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Keyboard Washing Question

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  • L Lost User

    I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry. Last week I was given an original iMac (one of those blue all-in-one CRT thingies) complete with keyboard, mouse and all the original CD's. The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house. So I am wanting to give it a clean using the above mentioned method. Anyone know if this is OK with an iMac keyboard? Or am I on my own having to give it a go and hope it doesn't stuff up?

    Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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    Lost User
    wrote on last edited by
    #3

    Cant you just plug a normal usb keyboard into them?

    Objects in mirror are closer than they appear

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    • L Lost User

      I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry. Last week I was given an original iMac (one of those blue all-in-one CRT thingies) complete with keyboard, mouse and all the original CD's. The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house. So I am wanting to give it a clean using the above mentioned method. Anyone know if this is OK with an iMac keyboard? Or am I on my own having to give it a go and hope it doesn't stuff up?

      Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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      Ennis Ray Lynch Jr
      wrote on last edited by
      #4

      Just don't do it with the keyboard plugged in. Make sure it dries out fully before using it too. I would also rinse in distilled water several times when I am done.

      A man said to the universe: "Sir I exist!" "However," replied the Universe, "The fact has not created in me A sense of obligation." -- Stephen Crane

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      • C Christian Graus

        I doubt I'd do that to any but an older keyboard that isn't wireless or otherwise contains electronics. I sure wouldn't do it to a Mac one.

        Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ Metal Musings - Rex and my new metal blog

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        Lost User
        wrote on last edited by
        #5

        Christian Graus wrote:

        I doubt I'd do that to any but an older keyboard that isn't wireless or otherwise contains electronics. I sure wouldn't do it to a Mac one.

        This is an older (4-5 years?) and connects using USB.

        Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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        • L Lost User

          Cant you just plug a normal usb keyboard into them?

          Objects in mirror are closer than they appear

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          Lost User
          wrote on last edited by
          #6

          Possibly, but it has the connector for the mouse, 15 function keys and just looks like it is made for the iMac. I'm not going to do anything serious with it, probably clean it, fire it up, install the OS, go ooh ahh, then turn it off and put it in the garage for a hundred years.

          Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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          • L Lost User

            I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry. Last week I was given an original iMac (one of those blue all-in-one CRT thingies) complete with keyboard, mouse and all the original CD's. The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house. So I am wanting to give it a clean using the above mentioned method. Anyone know if this is OK with an iMac keyboard? Or am I on my own having to give it a go and hope it doesn't stuff up?

            Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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            atregent
            wrote on last edited by
            #7

            I just recently cleaned out my old keyboard with an air compressor and blower nozzle. It's amazing how much fluff and gunk came out (including one of my girlfriends broken fingernails). But, it feels just like it did when it was new. Cheers, Anthony.

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            • L Lost User

              I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry. Last week I was given an original iMac (one of those blue all-in-one CRT thingies) complete with keyboard, mouse and all the original CD's. The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house. So I am wanting to give it a clean using the above mentioned method. Anyone know if this is OK with an iMac keyboard? Or am I on my own having to give it a go and hope it doesn't stuff up?

              Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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              Weiye Chen
              wrote on last edited by
              #8

              Michael Martin wrote:

              I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry.

              I didn't know keyboards can be cleaned this way. lol... And i have never cleaned my keyboard before. :->

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              • L Lost User

                I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry. Last week I was given an original iMac (one of those blue all-in-one CRT thingies) complete with keyboard, mouse and all the original CD's. The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house. So I am wanting to give it a clean using the above mentioned method. Anyone know if this is OK with an iMac keyboard? Or am I on my own having to give it a go and hope it doesn't stuff up?

                Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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                kakan
                wrote on last edited by
                #9

                My suggestion is to pry the caps off, gently, with a screwdriver. Then wash them in the sink. Let them dry. While the caps are drying, blow the keyboard clean inside with compressed air.

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                • L Lost User

                  I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry. Last week I was given an original iMac (one of those blue all-in-one CRT thingies) complete with keyboard, mouse and all the original CD's. The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house. So I am wanting to give it a clean using the above mentioned method. Anyone know if this is OK with an iMac keyboard? Or am I on my own having to give it a go and hope it doesn't stuff up?

