What is the best way to clean the gunk off my computer keyboard?
but before you do that, I recommend that you unplug the keyboard, take it outside and turn it upside down and shake it for a while–back and forth, side to side, shake all the stuff down from one end to the other, then turn it upside down–flip it back to the right side, and do it again, a couple of times. You’ll be amazed at how much loose stuff falls out. That’ll limit the mess that could occur with the can of compressed air. I also ran into a keyboard at work the other day (I’m the go-to person for computers when the IT person isn’t around) where someone had dripped lollypop juice on a key or two. I used a paperclip and an alcohol wipe to get between the keys and de-stickify them. It worked like a charm–and then I proceeded to run it between all the keys, and on top of all the keys (a clean one, not the lolly-popped one!) and the keyboard performance improved a whole bunch. You can also use a bunch of Q-tips and rubbing alcohol for that–but I had the wipes handy at work, and the f
the great news, keyboards don’t cost much. Obviously, you know NOT to eat over/by/around your computer. Your problem may be from a little one, but that’s OK, I make it a game with my 4 year old granddaughter. I say, “gotta keep grandpa’s computer clean, and if she gets a crumb on it, it’s an “oh no”, all in fun”. She thinks it’s a game, I just shake my keyboard out daily!!! The good news is that most keyboards of quality have a plastic ’shield’ under the keys for just such a thing. I learned the hard way, a knocked over cup of hot coffee with cream and sugar does wonders for electronics! To answer your question. • With your computer off, unplug your keyboard • Turn your Keyboard almost upside down, and rap, rap, rap it several times on a desk, knowing full well that it will spill it’s contents all over. NOT so hard it causes keys to fly, but not too light, than nothing falls out. • Next, turn it completely upside down, and shake it hard. It will continue to rain stuff. • Now, turning i
The reason that pure alcohol is good is that it is non abrasive. Whenever you work with Computers, you must remember that they are delicate instruments and that anything abrasive can severely damage the internal electronics. Also, water is a no-no unless its a damp cloth that won’t affect electronics – water (at least regular chlorinated tap water) is a good conductor of electricity, and can therefore damage your equipment. Alcohol evaporates instantly, and has a good success rate at removing stuff (it is a universal solvent). It is also non-abrasive and can be used as a spray. (a damp cloth that lightly touches the keys won’t damage a regular keyboard) Its best to unplug first. Another way of doing it, is to unscrew the keyboard, and wash the keys, leaving the electronic section aside. This is more difficult and requires some technical experience. I wouldn’t do this unless you know what you’re doing. Best to let a technician handle the keyboard gunk. These days, keyboards are really i
