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[Guide] Cleaning your keyboard

Forum Index > General Forum
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1 2 3 Next All
DoubleAce
Profile Joined June 2009
United States108 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-06-05 22:39:32
June 05 2009 22:05 GMT
#1
Nowadays computer is a big part of our lives. Many paperwork, documents, games, chat, and many more are used on the computer. Sometimes we get lazy and don't bother cleaning our keyboard or wipe their computer. As time pass by you will that your keyboard is starting to dust up and get dirty. Sometimes you think to yourself, "I want to clean my keyboard its so dirty and ugly, but ughhh i just don't know how!" Well in this guide i will go over a few different methods to clean your keyboard. If your keyboard looks like this..
[image loading]

then you came to the right thread!
Hope one works and hope at least one will help you!

What you will need?
1.Thin Cloth
2.Duster
3.Cotton Buds
4.Can of compress air
5.Flat tip screwdriver

Method 1

1. Always shut down your computer and detach your keyboard first. Make sure you don't have your computer running while doing this because it can harm your computer.

2. Turn the keyboard upside down and remove all the screws from the back.

3.Lift the top half of the keyboard (The one with the keys on it) off and put the bottom half to one side.
* There may be some clips on the keyboard, also, check for screws hidden under labels.

4.Turn the top half around so that you can see the backs of the keys, squeeze the tabs on each key to remove it.

5. Put the keys in a hot bowl of water and wash it.

6.Leave the keys on the side dry it.

7.Once everything is dry reassemble the keyboard.

[image loading]

It will be as good as new!

Method 2

The first one might be a little difficult and more time consuming, but dont worry this is another option!

1.Detach your keyboard and turn off the computer like always.

2.Turn the keyboard upside down tap it a couple times so that random dirt pieces will fall out.

3. Use a can of compress air and blow out any dirt or things that you don't want.
[image loading]


4. Clean the keyboard with a cotton swab dipped into alcohol.

5. You may also use a flat screwdriver to gently remove the keys. Do this by gently prying up each key with a small screwdriver or a similar lever. When the keys have been remove blow it and wash it out. Then put it back to place

[image loading]


Method 3

1.Again you always turn off the computer and detach the keyboard.

2. Get a butter knife and a thin cloth.

3. Wrap the blade of the butter knife in the j-cloth, ensuring the cloth is as tight as possible. (Depending on the knife, you may simply want to just place the knife blade in the center of the cloth and pull the corners back, creating a one-layer thick cover over the blade)
[image loading]


4. Using force, scratch all the dust an dirty things off the side of the keys


Comments

Hope this helps everyone! I have used these methods many time and i see great results.
If you want to clean your laptop, compress air itself is enough. Hey, to everyone who asked how to clean a laptop keyboard. It's best to use a can of compress air but make sure you dont turn your can of compress air upside down. Keep the can of compress air a inch or two away from your keyboard as you direct the air between the keys. If the air is not reaching to a certain part you want it to reach you may always tilt your laptop, so that you can access to the correct angle. Another method you may choose is to take the keys out individually, however i do not prefer it because some laptops might be fragile and some might not even go on. If you are confident in taking out the keys then you may do so, but don't use too much force just use enough force to pop the key out. If you forget the order in which the keys on your keyboard go, simply boot up your computer. Go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>Accessibility>On Screen Keyboard This will give you a keyboard on the screen, which you can simply copy the order of letters/numbers/characters off. This will be posted in the comment sections. If you have any questions please feel free to ask by PM me or reply on this thread. Thanks everyone for viewing!
unsoundlogic
Profile Blog Joined September 2006
United States391 Posts
June 05 2009 22:17 GMT
#2
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=94351
quirinus is gonna be pissed.
Nice guide. How do I go about cleaning laptop keyboards? I think there might be some random crumbs under some of my buttons T_T
evanthebouncy!
Profile Blog Joined June 2006
United States12796 Posts
June 05 2009 22:24 GMT
#3
yeah i have laptop as well... I have no idea how to clean it
Life is run, it is dance, it is fast, passionate and BAM!, you dance and sing and booze while you can for now is the time and time is mine. Smile and laugh when still can for now is the time and soon you die!
parkin
Profile Blog Joined July 2007
1083 Posts
June 05 2009 22:28 GMT
#4
just buy a new keyboard.
mostly harmless
Carnac
Profile Blog Joined December 2003
Germany / USA16648 Posts
June 05 2009 22:33 GMT
#5
methods 2-4 don't fully clean the keyboard imho

