Cleaning Your Keyboard?

Here is a tip for cleaning your keyboard that many of you will think is totally off the wall.

Take a look at your keyboard. If it has been in use for more than a couple of weeks, it is probably not looking as clean and inviting as it was when you first took it out of the box. That is, unless you are working with a keyboard cover.

In fact, if it has been used for more than a month, it probably is looking pretty grungy at this point in time. Overtime, your keyboard will be picking up a new look from whatever comes in contact with it. If you use a lot of hand lotion, which is common here in Canada, the problem occurs even faster. Not only does the hand lotion transfer to the keys, but it acts as a perfect medium for collecting dust and dirt.

Clean hands is one of the first things that can assist in keeping your keyboard clean, but many of you will not be the only one using it. Take into consideration that kids and even pets will be adding to the build up that you are seeing.

When it comes to the point in time that you look at your keyboard and shudder, it is time to give that keyboard a bath. Contrary to what many believe, keyboards are not necessarily ruined by liquids. They are ruined by liquids if they get wet while they are attached to the computer and have electricity flowing through them.

Now I do have to insert a disclaimer here. I have not tried this with a wireless keyboard, only a standard keyboard with a PS/2 connector. See the image to help you identify the PS/2 connector. Most PS/2 connectors are identified by their small round shape and purple color. A wireless keyboard is just that, wireless and probably requires batteries to work. As well, this is definitely not something you want to do with a keyboard that is integrated, such as the keyboard on a laptop.

To get properly setup for cleaning your keyboard, you will need to have two keyboards. The one currently in use, and the one that will take its place when it is time to clean the keyboard. Realistically, you will not use the washed keyboard for at least a month as it must be thoroughly dry in all the electronics before reusing.

To begin, turn the computer off. The computer should not be running. Then carefully disconnect the keyboard from where it plugs into the back of the computer. I say carefully as there is a small plastic guide piece in the connector, you do not want to break this off. Then plug in the replacement keyboard by lining up the guide piece and pins. Never force the connector in as you may break the guide and bend the pins.

Now take the grungy keyboard, and fill the bathtub with enough warm water to cover it while it is lying flat. (If there are things growing in it, you will want to remove those first.) Add a squirt of dish liquid after the water has been added. Keyboards don’t need bubble baths. With the keypad side down, swish the keyboard around in the water to help remove dirt and what have you that has fallen under the keys. Then, with the keypad side up, allow it to soak for 15 to 20 minutes. You will probably have to weight it down as they tend to float. A full shampoo bottle will make a handy weight.

Once it has soaked for a bit, once take a stiff bristled scrubbing brush and while holding it at an angle, scrub the keyboard. You will want to angle the brush so that it reaches into the top, bottom, and sides of the keys. In all I do four passes over the keys with each pass focused on one side of the key set. Then scrub the rest of it.

When you are done scrubbing, once again turn the keyboard over with the keypad side down and swish it around to remove any dirt that has been loosened under the keys. Then thoroughly rinse the keyboard to remove any traces of the dish soap and drain well.

Now, even though the keyboard has drained, it is not dry enough to use. I store the cleaned keyboard for a minimum of a month in an area that has good air flow, to ensure the internal electronics have had the opportunity to dry out completely. Then when the keyboard that is in use becomes grungy, I have one to replace it with.

So, the next time you take a look and decide it is time to be cleaning your keyboard, give this method a try.

Warmest regards,

SherryD