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  3. Keyboard Washing Question

Keyboard Washing Question

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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:

    L Offline
    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

      W Offline
      W Offline
      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

        D Offline
        D Offline
        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

          M Offline
          M Offline
          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...

          P 1 Reply Last reply
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          • L Lost User

            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

            S Offline
            S Offline
            S Douglas
            wrote on last edited by
            #23

            Michael Martin wrote:

            Got me a 2.5 HP compressor

            [sarcasm] bout all thats good for is blowing up bicycle tires. :)

            Michael Martin wrote:

            The amount and variety of crap in this keyboard means that the compressed air alone will not do the job.

            Clearly the previous owner failed to read the Apple hand book, revile in steve jobs brilliance and just look at his products. Don’t actually use them. [/sarcasm] I have never had such a problem, while I eat at my desk I make sure to keep greasy foods well clear of the keyboard. So the Air compressor is plenty enough for what I need, or the occasional wipe down with an alcohol cloth. Might be worth trying, if it’s as bad as you say the keyboard might not be salvageable in the first place so what harm could a little water do?


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

            1 Reply Last reply
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            • D Dario Solera

              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

              L Offline
              L Offline
              Lost User
              wrote on last edited by
              #24

              Dario Solera wrote:

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

              Go ahead, it's been ages since I have been a signature.

              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

              1 Reply Last reply
              0
              • M MatthysDT

                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...

                P Offline
                P Offline
                pontellen
                wrote on last edited by
                #25

                I ended up with a keyboard that didn't work once. The user 'fessed up that they spilled hot cocoa on it. I did take it completely apart, more as an investigative exercise. Of course noting exactly how it went back together, too. Including all of the plastic sheets and electrical connects. I washed, rinse and let dry for several days. It worked and looked like new once I put it all back together. Was it worth my time? I don't know, but now I have a (clean) spare keyboard. pontellen

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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

                  D Offline
                  D Offline
                  DarshanJShah
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #26

                  Just don't do it with the keyboard plugged in. Make sure it dries out fully before using it too.

                  Darshan Shah Software Programmer

                  1 Reply Last reply
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                  • K kakan

                    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.

                    D Offline
                    D Offline
                    Danyul_C
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #27

                    http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/7076/ Perfect cleaning option!

                    K 1 Reply Last reply
                    0
                    • K kakan

                      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.

                      J Offline
                      J Offline
                      josborne
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #28

                      If you pry the keycaps off, just remember you have to put them back on the right keyswitches. You'd be surprised how mysterious the obscure corners of the keyboard are with the keycaps gone. I'd take a digital photo of the keyboard just for security.

                      jdo

                      K 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • K kakan

                        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.

                        M Offline
                        M Offline
                        Matglas
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #29

                        I did exectly what you said about a few monthes ago. Just flip the caps of the keyboard and clean them in hot water.

                        1 Reply Last reply
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                        • J josborne

                          If you pry the keycaps off, just remember you have to put them back on the right keyswitches. You'd be surprised how mysterious the obscure corners of the keyboard are with the keycaps gone. I'd take a digital photo of the keyboard just for security.

                          jdo

                          K Offline
                          K Offline
                          kakan
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #30

                          You can get fun results, though... Especially if it's someone elses keyboard :laugh: Seriously, it's a good idea.

                          Alcohol. The cause of, and the solution to, all of life's problems - Homer Simpson

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                          • D Danyul_C

                            http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/7076/ Perfect cleaning option!

                            K Offline
                            K Offline
                            kakan
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #31

                            It seems good. And it can even be used for cleaning Rocket Launchers, HAL 9000s and Imperial Walkers! I can see where that's useful. :laugh:

                            Alcohol. The cause of, and the solution to, all of life's problems - Homer Simpson

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