                  Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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                  peterchen
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #10

                  Michael Martin wrote:

                  The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house

                  Give my keyboard back! (Did I ever own a MAC??) ;) Anyway, you can be the first to try, and make a web site about it.


                  We are a big screwed up dysfunctional psychotic happy family - some more screwed up, others more happy, but everybody's psychotic joint venture definition of CP
                  Linkify! || Fold With Us! || sighist

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                  • L Lost User

                    I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry. Last week I was given an original iMac (one of those blue all-in-one CRT thingies) complete with keyboard, mouse and all the original CD's. The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house. So I am wanting to give it a clean using the above mentioned method. Anyone know if this is OK with an iMac keyboard? Or am I on my own having to give it a go and hope it doesn't stuff up?

                    Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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                    ACMJ
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #11

                    The fun way, Just run a bath, get on the old Spedo attach a floor scrubing brush to you hand, loads of suds and give it the "who's you daddy!":-D Then take it out the bath, run outside and holding it spin round and round in circles to dry. Making wheee sound effects helps a lot to. Technical way, Ensure there is no power source for the keyboard, submerge in cold water and soap your keyboard. Scrub Clean. The trick, the faster it dries, the less likely it is to rust.

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                    • L Lost User

                      I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry. Last week I was given an original iMac (one of those blue all-in-one CRT thingies) complete with keyboard, mouse and all the original CD's. The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house. So I am wanting to give it a clean using the above mentioned method. Anyone know if this is OK with an iMac keyboard? Or am I on my own having to give it a go and hope it doesn't stuff up?

                      Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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                      S Douglas
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #12

                      Michael Martin wrote:

                      I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry.

                      :eek: I fire up the Air Compressor to clean out my keyboard, desk and everything else in the general area.


                      I'd love to help, but unfortunatley I have prior commitments monitoring the length of my grass. :Andrew Bleakley:

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                      • L Lost User

                        I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry. Last week I was given an original iMac (one of those blue all-in-one CRT thingies) complete with keyboard, mouse and all the original CD's. The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house. So I am wanting to give it a clean using the above mentioned method. Anyone know if this is OK with an iMac keyboard? Or am I on my own having to give it a go and hope it doesn't stuff up?

                        Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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                        Dave Sexton
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #13

                        When it needs cleaning, I usually disassemble it and wash each key individually, clean the inside of the casing, and put it back together again. I've done this on many a keyboad and always got good results. Can't tell you how to go about it for an iMac tho which pretty much makes my posting in this thread useless. Damn.

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                        • L Lost User

                          I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry. Last week I was given an original iMac (one of those blue all-in-one CRT thingies) complete with keyboard, mouse and all the original CD's. The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house. So I am wanting to give it a clean using the above mentioned method. Anyone know if this is OK with an iMac keyboard? Or am I on my own having to give it a go and hope it doesn't stuff up?

                          Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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                          Prakash Nadar
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #14

                          I use petrol to clean the electornic part of the electronic stuff.


                          -Prakash

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                          • L Lost User

                            I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry. Last week I was given an original iMac (one of those blue all-in-one CRT thingies) complete with keyboard, mouse and all the original CD's. The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house. So I am wanting to give it a clean using the above mentioned method. Anyone know if this is OK with an iMac keyboard? Or am I on my own having to give it a go and hope it doesn't stuff up?

                            Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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                            Rage
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #15

                            Open it. The electronic layer is _always_ separated from the keys inside the keyboard, so you can wash the plastic part and the keys without problem, empty the keyboard from what got gathered inside, and then reassemble everything when it is dry.

                            ~RaGE();

                            I think words like 'destiny' are a way of trying to find order where none exists. - Christian Graus

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                            • L Lost User

                              I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry. Last week I was given an original iMac (one of those blue all-in-one CRT thingies) complete with keyboard, mouse and all the original CD's. The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house. So I am wanting to give it a clean using the above mentioned method. Anyone know if this is OK with an iMac keyboard? Or am I on my own having to give it a go and hope it doesn't stuff up?

