washing keyboard

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jim Macklin
  • Start date Start date
J

Jim Macklin

I have read that some MS keyboards can be washed with
running waster. Is this true and is there are reference? I
have the MS Multimedia keyboard and it is several years old
and pretty grungy. I'd like to use some mild detergent and
a some clean water to really clean it if possible. Of
course, If I ruin it, a new kybd is not very expensive.
 
Jim Macklin said:
I have read that some MS keyboards can be washed with
running waster. Is this true and is there are reference? I
have the MS Multimedia keyboard and it is several years old
and pretty grungy. I'd like to use some mild detergent and
a some clean water to really clean it if possible. Of
course, If I ruin it, a new kybd is not very expensive.
Click to expand...

This should start an interesting thread, I imagine.

Here's what I've been doing for years:

Get a sheet of newspaper and lay it out flat.
Turn your keyboard over and shake it around
in all axes on top of the sheet.

Notice all the really nifty stuff that falls onto the
newspaper.

Get a old, clean rag.

Mix up a solution of clear ammonia (NOT the
sudsy kind) with some water.

Wet the rag and individually clean off the keys.

Of course, your machine should be off while you do
this unless you want to experience the random "cat
walking on the keyboard" type of experience.
 
I got to wondering about how to really disinfect the kybd
after reading an article that said the toilet seat was
cleaner in most offices than the kybds. None of my keys
stick and I've shaken and blown the chunks, but really want
to kill the germs and viruses.

Years ago my son spilled a soft drink on the TV remote and
that killed it. But I took it apart and washed it under the
running tap with warm water and after it dried for two days
it worked fine. Just wondering if the newer model MS kybds
are as durable? I did a Google and got lots of answers but
did not see and "official" word.

Thanks for your reply, hope you're correct and the thread
draws a lot of good answers.

Jim
|
in message
| | > I have read that some MS keyboards can be washed with
| > running waster. Is this true and is there are
reference? I
| > have the MS Multimedia keyboard and it is several years
old
| > and pretty grungy. I'd like to use some mild detergent
and
| > a some clean water to really clean it if possible. Of
| > course, If I ruin it, a new kybd is not very expensive.
|
| This should start an interesting thread, I imagine.
|
| Here's what I've been doing for years:
|
| Get a sheet of newspaper and lay it out flat.
| Turn your keyboard over and shake it around
| in all axes on top of the sheet.
|
| Notice all the really nifty stuff that falls onto the
| newspaper.
|
| Get a old, clean rag.
|
| Mix up a solution of clear ammonia (NOT the
| sudsy kind) with some water.
|
| Wet the rag and individually clean off the keys.
|
| Of course, your machine should be off while you do
| this unless you want to experience the random "cat
| walking on the keyboard" type of experience.
|
|
| >
| >
| >
| >
|
|
 
RE: the disinfection issue -

put it in one of those cabinets with UV lights
in them?

(maybe?)
 
It would be cheaper to just buy a new kybd.


