recently i spilled some soda (coke) on keyboard and have now 5 really sticky keys. what can i do?

Question

is space bar key, b,h,g stickier for longer period

Answer 1

Remember Waste is Destruction. "Purchasing a new keyboard" (essentially laptop) is wasteful when parts of yours are salvagable.

Emergency operation process for sticky-keys:

1. Purchase or obtain:
--Q-Tips
--Seltzer or carbonated water or some rubbing alcohol
--A can of pressurized air (not kidding; your keyboard probably needs cleaned anyway; this is the time to do it)

2. Remove, carefully, the "sticky keys" from the keyboard. Slide a fingernail or a thin object under the keys that are sticky and use gentle pressure to remove the keys "directly up" works best to pop the keys off of the keyboard. The Space Key is very important and probably has some kind of elaborate spring mechanism: both sides should be treated carefully when removing the key. Be careful to make note of the structure/setup of these mechanisms and to not lose any spare parts.

3. Using Q-Tips that have been soaked, but not doused, in the seltzer water or rubbing alcohol solution, clean the dry and sticky goo off the inside of the keyboard. In the meantime, soak the "sticky keys" in some carbonated or seltzer water.
Use lots of Q-Tips.

Also, just to state the obvious: Do Not Attempt While The Computer is Plugged Into Any Electrical or Power Outlet.

4. Wait until the keyboard is completely dry. At least 20 minutes, depending upon the humidity of your particular environment. Turn the keyboard upside down and tap it gently upon a hard surface to remove dust and other particles. Use the can of pressurized air to blow out any foreign-object particles lingering in the other spaces of your keyboard. This will prevent future episodes of "sticky keys"

5. Be sure the "sticky keys" that were soaking in the seltzer water are _completely_ dry and not sticky before you re-attach them to your keyboard.

EDIT 02-01-07: Clarification

I have successfully used this procedure myself: on a Sony Vaio laptop notebook computer and indeed with a space key becoming literally "sticky" from a similar event. The "sticky" event occured over a year ago, and I type from this very laptop today. I would not have mentioned this here if my methods had not worked. I'd like to question whomever gave this a "thumbs down" -- for purchasing a new keyboard? Did you notice the category subject where this question has been asked?

>>Laptops/Notebooks

Regardless, way to be wasteful and extravagant. Such a response sounds like it comes from a typical American.

Answer 2

Pop off those keys using a pen or paperclip and wash them in hot soapy water. Get a rag with hot soapy water and clean off the sticky pop on the actual keyboard. Let air dry or use a paper towel to dry it up quicker. Gently push the keys back into place, the space bar is a bit trickier, it usually has a metal bar that has to fit in its holder first.

It's really not a big deal to do this, about once a year I take off all my keys and give them a good scrubbin'. I just wouldn't submerge the actual keyboard in water, I've heard of people who have done it, but usually wiping down the space under the keys is all you need to do.

Answer 3

You can generally wash the keys of the keyboard by popping them off (even on some laptops). Use soap and water and let them dry thoroughly before putting them back on. If you have soda also on the surface, try using a Q-tip slightly wet with alcohol, but avoid touching any exposed electronic components with it.

Answer 4

If you feel up to it, you can remove your keyboard and rinse it (or soak it) in distilled water. The secret is not to re-install it for at least two days to let it completely dry. If you don't let it dry you won't have a working keyboard left....

I've done it a few times myself lol

Answer 5

Dude, a new keyboard costs $8. You sound like a tight wad but $8 is like sacrificing a lunch.

Answer 6

I use alcohol and a paper towel for my keyboard. I wrap index finger with the paper towel and place it over the opening of the alcohol container. In other words just enough to dampen the paper towel.
Of course only when the computer is off.

Answer 7

Like BPL said, you can get a new one for $8 (or$10). How much is your time worth? I bill mine out at $75/Hr. (I work cheap), so a new keyboard is worth less than 12 minutes.

Answer 8

you can always try and dismantle the keyboard and clean the keys, I find using nail polish remover great for cleaning up marks on k/boards or mouses, metho spirits is also really good.

Answer 9

You can unscrew the underside and remove the face. Lift the keys off and carefully, clean with q-tip

Answer 10

pull the keys right of off the keyboard and wash them. that is unless your keyboard is on the laptop, then your Sh@t out of luck.