Alcohol and keyboards dont mix - how do i clean the sticky keys?

Doosht · 19 Dec 2009 at 22:07

As title really. Ive bought a used laptop that has a keyboard problem.
Ive sussed whats wrong already. Someones spilt some kind of booze on it and all the keys are sticky from the sugar. Is there a way of cleaning it? Could i soak it in something overnight etc?

Any help appreciated

alex24 · 19 Dec 2009 at 22:10

Remove the keyboard (and indeed individual keys if possible) and clean with a small amount of warm water on a cloth. If the keys are still attached, have it slightly damp, otherwise you can go to town on each key when they're unclipped.

Water should get rid of alcohol if it's a bit warm and with some patience, whilst not damaging the plastic keys or lettering.

TheTard · 19 Dec 2009 at 22:11

I would suggest cleaning with a damp cloth because as you know, liquids and keyboards don't really mix. i really dont think you could soak it in anything, just wipe it a few times with a damp cloth, let it dry and repeat, then see how things go from there.

marc512 · 19 Dec 2009 at 22:20

lick it clean

alex24 · 19 Dec 2009 at 22:20

marc512 said:
lick it clean

Outstanding. Simply inspired, a great idea. Why let it go to waste?!

/sarcasm

ns400r · 19 Dec 2009 at 22:55

Soak it in distilled water for a while. Shake off the excess before drying with a hair dryer. Try not to overheat the keyboard while drying.

maddness · 19 Dec 2009 at 23:13

what keyboard is it? might be worth chucking away if its a cheapo

Doosht · 19 Dec 2009 at 23:27

Its a laptop keyboard not a £2 desktop jobbie from a ~cough~ competitor.

jimmy321 · 20 Dec 2009 at 00:45

Baby wipes are good.

SlugForAButt · 20 Dec 2009 at 02:27

marc512 said:
lick it clean

Practical, efficient yet tasty!

That has to be the top tip of the day...

ejr22 · 20 Dec 2009 at 02:32

It could have been squash or juice. The fact that you are convinced it is booze makes me think that it was you who made the spillage.

Do as others have suggested and use warm water to clean it. Oh, and do be more careful next time.

Doosht · 20 Dec 2009 at 08:15

ejr22 said:
It could have been squash or juice. The fact that you are convinced it is booze makes me think that it was you who made the spillage.

Do as others have suggested and use warm water to clean it. Oh, and do be more careful next time.

Ive just bought it!

death_looms · 20 Dec 2009 at 14:45

Something happened to me recently (logitech dinivo). Batteries out, taken apart, under the shower to make sure it's totally clean, dry it for a least a week, and this text is evidence that it can live again!

Redgie · 20 Dec 2009 at 14:50

To remove sticky keys press shift 4 times

...

Vision · 20 Dec 2009 at 14:52

marc512 said:
lick it clean

Lol

PGdude · 20 Dec 2009 at 14:58

Warm damp cloth.

I've once removed every single key from my keyboard, dumped it in a bucket, and sloshed in some warm water+dish washing liquid. Stirred, and there's some significantly less sticky, less greasy, less dirty keys.