| RE: the disinfection issue -
|
| put it in one of those cabinets with UV lights
| in them?
|
| (maybe?)
|
|
in message
| | > I got to wondering about how to really disinfect the
kybd
| > after reading an article that said the toilet seat was
| > cleaner in most offices than the kybds. None of my keys
| > stick and I've shaken and blown the chunks, but really
want
| > to kill the germs and viruses.
| >
| > Years ago my son spilled a soft drink on the TV remote
and
| > that killed it. But I took it apart and washed it under
the
| > running tap with warm water and after it dried for two
days
| > it worked fine. Just wondering if the newer model MS
kybds
| > are as durable? I did a Google and got lots of answers
but
| > did not see and "official" word.
| >
| > Thanks for your reply, hope you're correct and the
thread
| > draws a lot of good answers.
| >
| > Jim
| > | > |
| > | "Jim Macklin" <p51mustang[threeX12]@xxxhotmail.calm>
wrote
| > in message
| > | | > | > I have read that some MS keyboards can be washed
with
| > | > running waster. Is this true and is there are
| > reference? I
| > | > have the MS Multimedia keyboard and it is several
years
| > old
| > | > and pretty grungy. I'd like to use some mild
detergent
| > and
| > | > a some clean water to really clean it if possible.
Of
| > | > course, If I ruin it, a new kybd is not very
expensive.
| > |
| > | This should start an interesting thread, I imagine.
| > |
| > | Here's what I've been doing for years:
| > |
| > | Get a sheet of newspaper and lay it out flat.
| > | Turn your keyboard over and shake it around
| > | in all axes on top of the sheet.
| > |
| > | Notice all the really nifty stuff that falls onto the
| > | newspaper.
| > |
| > | Get a old, clean rag.
| > |
| > | Mix up a solution of clear ammonia (NOT the
| > | sudsy kind) with some water.
| > |
| > | Wet the rag and individually clean off the keys.
| > |
| > | Of course, your machine should be off while you do
| > | this unless you want to experience the random "cat
| > | walking on the keyboard" type of experience.
| > |
| > |
| > | >
| > | >
| > | >
| > | >
| > |
| > |
| >
| >
|
|
 
Jim said:
I have read that some MS keyboards can be washed with
running waster. Is this true and is there are reference? I
have the MS Multimedia keyboard and it is several years old
and pretty grungy. I'd like to use some mild detergent and
a some clean water to really clean it if possible. Of
course, If I ruin it, a new kybd is not very expensive.
Click to expand...


What I do to is to gently pry off the keys with a flat blade
screwdriver, and clean them individually. I use a spray cleaner, and a
rag.

Of course some keyboards don't like having their keys pried off. The
larger keys have a metal thingamig to stabilize them, that can be a
pain to properly reassemble. Also, if you don't have the keyboard
layout memorized, you'll want a cheat sheet.
 
Jim Macklin said:
I have read that some MS keyboards can be washed with
running waster. Is this true and is there are reference? I
have the MS Multimedia keyboard and it is several years old
and pretty grungy. I'd like to use some mild detergent and
a some clean water to really clean it if possible. Of
course, If I ruin it, a new kybd is not very expensive.
Click to expand...

2 ways to do it.
Both involve turning off the PC, and removing power from the PC. Remove the
keyboard's cable from the PC.

One is simply cleaning the exterior surface. Do this while holding it
upside-down. Water/mild LIQUID detergent/household bleach mixture. Do not
mix ammonia and bleach. Let it dry a few hours upside-down. Do not upright
ever until dry.

Another involves disassembly. Screws are on the bottom. Multilayer
arrangement internally. Hold the keyboard upside-down so key portion
doesn't fall out initially. Clean with same solution as above. Allow to
air dry both sides of all internal parts. Or, assemble and allow to dry for
2 or more days.

A dishwasher is not recommended as the detergent may coagulate in the
keyboard internals while drying. The drying cycle of the dishwasher may
cause warpage and ruin the innards as well.

Noted in another reply. DO NOT PRY ON THE KEYS from the top of the
keyboard. The keys will not come out from the top.
 
Hello Jim,

This is what I do.

Get a hand full of Q-tips and a bottle of Windex window cleaner.

As V.Green suggested, unplug the keyboard and shake it while upside down to
allow the loose stuff to fall out.

If you have a small vacuum cleaner (for electronics) or even one of those
cans of compressed air, try to vacuum or blow the loose stuff out.

Turn it upright, pour some Windex in a small bowl, dip the Q-tips in the
Windex to clean around the keys.

If you decide to remove the keys, I suggest you do them one at a time. If
you remove more than one at a time, please take a picture of your keyboard
first. Print the picture before you unplug it for cleaning.

