Planet Express Klan (modding & gaming clan) --> www.pekweb.es Sorry for my bad english

5th Jul 2009, 11:17	#6
Dr. Strangelove Supermodder Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dundee Posts: 306	Hmm most often I only clean my keyboard when I spill coke or tea on it and it gets too sticky to use.. then I take it apart and bring it to work. Here I have access to de-ionized water, cleaning reagents and best of all 100% ethanol.. clean it up nice with water and cleaning reagents.. and the soak it in ethanol for a few min.. take it out and the ethanol will evaporate in no time .. so no waiting __________________ If it isn’t broken, fix it. If it is broken, mod it till it looks like it's meant to be broken.

5th Jul 2009, 11:10	#3
Aterius Gmork Look Mr. Bubbles, it's an angel! Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Germany Posts: 698	I tend to put the keys and top layer of my keyboards in the washing machine about three or four times a year, at the lowest setting possible (30 mins, 30°C). Works miracles and has yet to leave any signs on the keyboard. The best way to clean your keyboard actually is precaution, i.e. not eating or drinking at the computer table and covering up the keyboard during the night to protect it from dust, so it doesn't get as bad as you guys' keyboards in the first place.

5th Jul 2009, 11:22	#7
billysielu Minimodder Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 29	I cleaned my Saitek Eclipse a couple of weeks ago. I found the keys were sticking, which was getting me killed in CS:Source. So I got some canned air, which did get a lot of light crumbs out of it - but the keys still stuck. So I got annoyed one night and took the whole thing apart, it was much easier than I thought. Unfortunately I don't have a dishwasher, so I had to use the Fairy liquid method.

5th Jul 2009, 11:22	#8
Sheiken Wat? Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 268	I clean my desk and peripheral pc devices twice a week, when I clean my apartment....ocd ? :P __________________ Whoring Out My Hardware 1.0! Gaming Buddies : AMD Phenom II X2 550BE @ 3.6ghz X4 - Asus M4A785TD-V EVO - 4GB XMS DDR3 - Asus 4890 HTDI - NZXT Beta - Xbox 360 Premium Study Buddies: Macbook Unibody - Iphone 3Gs

5th Jul 2009, 11:31	#9
onimkron What's a Dremel? Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2	I just vacuum the keys with my dyson- gets rid of the dust really well. As for the grime, a lot of patience with a rag and some water.

5th Jul 2009, 11:41	#11
Smilodon The Antagonist Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Norway Posts: 4,897	There is only one way to clean computers. Soap and water: (Yes, pictures show the covers for an entire laptop) I never use shared keyboards do this doesn't worry me much, really. I do give keyboards and mice a wipe down with alcohol wipes every once in a while, though. Especially at work where i handle some pretty NASTY computers sometimes. __________________ "You have to wonder about a business plan based on the notion that people want to interact with a soda can." -Jeff Salkowski abot the :CueCat My Flickr

5th Jul 2009, 11:54	#12
pullmyfoot superbacon Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 72	I kinda just take my keyboards out to the garden once in awhile (I do this for the household fan beside my computer too) and jet it with my garden hose. Its like the dishwasher, just without the destruction. Then I shake it real hard and wipe it with a cloth to dry it and clean off any dirt still sticking onto the keys. I then grab a hair dryer on the lowest and coolest setting and prop up the keyboard(s) on something and aim the dryer at it for half an hour or so. They come out real clean and I dont have to take anything apart. Simple and effective (and will take you <1h, which is mostly waiting time anyways. Its possible to NOT use your computer for an hour you know ). Maybe I should use this in conjunction with that putty thing. Gonna order it now __________________ PII 720BE X3 @ 3.8Ghz \| HD4850 \| 4gigs OCZ Reper \| Gigabyte 790GX \| WDC 640gb Black \| OCZ StealthXstream 500W \| CM RC-690 Pure \| W7 RC Athlon II 250 X2 @ 3.85Ghz \| HD4670 \| 4 gigs OCZ Reper \| Gigabyte 770 \| WDC 500gb Black \| Vista Home Premium D80 \| Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-11

5th Jul 2009, 12:27	#13
mystvearn any-may Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK Posts: 155	I use a vacum cleaner to vacum the keys. Works well too!`

5th Jul 2009, 12:31	#14
mystvearn any-may Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK Posts: 155	btw, how to post this on facebook? I think you need a facebook link

5th Jul 2009, 12:32	#15
Bbq.of.DooM Custom User Title Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 1,463	best solution: new keyboard. __________________ Wowomg!!

5th Jul 2009, 12:46	#16
proxess Victim of AdvancedModernCapitalism Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The town of Love, Funchal Posts: 601	What about laptop keyboards? I've also got 3 cats which leave cat hairs everywhere, including under my keys. __________________ Netbook: Asus eeePC 901; 12Gb SDD; Custom Ubuntu 9.04 Minimal Compiz Standalone. Laptop: Intel Centrino Duo T5500 1.66ghz; 2048mb RAM; ATI Mobility Radeon x2300; Hitachi 120gb iPod Classic 120GB; Maxtor 160GB External; Ubuntu 9.10 x64 and Windows 7 x64.

5th Jul 2009, 13:11	#17
mystvearn any-may Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: UK Posts: 155	I noticed that on my toshiba laptop, after using it for 5 years now, keys which are constantly being used becomes shiny. No idea why. The keyboard is black in colour.

5th Jul 2009, 13:12	#18
Ending Credits Hoot if you're a revowlutionary. Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Bucks, UK Posts: 1,764	My Zboard shoulod be as easy as hell to clean but somehow dirt just stays there. __________________ A Little Game I made in Leadwerks AMD Phenom 9850 Black Edition \|\| DFI 790FXB-M2RSH \|\| Powercolour ATI 4870 1GB \|\| 4GB 1066Mhz GEIL Black Dragon \|\| Aplus Black Pearl WCR \|\| Yurak 24" PVA \|\| 19" Hanns-G \|\| Vista 64-bit AMD Phenom 9500 \|\| GIGABYTE GA-M720-US3 \|\| MSI 7600GT \|\| 2GB DDR2 1066Mhz \|\| bequiet 350W

5th Jul 2009, 13:33	#19
Matticus Do me a favour, plug me into a Sega Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Peterborough Posts: 1,413	The dishwasher one surprised me a little at first, but I guess it makes sense. If anyone is interested Tesco sell a 350ml can of air, "Fellowes Air Duster" for about £3.50. The cheapest I found in my local Maplin was a similar sized can for £12. And Whsmith for £9. __________________ \|\|\|E8200@3.4ghz\|\|\|GA-P35-DS3L\|\|\|4GB OCZ/Corsair DDR2 800\|\|\|8800GT 512mb\|\|\|VX450w\|\|\|Under Water\|\|\|

5th Jul 2009, 13:35	#20
Teq 69 Dude!! Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 69	Coffee, Coke and Red Bull are the biggest killers of my keyboards, I've only soaked one keyboard, most of the time I just grab a new one as said substances corrode the connectors anyway.