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BANG FOR THE BITE
If 10,000 Biters choose an alternative keyboard duster over a bottle of the regular stuff, we'll avert the climate-changing effect of driving from SF to Bozeman 44,834 times.
COCKTAIL FACT
A Milwaukee news editor designed the QWERTY keyboard to slow down typing rates so that typewriter keys would jam less often.
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home › tip library › Keyboard Cleaning
Got a crumb-y keyboard?
The Bite
Take CTRL. Clean up your dirty 'board - but not before you DELETE regular keyboard dusters from your life. Instead, SHIFT to an ALT cleaner to ESC chems and keep the earth from paying the TAB for a messy desk.The Benefits
- Forgo bad chems. Standard keyboard cleaners contain toxins that have actually killed people who inhale them for fun.
- A cleaner keyboard. Keys are supposed to click, not crunch, when you type.
- Less pollution with natural keyboard cleaners. A 10-oz can of chem duster will have the same greenhouse gas-creating effect as burning 100 gallons of gas.
Personally Speaking
Jen once turned over her keyboard and shook it in front of the Bozeman team. Enough crumbs came out that Brett considered saving his lunch money and feasting there (fortunately, he was joking).Wanna Try?
- ReAir Refillable Duster - chem-free duster; no need to buy the pricey air pump to refill - you can use a bike pump instead ($16).
- DIY Bite: Turn your keyboard upside down and give it a little shake, then slide a piece of 2-sided adhesive tape between your keys to pick up dirt, hair, and other grossness.
Jul 09,2007
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All editorial suggestions in this tip are the result of testing and a preference for the tip topic. No advertiser has paid to have its company referenced in the tip. For more information, please read our Editorial Policy.
Technofilth
I think most of us walk around thinking we're pretty clean and tidy. We shower daily, wash our hands, and brush our teeth. We take pains to avoid eating over our keyboard, but alas, crumbs and dirt continue to fall through the cracks.
The problem with keyboards is all the nooks and crannies - it's tough to get in there. Air and tape are great for light jobs, but sometimes the shake and stick just doesn't restore your keyboard to minty freshness. I once tried running an older keyboard through the dishwasher with no soap (which technically is supposed to work). It melted. I've also popped off keys and made a clean sweep underneath, but wow, it takes forever and it'd be easy to permanently break something.
So now there's the iPhone, which has no keyboard, just a touch screen that will make the filth on our hands more evident than ever (and also test our dependency on tactile feedback, raising the life-and-death question: Is the clickety-clack worth the hassle of cleaning?). The upshot? A simple wipe on ye olde shirt sleeve does the cleanup trick without scratching. So cool, so clean...if only it didn't mean I'd have to forgo paying rent - and then some - to afford one.
-Jenifer Morgan...off to wash that tech lust right out of my hair...
The problem with keyboards is all the nooks and crannies - it's tough to get in there. Air and tape are great for light jobs, but sometimes the shake and stick just doesn't restore your keyboard to minty freshness. I once tried running an older keyboard through the dishwasher with no soap (which technically is supposed to work). It melted. I've also popped off keys and made a clean sweep underneath, but wow, it takes forever and it'd be easy to permanently break something.
So now there's the iPhone, which has no keyboard, just a touch screen that will make the filth on our hands more evident than ever (and also test our dependency on tactile feedback, raising the life-and-death question: Is the clickety-clack worth the hassle of cleaning?). The upshot? A simple wipe on ye olde shirt sleeve does the cleanup trick without scratching. So cool, so clean...if only it didn't mean I'd have to forgo paying rent - and then some - to afford one.
-Jenifer Morgan...off to wash that tech lust right out of my hair...
Biter Comments...
I'm surprised you haven't suggested removing the keys and washing them off individually. Then, keyboard unplugged of course, you can wipe off the grime from the surface beneath with ease. Key removal is as simple as removing one with a flat screwdriver or other shim and the rest can be wedged off with your fingers.
Why take off all the keys to clean them? That takes forever and I know I always have to look at another keyboard or diagram to put them all back on (typing is one thing, reassembly is another in my case). I just lock my screen and use an old t-shirt rag (Q-tips for the crannies) and a vinegar solution. For under the keys I use the shake-all-over-the-place dance and air spray combo, which works fine for me.
As far as putting your keyboard in the dishwasher, well you need to use the no-heat option if you have it, but it is better just to run it under the shower and let it air dry for 24-48 hours: the geek remedy for super sticky keyboards or liquid related keyboard emergencies.
Here's a video that shows you how to put your keyboard safely through the dishwasher. Fun to watch.
http://coudal.com/keywasher.php
I usually just vacuum my keyboard with the soft brush and then wipe the top of the keys down with a damp cloth when the computer is off.
Wow, was just noticing an ant walking across the keyboard last night. Then read this tip today. Never thought about why
that ant was traveling the keyboard terrain. When I get home, I'll begin cleaning right away. Thanks.
Besides the cute dishwasher demo, which was a major waste of water, not also doing a full load of dishes (or keyboards) at the same time, reassembly is as simple as keeping the keys in order on your desk when you disassemble. Or, you can use a keyboard diagram such as Mac OS X's Keyboard Viewer or any that you'd find online.
I simply remove the keys and use a microfiber cloth and warm water. No chemicals needed. Other than that I just dust it off on a regular basis. I wouldn't recommend putting a wireless keyboard in the dishwasher or through the shower. Or any keyboard with real electronics like bluetooth, USB ports or such. I doubt they would survive intact.
I'd recommend a washable keyboard.
There are a few to choose from, including the SpillSeal Unotron that you can wash under the tap, or the new True Touch Roll-Up keyboard that's dust proof and moisture proof. I LOVE this one...
Check it out:
http://rollupkeyb.notlong.com
I love the ReAir idea of a refillable compressed air can. Unfortunately, after following that link and subsequently searching, it is nowhere to be found. That product is no longer on the market. I suspect it was bought out by Read Right, who then marketed a refillable head assembly, for which you have to buy new cans of compressed gas, thereby nullifying the reason for buying the original ReAir product (no more nasty empty cans going to the dump). Guess there's not enough profit in selling something that doesn't require refill cans. Greedy bastards.
I find it very easy and effective to vacuum my keyboard with the brush attachment of my vacuum cleaner. It is powerful enough to suck debris from between and underneath the keys but won't do any harm. Just takes a second or two as well.
Biters,
Sorry for today's link - I called that store to see what was up. Apparently they sold out just after the tip aired (meaning some of you were able to get the last of their stock). I asked around and found an alternate retailer:
http://www.ikonsupplies.com/browse/detail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524441761521&PRODUCT<>sku_id=1689949371893496&FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374302024193&ASSORTMENT<>ast_id=2534374302024193&bmUID=1183999317266
They should still have a few in stock, according to the customer service guy I spoke with.
does this apply to laptops?..embedded and toughest keyboard to clean.. but got serious crumbs in it
Vacuuming might not totally clean a seriously dirty and crumb-laden laptop keyboard, however I would sure think it would clean it to some extent... better than nothing. Since I do the vacuum with brush attachment fairly regularly my keyboard never has a chance to get really bad.
Here's a recipe to keep your keyboard clean--
1/2 cup isopropyl alcohol
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon baking soda
Mix well and keep near your computer for quick touchups. Spay it on your monitor or use cotton ball for keyboards.
I have also found keyboard cleaning brushes online- simple handheld brushes. I suppose you could just use a large paintbrush too (combined with shaking upside down!)
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Posted by: Annie | July 09, 2007 at 04:04 AM