Dirty Keyboard(question)

[Cannonfury]

My keyboard is dirty and I was wondering is it ok if i unhook it and wash the keyboard part in the shower or sink?


keeping the cord itself not in the water.


I have cleaned the keys before by taking them off, but the inside stays dirty and there are little places where i cannot reach, that have crums.

[CaptainGreenGene]

Don't put electronic equipment under water. That is a good rule to follow. Take the keys off and use a vacuum to get the crumbs out then take Q tips and use alcohol on the tips to remove any debris that is stuck. Allow it to dry then replace the keys. If you have a can of compressed air you can blow some of the crumbs out with that.

[Cannonfury]

Thanks a lot!! I'll do it in the morning when I'm not on pirates

[jason davy]

Aye, compressed air works well for me.

[Machazzard]

Well, while compressed air is useful, I like to completely move food away from the keyboard. LOL.

[swashbuckler II]

yeah, compressed air + keyboard = good
Water + electricity = bad

[League]

I've used a vacuum hose as well with the computer unplugged. When I saw this thread, I was so pepped to bring up compressed air, only to be beat by practically everyone. I'm a zero.

[Dr. Zeppers]

Although it is not recommended, I have washed my keyboard in the sink a couple of times due to beverages being spilled in volume onto them. Each time I did it I was prepared to replace the keyboard should my process fail.

Each time I did so, not only was the keyboard disconnected from the PC, but I also partially disassembled the keyboard to make sure that if I was going through all this trouble that I did get it cleaned up, and provided ample circulation to make sure it was dry.

Yes, electricity and water are bad, BUT the keyboard would not be plugged into the computer while you were cleaning it, so no electricity is involved during this period.
As long as you make sure all parts are THOROUGHLY dry before reassembly, and before plugging it back in, it should still continue to work, and without any sticky keys

Do understand that in taking apart a keyboard, emersing it in water, and drying it 'could' result in requiring a replacement. But it also 'can' be done.

New keyboards can usually be obtained for around $15, wouldnt hurt to have an extra 'just in case' should you try to do something like this.

For most users I would recommend the methods prior posters here offered, but it 'can' be done.

Im not sure about others here, but I have been a computer technician in the healthcare industry for over 15 years. What damages a keyboard in this respect is moisture WHILE being powered up or the individual physically damaging it or a component somewhere during the process.

For younger folks, I would definately not pursue this option without parental consent and supervision.

I would probably only look into this option, if the alternative is replacing the keyboard. I've had to fix some seriously messed up keyboards from beverage spillage in both my home, and business setting.
Not all keyboards are $15 keyboards.
Sometimes trying something like this is better than buying a new $80 keyboard.
When they are real bad, it wouldnt hurt to try it.

Saved myself a couple of expensive keyboards that would have otherwise required replacing this way.