dirty (make that filthy) keyboard

15 years ago

My husband sits for a few hours in the morning at the computer with the cat in his lap. He casually eats and drinks (and dribbles) coffee while the cat gleefully sheds. The keyboard looks as if it's been through the wars.

Nothing just wipes off -- this stuff is glued on. If I spray a cleaner, or even plain water, on it, I'm afraid it will ruin the insides. (I tried that with the remote control for Dish TV and now have to use a different control to turn the thing on and adjust the volume, so I'm pretty gunny). I've read of people sticking their keyboards in the dishwasher. Could that possible work? It would be simpler to buy a new one, but it will be in the same condition in a few months.

I could really use some advice. The husband and cat are not disposable.

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Comments (7)

mikie_gw
15 years ago
Stick it in dishwasher,,, see what happens?
If it ruins it go buy a new one then buy a good brand of saran wrap & some duct tape to hold it over the keys.

Replace saran wrap as needed.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
15 years ago
you can buy clear plastic keyboard covers that fit right over the keys and you can still type fine, sounds like that is what you need. there are some blogs and articles about dishwashing keyboards, not sure I would try it on an expensive one but a cheap one I may. what I have read says to put only on top rack keys down with nothing else in dishwasher do not use soap and use only cold or lightly warm water not hot and no heat dry just air dry, to let it sit out on towels keys down for at least a week to dry before trying it to see if it works.
The dishwasher vs. your dirty computer keyboard

try a google search for clear plastic keyboard covers
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fruitjarfla
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Vacuum lightly without sucking keys into vacuum cleaner. Use a wrung out watered cloth with soap and clean keys and other surfaces. Next q-tip - watered and soaped - to get between keys. Last -- upside down washing with cloth -- more water and soap than first cleaning. Last - since cat and husband are not to be replaced, get a second computer -- but as mikie suggests, go for a new keyboard. Office Depot has a foldable water impervious keyboard for $23, a regular keyboard for $12, and a plastic covering for $18.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
15 years ago
I got one of those rubber roll up keyboards at Staples for $10, it would solve the problem of getting dirty since it is totally sealed in rubber, however I just could not type on the thing very well with my Arthritis, but it is handy to have around to travel with.
Unotron FlexiTuff Silent Washable Roll-up Keyboard

mine was blue.Like this one
USB 2.0 Silicone Roll Up Foldable PC Computer Keyboard - Blue -
dcarch7 d c f l a s h 7 @ y a h o o . c o m
15 years ago
1. Go to a place where they have high pressure (100 lbs) compressed air to blast all the dirt out. Auto repair shops may be able to help you out.

2. Then turn the keyboard upside down and use a little cleaner and water and a soft brush to clean as much as possible. and dry with a hair dryer on low heat.

3. You can buy a washable keyboard.

4. You can also get a new husband. :-)

dcarch
socks
15 years ago
I wipe mine down with a cotton ball soaked in alcohol. Then run between the keys with the sticky end of a post-it note to remove cat hair. Also turn upside down and rap hard on desk to make stuff fall out. Also, since kitty is involved, look at the underside of the mouse to check for cat hair.
mariend
15 years ago
Give your husband his own computer. We each have our own and it is good, especially when I screw mine up.

dirty (make that filthy) keyboard

Comments (7)

mikie_gw

ravencajun Zone 8b TX

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