                              Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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                              Ray Kinsella
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #16

                              Nice prezzy for you, you must be pleased ? That would make a nice linux box ...

                              Regards Ray "Je Suis Mort De Rire" Blogging @ Keratoconus Watch

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                              • L Lost User

                                I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry. Last week I was given an original iMac (one of those blue all-in-one CRT thingies) complete with keyboard, mouse and all the original CD's. The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house. So I am wanting to give it a clean using the above mentioned method. Anyone know if this is OK with an iMac keyboard? Or am I on my own having to give it a go and hope it doesn't stuff up?

                                Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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                                Duncan Edwards Jones
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #17

                                Presumably you have to buy proprietry apple soapy water, which costs three times as much as the leading brand but does come in a really nice designer bottle? ;)

                                '--8<------------------------ Ex Datis: Duncan Jones Merrion Computing Ltd

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                                • D Duncan Edwards Jones

                                  Presumably you have to buy proprietry apple soapy water, which costs three times as much as the leading brand but does come in a really nice designer bottle? ;)

                                  '--8<------------------------ Ex Datis: Duncan Jones Merrion Computing Ltd

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                                  Ray Kinsella
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #18

                                  so cynical today ...

                                  Regards Ray "Je Suis Mort De Rire" Blogging @ Keratoconus Watch

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                                  • S S Douglas

                                    Michael Martin wrote:

                                    I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry.

                                    :eek: I fire up the Air Compressor to clean out my keyboard, desk and everything else in the general area.


                                    I'd love to help, but unfortunatley I have prior commitments monitoring the length of my grass. :Andrew Bleakley:

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                                    L Offline
                                    Lost User
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #19

                                    S Douglas wrote:

                                    I fire up the Air Compressor to clean out my keyboard, desk and everything else in the general area.

                                    Got me a 2.5 HP compressor for just these kinds of jobs. Unfortunately nobody seems to take my carpet cleaning description seriously. The amount and variety of crap in this keyboard means that the compressed air alone will not do the job.

                                    Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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                                    • L Lost User

                                      Christian Graus wrote:

                                      I doubt I'd do that to any but an older keyboard that isn't wireless or otherwise contains electronics. I sure wouldn't do it to a Mac one.

                                      This is an older (4-5 years?) and connects using USB.

                                      Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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                                      WillemM
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #20

                                      Should be possible, I did it once with a USB flashdrive in the washing machine. Just make sure that there's no powersource in the keyboard and dry the thing really well afterwards.

                                      WM.
                                      What about weapons of mass-construction?

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                                      • L Lost User

                                        Possibly, but it has the connector for the mouse, 15 function keys and just looks like it is made for the iMac. I'm not going to do anything serious with it, probably clean it, fire it up, install the OS, go ooh ahh, then turn it off and put it in the garage for a hundred years.

                                        Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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                                        Dario Solera
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #21

                                        Michael Martin wrote:

                                        I'm not going to do anything serious with it, probably clean it, fire it up, install the OS, go ooh ahh, then turn it off and put it in the garage for a hundred years.

                                        :laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh: May I use that statement as signature? Please!

                                        _____________________________________________ Tozzi is right: Gaia is getting rid of us. My Blog [ITA] - Developing ScrewTurn Wiki 1.0 RC

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                                        • L Lost User

                                          I know that if you spill anything on most PC keyboards you can soak them in warm water with a small amount of detergent added. Then rinse a couple of times in warm water before turning them upside down to dry. Last week I was given an original iMac (one of those blue all-in-one CRT thingies) complete with keyboard, mouse and all the original CD's. The keyboard looks like it has been used for a couple of years to pick stuff up off the carpet of a pretty filthy house. So I am wanting to give it a clean using the above mentioned method. Anyone know if this is OK with an iMac keyboard? Or am I on my own having to give it a go and hope it doesn't stuff up?

                                          Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash 24/04/2004

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                                          MatthysDT
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #22

                                          Whatever you do, DONT take the keybord apart, and if you do, DONT pull the layered circuits apart, it's usually simple looking plastic sheets. For some reason, putting them back the way you found them never works, must have something to do with static, I'm not sure. Just know, NO TOUCHIE!:cool:

                                          you can't forget something you never knew...

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