A B N A Vets Forum The Tools of the Trade

So, my keyboard is so dusty and dirty that the keys stick. I heard you can put keyboards in the dishwasher and clean them. You have to let them dry for about five days afterward, and you don't want to put them through the heat-dry cycle (well, obviously). My sons tell me that none of this is a good idea, but if I have to either pry all the keys off and clean under them and then try to reassemble, or buy a new keyboard, the dishwasher is beginning to look like a brilliant choice.

Anyone got anything to say about this crucial question? I have a standard Mac keyboard, btw--not one of those fancy ones with headlights that drives itself to the stationery store and picks up chicken on the way home.

Have you tried compressed air?  Not only does it get all that gunk out from under the keys, but it's FUN to use!  You'll be surprised with all the stuff that comes out.

Sounds saner than the dishwasher, I guess. Can I rent one of those things or do I have to buy one? Do I need to have one around the house for any other reason?

I think shlafe's talking about the stuff in cans -- about 4 or 5 bucks a can at the office supply places.  It can handle dust, but not anything sticky.

My oldest son sometimes takes a q-tip soaked in rubbing alcohol to our keyboards.That works well for stuff on the surface and between the keys, but it's a bit of a tedious job, and uses up a lot of q-tips.

I've heard of the dishwasher thing, but I wouldn't have the guts to try it.

*laugh*  Thanks, Leah.  Yes, the stuff in hand-held cans.  :)

The air-in-a-can thing really works.  My sister did the dishwasher trick, and the thing never worked well again.