I did method 1 a couple of weeks ago (after like 3 years of not doing it), it was pretty disgusting
ModeratorHi! I'm a .signature *virus*! Copy me into your ~/.signature to help me spread!
DoubleAce
Profile Joined June 2009
United States108 Posts
June 05 2009 22:37 GMT
#6
Hey, to everyone who asked how to clean a laptop keyboard. It's best to use a can of compress air but make sure you dont turn your can of compress air upside down. Keep the can of compress air a inch or two away from your keyboard as you direct the air between the keys. If the air is not reaching to a certain part you want it to reach you may always tilt your laptop, so that you can access to the correct angle. Another method you may choose is to take the keys out individually, however i do not prefer it because some laptops might be fragile and some might not even go on. If you are confident in taking out the keys then you may do so, but don't use too much force just use enough force to pop the key out. If you forget the order in which the keys on your keyboard go, simply boot up your computer. Go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>Accessibility>On Screen Keyboard This will give you a keyboard on the screen, which you can simply copy the order of letters/numbers/characters off. This will be posted in the comment sections. Hope it helps you guys!
Itachii
Profile Blog Joined April 2008
Poland12466 Posts
June 05 2009 22:38 GMT
#7
I once cleaned my keyboard, everything went well and reassembled it without any problem.Then 2 years later i wanted to do it once more, and this crap wouldn't work after cleaning it.
No way i am touching my current keyboard!
La parole nous a été donnée pour déguiser notre pensée
Eatme
Profile Blog Joined June 2003
Switzerland3919 Posts
June 05 2009 22:43 GMT
#8
Removing the space bar and putting it back is a bit tricky since it usually got som metal stuff that needs to be put back correctly. Always have a problem getting that right when I clean my keyboard.
I have the best fucking lawyers in the country including the man they call the Malmis.
mcgriddle
Profile Joined April 2009
United States253 Posts
June 05 2009 22:54 GMT
#9
laptop keyboard suck... i ended up breaking these tiny pieces when i took keys out so just ended up ordering a new laptop. Made up some crap story on the phone about how the keys were not working and got sent a free keyboard. New keyboard makes laptop feel like new :D.
Reason obeys itself....and ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it.
Sadistx
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
Zimbabwe5568 Posts
Last Edited: 2009-06-05 23:04:10
June 05 2009 23:02 GMT
#10
Haha this is a nice change of pace from the "male masturbation guide". I've personally been using method 1 and gotta say it's been the most successful for me.

I boil the keys in a mixture of alcohol and water (i guess you could call it vodka cleaning) and vacuum the rest of the keyboard. It gives the keys that squeaky clean feeling again and kills most of the germs (it should anyway)

The scissor type keyboards (most notebooks are) are hard to clean though - the mechanism for the key is very fragile and i must have rendered at least a dozen keys useless before i figured out how to take them off properly.
deathgod6
Profile Blog Joined January 2008
United States5064 Posts
June 05 2009 23:04 GMT
#11
On June 06 2009 07:17 unsoundlogic wrote:
http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=94351
quirinus is gonna be pissed.
Nice guide. How do I go about cleaning laptop keyboards? I think there might be some random crumbs under some of my buttons T_T

At first I thought it was the same guy. Stolen idea? :X
4.0 GPA = A rank 5.0 GPA = Olympic --------- Bisu, Best, Fantasy. i ♥ oov. They can get in my BoxeR anyday.
RyanS
Profile Blog Joined January 2009
United States620 Posts
June 05 2009 23:34 GMT
#12
I don't find this guide helpful.

You can put your keyboard in the dishwasher (turn off drying cycle) and it will come out nice and clean. If you let it dry thoroughly for 4-5 days it will work perfectly. I've done this with all of the keyboards in my house and it worked fine.
floor exercise
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Canada5847 Posts
June 05 2009 23:47 GMT
#13
Or you can just put it in the dishwasher like I have always done to clean keyboards
PH
Profile Blog Joined June 2008
United States6173 Posts
June 05 2009 23:54 GMT
#14
I'm gonna have to do method one. Thanks for posting.
Hello
floor exercise
Profile Blog Joined August 2008
Canada5847 Posts
June 05 2009 23:57 GMT
#15
No seriously all those methods are obscenely stupid. If you have a keyboard that isn't one of those retarded $$$$ gamer keyboards $$$$ with lcds and flashing lights stick it in your dishwasher on rinse, on the cold water setting. Then put it somewhere with good ventilation and let it dry out for a few days. I usually put it somewhere with a a fan blowing nearby for circulation. As long as you don't try to use it while it's wet nothing will happen and it will look brand new.
Kennelie
Profile Joined December 2007
United States2296 Posts
June 06 2009 00:01 GMT
#16
well now I will try the dishwasher method with my house keyboards and jobs as well. Only if I could learn how to clean my laptops keys.
ya had ya shot kid!
SlayerS_BunkiE
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
Canada1713 Posts
June 06 2009 00:06 GMT
#17
this is great... thanks
iloveby.SlayerS_BunkiE[Shield]
PobTheCad
Profile Blog Joined July 2006
Australia893 Posts
June 06 2009 00:12 GMT
#18
never seen small f keys like those
is that a mac thing?
Once again back is the incredible!
DeathSpank
Profile Blog Joined February 2009
United States1029 Posts
June 06 2009 00:17 GMT
#19
On June 06 2009 09:12 PobTheCad wrote:
never seen small f keys like those
is that a mac thing?

yup. also we have tiny ctrl and option buttons which sorta suck. Am I a cheater if I assign ctrl to my mid mouse button?
yes.
jgad
Profile Blog Joined March 2008
Canada899 Posts
June 06 2009 00:21 GMT
#20
This is all too much.

1) Turn keyboard over.
2) Hit it a few times.
3) Scrub with old toothbrush.
4) Vacuum.

Job done.
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