If you do remove any of the keys, you might consider NOT removing the
"Enter", "Shift" or "Space Bar". Those larger keys have a small clip under
them to help them move up and down without getting jammed. Leave those in
place and work around them. Those little clips (at least for me) will never
go back in the way they come out. Even if you do get them back in, the keys
will have a feel that you might not like. (Personal opinion).

Maybe your son would like to help! I know accidents happen to all of us,
but it might be a good exercise or lesson for him. Besides, it's a tedious
time consuming job, you'll want some help...!

(China would rather you buy a new keyboard)

Hope this helps!

Best regards,

Richard in Va.
+++++++++++++++++

Jim Macklin said:
It would be cheaper to just buy a new kybd.


| RE: the disinfection issue -
|
| put it in one of those cabinets with UV lights
| in them?
|
| (maybe?)
|
|
in message
| | > I got to wondering about how to really disinfect the
kybd
| > after reading an article that said the toilet seat was
| > cleaner in most offices than the kybds. None of my keys
| > stick and I've shaken and blown the chunks, but really
want
| > to kill the germs and viruses.
| >
| > Years ago my son spilled a soft drink on the TV remote
and
| > that killed it. But I took it apart and washed it under
the
| > running tap with warm water and after it dried for two
days
| > it worked fine. Just wondering if the newer model MS
kybds
| > are as durable? I did a Google and got lots of answers
but
| > did not see and "official" word.
| >
| > Thanks for your reply, hope you're correct and the
thread
| > draws a lot of good answers.
| >
| > Jim
| > | > |
| > | "Jim Macklin" <p51mustang[threeX12]@xxxhotmail.calm>
wrote
| > in message
| > | | > | > I have read that some MS keyboards can be washed
with
| > | > running waster. Is this true and is there are
| > reference? I
| > | > have the MS Multimedia keyboard and it is several
years
| > old
| > | > and pretty grungy. I'd like to use some mild
detergent
| > and
| > | > a some clean water to really clean it if possible.
Of
| > | > course, If I ruin it, a new kybd is not very
expensive.
| > |
| > | This should start an interesting thread, I imagine.
| > |
| > | Here's what I've been doing for years:
| > |
| > | Get a sheet of newspaper and lay it out flat.
| > | Turn your keyboard over and shake it around
| > | in all axes on top of the sheet.
| > |
| > | Notice all the really nifty stuff that falls onto the
| > | newspaper.
| > |
| > | Get a old, clean rag.
| > |
| > | Mix up a solution of clear ammonia (NOT the
| > | sudsy kind) with some water.
| > |
| > | Wet the rag and individually clean off the keys.
| > |
| > | Of course, your machine should be off while you do
| > | this unless you want to experience the random "cat
| > | walking on the keyboard" type of experience.
| > |
| > |
| > | >
| > | >
| > | >
| > | >
| > |
| > |
| >
| >
|
|
Click to expand...
 
I have read that some MS keyboards can be washed with
running waster. Is this true and is there are reference? I
have the MS Multimedia keyboard and it is several years old
and pretty grungy. I'd like to use some mild detergent and
a some clean water to really clean it if possible. Of
course, If I ruin it, a new kybd is not very expensive.
Click to expand...

I use a dish towel that is well-squeezed to remove excess water. (regular
dish soap works) Rinse it often, and re-squeeze. Sometimes a spray of
foaming cleaner works to loosen up the grungy stuff on the sides of the
keys.

Also, don't use harsh cleaners because they can remove the letters printed
on the keys.

-John O
 
Jonny said:
2 ways to do it.
Both involve turning off the PC, and removing power from the PC. Remove the
keyboard's cable from the PC.

One is simply cleaning the exterior surface. Do this while holding it
upside-down. Water/mild LIQUID detergent/household bleach mixture. Do not
mix ammonia and bleach. Let it dry a few hours upside-down. Do not upright
ever until dry.

