My dirty keyboard

[aspen]

My keyboard is getting so dirty. Its got the grunge build up, it has a billion hairs stuck underneath the keys. So whats the best way to clean it?

Chris

[Ian]

Easy, take all the keys out with a knife or screwdriver then stick it in the sink and use good old washing up liquid. (Don't forget to unplug it first!)

[Nicky]

I have chocolate stains on my keyboard.
They are staying there because:
1) I am too lazy to clean it
2) They are a testimonail to how hard I work!

[Sparkie]

I usually dab the keys with a well-wrung out washcloth, and then use a high-pressure air can to get the stuff out of the niches and corners where it likes to hide

[aspen]

I just got to thinking how much bacteria is probably growing on it and decided I needed to clean it.

Still wanna keep that chocolate stain Nicky?

Chris

[mad-onion]

I just got a new keyboard last week and i intend to keep it real clean...lol

In the past i have just swapped the keyboard for another until i feel like carrying out some monotonous chores at which point i clean it.

[Nicky]

Hey
My keyboard is like a that trusty old tshirt you never want to take off!
My space bar doesn't work properly either.

[mjames]

Sounds like me - my keyboard is getting noticeably more dirty. Guess I'll have to do something about that.

[oodie]

4 choices :
1. Open the keyboard, take out all the keys and clean them
2. Use keyboard's vacuum cleaner
3. Buy a new one
4. Live with it until you can't press the keys anymore

[Timothy]

My keyboard is getting prety bad too. Maybe it'll give me a good excuse to get one of those new "cool" keyboards with lots of features and buttons :-)

[Aidan Bahta]

I have one of those "cool" keyboards...complete with 19 shortcut keys...it's the top-of-the-line Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro. And it's clean...going to stay that way.

I have a way of keeping my computer clean...I never eat in the same room that my computer is in. My old keyboard was not cleaned once in its 4 years of service. I had to clean the fuzz that accumulated in my old mouse regularly, however.

...it has a billion hairs stuck underneath the keys...

aspen...did you by any chance use your keyboard to comb an animal?

[Elledan]

LOL Timothy

Well, I've got a cheap keyboard (less than $7) and it works perfectly, while my brother has got himself a Microsoft keyboard with those buttons for IE. Only problem is that it those buttons don't work

BTW my keyboard is almost as clean as when I got it, it's a bit more dusty, but no greasy spots on it...
The trick? I wash my hands before I start typing and I don't eat while typing

[James]

I have a nice new wireless keyboard
Its pretty dirty already but i turn it upside down and shake it violently which generally sorts it out for another few weeks

[Justin S]

I'd like the tell everyone a story I have that occured because of this thread. My keyboard was very dirty! Hair, food, and other "things" were under the keys. After reading this thread I decided to clean my keyboard. I soaked it in water (w/o the keys), then put it outside on my driveway to dry. Well I forgot about it until my Mom got home. She got home and had ran over my keyboard with her car! Ah geez

[Hierophant]

With today's modern electronic keyboards you should not submerse them in water. I usually just use pressurized air (not the canned stuff they sell because it hurts the environment but normal everyday air) and then wipe the keyboard down with rubbing alcohol which dries in seconds.

[Chicken]

So what you're saying Wayne, is that we *shouldn't* just throw it in the washing machine with our "unmentionables" ???

[Hierophant]

Yes.. washer machine, kitchen sink, shower, garden hose, these should all be considered anethema to your computer equipment.

[HyperBaseball]

Get one of those air-gun things that blow out... air. You use them to clean in between the keys. Not to mention they're fun to shoot at other people.