Wha's the best way to clean a very dirty computer keyboard?

Question

Can I take it apart? Can I soak it in something? It's a Mac wireless, does that make a difference?

Answer 1

Baby wipes do the best job. If there's crummies between the keys, hold it upside down and shake it!! I know this works from experience..

Answer 2

I've had luck cleaning many laptops brought into my shop by using a cheap (with emphasis on cheap!) toothbrush and compressed air. You want to buy an extremely cheap toothbrush as nicer ones have all sorts of fiddily extra brushes and flexible parts. Run the toothbrush hairs inside the slips of the keyboard keys, and gently make passing motions through them, until you cover the entire length of the keyboard. blowing it out with some compressed air will help make this a lot easier if you do so beforehand.

Answer 3

Use your favorite search engine and type in "how to clean keyboard". There are many good instruction sets within the first few websites. Most require carefully removing the keys and reinstalling them after you have wiped the base. Wireless or not, the procedure is the same. Your question has made me look and notice my own the filthy keyboard!

Answer 4

Don't soak your computer in any liquid--ever. And taking it apart isn't a good idea, either. Try dampening a cloth with water and rubbing the dirt off. If you're really desperate, put just a touch of antibacterial soap on the cloth--but not so much that it's sudsy.

If it doesn't work, take it to a computer shop.

Good luck!

Answer 5

No, it isn't a good idea to try to take it apart. You can take it loose from the computer, turn it over and GENTLY shake it to remove any loose dirt, etc., from the keys. Then use rubbing alcohol and q-tips to clean the keys and around the keys. Don't soak them, just clean them with dampened q-tips. Allow the keyboard to dry and plug it back in.

Answer 6

this could sound stupid yet i promise you that that's extreme, infact i try this myself. If its in basic terms a classic keyboard devoid of fabrics aspects merely fill a bucket upwith cleansing stuff and warm water, do away with the keys out of your keyboard and imerse the whole ingredient in water over evening. To dry it out carry close it off your washing line (no longer by way of THE CABLE) for around 40 8 hours or untill dry. replace the keys and voila a sparkling key board. or you may desire to take the keys off, hand clena the whole ingredient and positioned a hoover over the keyless board.

Answer 7

Soak ? An electronics item ? sure, then head to the store and buy a new one !

Blow out loose dirt with canned air then wipe the keys with a damp (NOT dripping) cloth to remove the cheetos grease . (a bit of orange cleaner on the rag might help if there are years of fingerprints embedded on the keys)

Answer 8

I am especially intrigued by the article
"You CAN Put Your Keyboard in the Dishwasher"

Cleaning laptop keyboards
http://www.computing.net/howto/simple/keyboard/

How to Clean Up Keyboard Spills
http://www.ehow.com/how_113592_clean-keyboard-spills.html

You CAN Put Your Keyboard in the Dishwasher
http://plasticbugs.com/index.php?p=263

How to Save a Laptop from Liquid Damage
http://www.wikihow.com/Save-a-Laptop-from-Liquid-Damage

What if I spill a drink on my keyboard..
http://labnol.blogspot.com/2006/03/what-if-i-spill-drink-on-my-keyboard.html

Answer 9

Take the keys off and scrub them really good and then get a wipe and wipe down the flat, dirty areas of the keyboard. Dry off with a dry cloth and then replace keys IN THE RIGHT ORDER!!!!!!*

*write down what order the keys go in before you take them off otherwise you'll be sorry...................

Answer 10

for me what i did is use a ruler to pluck out the keys but remember the location. after that throw all in plucked key in water , use a cloths to clean the key base follow by the keys in the water and pluck it back