Another involves disassembly. Screws are on the bottom. Multilayer
arrangement internally. Hold the keyboard upside-down so key portion
doesn't fall out initially. Clean with same solution as above. Allow to
air dry both sides of all internal parts. Or, assemble and allow to dry for
2 or more days.

A dishwasher is not recommended as the detergent may coagulate in the
keyboard internals while drying. The drying cycle of the dishwasher may
cause warpage and ruin the innards as well.

Noted in another reply. DO NOT PRY ON THE KEYS from the top of the
keyboard. The keys will not come out from the top.
Click to expand...


I have been cleaning keyboards for over 20 years by removing the keys
from the TOP and washing the keys in soap and water. I then remove any
debris with compressed air and a brush. Spilled liquids are removed
with damp towels.
 
This should start an interesting thread, I imagine.
Click to expand...


I've witnessed professional disaster recovery folks power-spray just
about every component of a PC with a "powerwasher" containing only
de-ionized distilled water and then putting the component into
something that looked like a commercial convection oven set to about
140DegF for 5 minutes.

CD drives and power supplies exempted.

PCs were disassembled to the board level. Monitors had the shell taken
off. Keyboards had the top cover removed.

I supervised the cleanup of an office that survived a total gutting
fire on the floor below. No water or fire in our space but he office
was soot-saturated. The convection oven looked like a kitchen
appliance because that's what it was.

The systems and PSUs worked fine for years, but all the computer CD
drives died within weeks. It could have been lots worse.
 
Jim Macklin said:
I have read that some MS keyboards can be washed with
running waster. Is this true and is there are reference? I
have the MS Multimedia keyboard and it is several years old
and pretty grungy. I'd like to use some mild detergent and
a some clean water to really clean it if possible. Of
course, If I ruin it, a new kybd is not very expensive.
Click to expand...

Some? "Soft touch" KB have little plastic membranes under the keys.
If they get water under them they can trap the water, and won't dry
out. (Not for days anyway) I found that out the hard way, and had to
take the whole KB aprt to dry it out. It *was* clean after I had finsihed,
however..
 
Sounds interesting. Smoke and powdered fire agents are
abrasive and often corrosive, so it doesn't surprise me that
motors and optical devices would be hard to clean and are
more delicate.

I'm glad you brought up the point about the kind of water.

I am a little tired of the blue and beige kybd, maybe I can
find black kybd I like better and washing this one would be
just an experiment.

In any case, if I do decide to wash it, I'll post a report.


| In article <[email protected]>,
| >
| >"Jim Macklin" <p51mustang[threeX12]@xxxhotmail.calm>
wrote in message
| >| >> I have read that some MS keyboards can be washed with
| >> running waster. Is this true and is there are
reference? I
| >> have the MS Multimedia keyboard and it is several years
old
| >> and pretty grungy. I'd like to use some mild detergent
and
| >> a some clean water to really clean it if possible. Of
| >> course, If I ruin it, a new kybd is not very expensive.
| >
| >This should start an interesting thread, I imagine.
| >
|
|
| I've witnessed professional disaster recovery folks
power-spray just
| about every component of a PC with a "powerwasher"
containing only
| de-ionized distilled water and then putting the component
into
| something that looked like a commercial convection oven
set to about
| 140DegF for 5 minutes.
|
| CD drives and power supplies exempted.
|
| PCs were disassembled to the board level. Monitors had the
shell taken
| off. Keyboards had the top cover removed.
|
| I supervised the cleanup of an office that survived a
total gutting
| fire on the floor below. No water or fire in our space
but he office
| was soot-saturated. The convection oven looked like a
kitchen
| appliance because that's what it was.
|
| The systems and PSUs worked fine for years, but all the
computer CD
| drives died within weeks. It could have been lots worse.
|
|
|
|
| --
| a d y k e s @ p a n i x . c o m
|
| Don't blame me. I voted for Gore. A Proud signature since
2001
 
