Sticky keyboard keys & cleaning

outtatune

Take the keyboard apart, clean with a damp cloth, let it dry, put it back together again.

unforeseen

B0bbyEwing said:

Is this a wind up with all this dishwasher talk? Lol.

Nope not a wind up. I've washed keyboards in a bowl of warm soapy water before. Dishwasher may be a bit much due to the higher temps though 

Grey_Critic

I recall seeing something on a site where it was suggested putting the keyboard in the bath with some washing up liquid and agitating then in clear water - leave to dry and fixed.

 

Incidently I do have a Windows desktop that someone bought in 2012? did not like it so stuck it in a cupboard when about a momth old. 

Managed to upgrade to W10 and I use it sometimes - Has 13 USB ports and had to buy a Wifi dongle. Main thing is I can load and burn discs sometimes.

.

B0bbyEwing

Does the water not get in to any electrical workings of the keyboard?

Grey_Critic

B0bbyEwing said:

Does the water not get in to any electrical workings of the keyboard?

No idea but the old fashioned keyboards were/are switching devices - when yo press a key it only directs the current in a particular direction - As I understood it you left it in a warm dry space and it dried itself out. Personally I would have just bought a new keyboard they are cheap enough.

matelodave

I think a lot depends on the type of keyboard, but there are a lot of videos on t'interweb to show you how to get the different keyboards apart to clean them

The older Cherry units had proper switches, one per key whereas many modern keyboards have a rubber dome, resistive pad and strange scissor like suspension under the keycap which is easily broken and not easy to replace (ask me how I know)

TBH its probably easier to replace it than trying to clean finger jam or biscuit crumbs out of the innards. I'm not sure that sticking it into a dishwasher, bath or near any sort of water is likely to improve it's operation especially if there are any electronics in there.

outtatune

It takes 5 minutes to take apart a keyboard and clean it with a damp cloth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANfPuOuOJ38

Putting it in the dishwasher is just daft.

flaneurs_lobster

outtatune said:

It takes 5 minutes to take apart a keyboard and clean it with a damp cloth

Excellent, so after 5 minutes you've got a sparkling clean pile of plastic bits and 47 assorted screws. ...and after another 3 hours of attempting to put it back together you bin the lot.

Eldi_Dos

flaneurs_lobster said:

outtatune said:

It takes 5 minutes to take apart a keyboard and clean it with a damp cloth

Excellent, so after 5 minutes you've got a sparkling clean pile of plastic bits and 47 assorted screws. ...and after another 3 hours of attempting to put it back together you bin the lot.

It is cheaper than buying a jigsaw so could be considered moneysaving in that respect.

Grey_Critic

That's It  - Been wondering where all those little scews came from. It's from when I have taken things apart to try and mend it - and failed.

If anyone is short of little screws I have some to spare