I was going to put mine in the dishwasher. Figured the rest of the laptop wouldnt like it that much, and went back to picking the bits of ham sandwich i just droped from my touch pad and eating them. Tasty.
I used to put my Logitech Deluxe Access in the dishwasher all the time- just make sure you remove the membrane and any other 'electric' parts first. I had to clean the keys individually though as I didn't really like the idea of 100 odd pieces of plastic flying around in the dishwasher. Laptops though, as you said, are a bit of a bitch to clean, so I just make sure mine never gets to the state where it needs any serious cleaning done. When I'm not out and about it's plugged into an Ergo4000 anyway, which is a lot more hassle to take apart than the Logitech was so I simply give it the once over with a baby wipe every week or so.
So long as it's dry when it's turned on, getting electrical equipment wet shouldn't usually cause a problem. Don't hairdry them though.
I put mine keys into the washing machine. Works miracles. Can't do it with the mouse though, unfortunately.
I see a market opportunity here: a dishwasher-proof keyboard. Think about it. Design the whole thing to come apart: the PCB and membrane form the skeleton frame, while the plastic housing and key-array pop off and into the dishwasher. After cleaning and drying you pop them back on the base frame.
Well, I've got the flu over this bank holiday weekend. I know I picked it up at work (computer technician, school.) Although we have rules against it, the kids eat and drink in front of the machines when they think no-one is looking. Cola and crisps in the keyboards are one thing, but desiccated chicken and bits of pizza stuffed down the back of the computers? The best part is when one of them decides to sneeze. You can see it coming. They aim and fire, either at the monitor or over the keyboard. I have a bottle of get disinfectant next to my desk, but sometimes it's just not enough.
It may depend on the keyboard really. Some may be to sensitive to have high powered hot water shot at it, or it may have not been completely dry when plugged back in. I know my Dell Klacky Mammoth withstands dishwashers, drops, and little kids.
*looks at my keyboard* Wow.. it really is dirty.. ick *breaks out some cleaning wipes* Some of my letters have worn off! Is it bad that I don't look at my keyboard often enough to notice this??
No, because that one, as you point out, sucks. I was thinking of a conventional keyboard, but me in which you can conveniently separate the delicate electronic bits from the plastic human body interface bits.
I think this depends on how often you clean / use your toilet in comparison to your keyboard. It also goes for anything else you touch, your mouse for example will probably be even dirtier than your keyboard.
Hand salsa (noun): The slimy substance left on a mouse or joystick after a harrowing round of a high-stress videogame. "Sure, you can play, if you don't mind the hand salsa." Example Citation: "The Alps Interactive Gamepad for the PlayStation(TM) game console features the familiar 14-button layout, and an ultra-smooth direction pad. It is the first PS gamepad with rubber grips, which reduces the 'hand salsa,' and gives players the control required to compete in today's competitive gaming environments." —"Alps Interactive Gamepad Voted Best Overall Controller by Video Game Advisor Magazine," Business Wire
Some keyboards can be diskwashered. Still some dirt is good for your immune system right? Next we won't be going outside as thats too dangerous...