Thanks. Sounds like it can be done if time to completely
dry is available. It also seems that a spare kybd is a good
idea.


message in message | >I have read that some MS keyboards can be washed with
| > running waster. Is this true and is there are
reference? I
| > have the MS Multimedia keyboard and it is several years
old
| > and pretty grungy. I'd like to use some mild detergent
and
| > a some clean water to really clean it if possible. Of
| > course, If I ruin it, a new kybd is not very expensive.
|
| Some? "Soft touch" KB have little plastic membranes under
the keys.
| If they get water under them they can trap the water, and
won't dry
| out. (Not for days anyway) I found that out the hard way,
and had to
| take the whole KB aprt to dry it out. It *was* clean after
I had finsihed,
| however..
|
|
|
 
I find my keyboard gets a bit grubby at times, the solution I use is as
follows, and does dissinfect at the same time. It is best doing in the
summer, when it is hot to help dry any moisture that gets into the keyboard.

First, make sure computer is switched off! Then using a spray such as Dettol
anti bacterial cleaner (any which claim they kill 99.9% of germs), spray over
the keyboard, but not directly onto it. Spray so that the surface of the keys
are moist, and leave for about 1 min. Then wipe iff with a clean soft cloth,
or towel. Alternatively, if you have one, carefully use a steam cleaner,
again, don't allow the keys to get too wet tho!

Obviously, if you have a really dirty keyboard, this wont work, you will
need to remove the keys.
 
After 4 years my Microsoft Multimedia keyboard was pretty
grungy.Food, hairs from the forearms and no doubt head, dust
and sneezes all made it bad. I bought a new keyboard just
in case... then

I turned the computer OFF
Unplugged the old keyboard and plugged the new keyboard in.

Then the old keyboard was held over the kitchen sink and 409
cleaner was sprayed directly on the keyboard until the dirt
all loosened and the crap ran out the bottom.
The sprayer was used to rinse the keyboard.
Repeat once.
Spray rinse and drained. Placed the keyboard in the car,
100 plus degrees for a few days.

Worked just fine and looks brand new. I've got a spare.

It does seem many keyboards are water resistant and better.
I make no guarantees.


message
|I find my keyboard gets a bit grubby at times, the solution
I use is as
| follows, and does dissinfect at the same time. It is best
doing in the
| summer, when it is hot to help dry any moisture that gets
into the keyboard.
|
| First, make sure computer is switched off! Then using a
spray such as Dettol
| anti bacterial cleaner (any which claim they kill 99.9% of
germs), spray over
| the keyboard, but not directly onto it. Spray so that the
surface of the keys
| are moist, and leave for about 1 min. Then wipe iff with a
clean soft cloth,
| or towel. Alternatively, if you have one, carefully use a
steam cleaner,
| again, don't allow the keys to get too wet tho!
|
| Obviously, if you have a really dirty keyboard, this wont
work, you will
| need to remove the keys.
 
After 4 years my Microsoft Multimedia keyboard was pretty
grungy.Food, hairs from the forearms and no doubt head, dust
and sneezes all made it bad. I bought a new keyboard just
in case... then

I turned the computer OFF
Unplugged the old keyboard and plugged the new keyboard in.

Then the old keyboard was held over the kitchen sink and 409
cleaner was sprayed directly on the keyboard until the dirt
all loosened and the crap ran out the bottom.
The sprayer was used to rinse the keyboard.
Repeat once.
Spray rinse and drained. Placed the keyboard in the car,
100 plus degrees for a few days.

Worked just fine and looks brand new. I've got a spare.
Click to expand...


The specialists that that clean up techno gear after a fire use plain
distilled water in a pressure spray washer and then they put the part
in a kitchen convection oven set to 140DegF for 5 minutes. I've
worked with them.

I'd use a blast from a garden hose, outdoors on a sunny , low humidity
day. Hose down the part and leave it in the sun for an hour.
 
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