Cleaning a keyboard

[RougeUnderoos]

I've got a logitech wireless keyboard and it was sure spiffy when it was new, but now there is all sorts of crap in it. Crap that you can see because the face is made out of some sort of black/translucent plastic.

I tried one of those little vacuum attachments designed for this but that only cleans between the keys, and not under the "frame" part.

The logitech website wasn't very helpful -- it told me to use that attachment thingie and make sure I don't but the keyboard in the dishwasher.

So, there are a bunch of screws on the back, and I think I can just unscrew 'em, take off the face, clean her up and put the thing back. Anyone ever tried this? I'd rather not, you know, wreck it, but it looks pretty straightforward.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

I dunno I usually just flip the thing upside down, smack it on the table to knock out the junk inside, then use antibacterial wipes to finish it off. Seems to work well enough

[RougeUnderoos]

Thanks, but I've tried that. I've given myself a headache shaking this thing so hard. Some of this stuff just isn't coming out.

I'm going to take the top off. If you never hear from me again...

[Rathji]

Take the keyboard apart, using the screws you mentioned.

Make a note of where all the random keys go, not the ones for the keyboard, but 'extras' like F Lock, Volume Controls etc that come with new keyboards. These will be a pain to get back into place, but it you pay attention it shouldn't be a big deal. If you are worried, then take a lot of pictures.

Inside the keyboard will be a small circuit board where the wireless signal etc is processed. Make a note of how it is mounted among the other components and the plastic casing. It will be connected to one or 2 plastic 'sheets' that contain the circuits that activate for each individual key. Also there will be a rubber sheet with little knobs that the keys push onto to activate the circuit.

The plastic sheets that are connected to the circuit board, generally don't get dirty and I have never cleaned, but I would suggest a minorly damp cloth at most to clean it.

Everything else you throw in the bathtub that is a few inches deep with hot water and dishsoap. Let it soak a few hours, or overnight if you can, and it will soak anything off.

Use a Qtip, toothpick, or any random type tool to get the gunk that is under the keys themselves. I always used to have a ton of hair there. Alternately you could pop off each key individually and clean it real good, like if you spilled a pepsi on it or something, but it depends on your situation.

Once dried, then you put it back together.

[You Need a Thneed]

My dad soaks dirty keyboards in the bathtub for a bit, then takes them out and lets them thoroughly dry for a couple of weeks. Works pretty good for him.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by Teh_Bandwagoner

I dunno I usually just flip the thing upside down, smack it on the table to knock out the junk inside, then use antibacterial wipes to finish it off. Seems to work well enough

Tha's what i do also.

[RougeUnderoos]

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[RougeUnderoos]

[GoinAllTheWay]

Me thinks it didn't go well.......

[Hack&Lube]

Your keyboard is just still wet. The thin plastic sheet with the contacts on it needs to be totally dry.

[RougeUnderoos]

Ha, no, just kidding. It went fine and looks like new. No water involved except to scrub the individual keys. I opened it up and vacuumed it out and cleaned the keys and wiped down the top, which was pretty grubby.

Thanks for all the suggestions folks.

[Boblobla]

Have you tried the dishwasher? I am sure that would get it clean.

[Barnes]

I've used the dishwasher before but you have to let dry for a long time.

[Hack&Lube]

I cleaned my keyboard last night. Now the num lock stays on and the buttons do nothing.

[FanIn80]

Canned air and anti-bacterial wipes.

[millhouse11]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Canned air and anti-bacterial wipes.

+1, unless it's protein stains, then it goes in the dishwasher...

[rbochan]

All wiyht. Rho sritched mg kegtops awound?

[MoneyGuy]

Pressure washer.

You never said whether you'd ever like to use the keyboard again.