Bulk key cleaning

[Hak Foo]

So I picked up another 1391401 at the thrift shop today (pics coming later) but I want to de-scunge it.

I removed all the keys (leaving ~105 silly little holes sticking springs out to mock me), and cleaned out the casing and "base" nicely, but now I've got 101 keys, some of which have dirt impacted.

I threw them all in a bag, and filled the back with hot water and soap.  Some help.  Rinsed and added some 70% alcohol-- no major help.  What next?  Is there any way I can wash them in bulk rather than spending three nights cleaning individually?

[kyamei]

I soak the keys in a rather concentrated mix of Simple Green and water, stirring every now and then.  Usually gets everything off.

[bigpook]

If the keys are really that dirty, then just let them soak over night. Simple green and water like kyamei mentioned will break the dirt down.

[Hak Foo]

I don't have Simple Green, but in the spirit of infomercial product love, I'm trying Oxi-Clean.  We'll see... man it turns the water grey, but wether it's key goo or just how the stuff works is another matter.

[bigpook]

: ) I have oxi-clean in a spray bottle. Thats some good stuff.

[Xuan]

I've cleaned two model M, and for the keys y left them in water with detergent for a while and then clened each one with a sponge.
It didn't take more than 15 minutes.

[twolf]

I let the keys soak in soapy water then dried the keys with a microfiber towel and they all came out good as new.

[Hyperion]

Oh man I took a few of the keys off my das ult the other day just to take a look at th cherry blues, but the caps were actually of a different size for each row. In the end it took me 20 minutes to figure out which ones went where. Lucky you have letters on your keys.
The key to cleaning anything really is to dissolve whatever you want to get off, then get something fast and strong to push the dissolved stuff off. Just soak the keys in something and then put them in a big bucket and stir really hard.

[Hak Foo]

No, Hyperion, the trick is to use a keyboard design where all the keys are the same shape, and the base provides the shaping.

[lowpoly]

Dishwasher FTW.

I put the keys in the cutlery basket and cover the compartments so the keys are not thrown out by the water jet.

I'll never clean keycaps by hand again.

[keyb_gr]

I'll never clean keycaps by hand again.

Seems like a smart decision, considering the factors of "hurting fingers" + "time spent" in my past keyboard cleaning...

Some folks also put the keycaps into some kind of sack which in turn goes into the washing machine.

I'm too impatient for this kind of cleaning method though. I usually can't wait until the respective machine is used next time (besides the dishwasher isn't too large to begin with), but rather want to start right now...

[lowpoly]

Some folks also put the keycaps into some kind of sack which in turn goes into the washing machine.

This might put mechanical stress on the caps though.

I'm too impatient for this kind of cleaning method though. I usually can't wait until the respective machine is used next time (besides the dishwasher isn't too large to begin with), but rather want to start right now...

Depends on how many keyboards you have cleaned already. I usually have a couple of 'boards lined up waiting for treatment.

And the dishwasher isn't too big as the case and cable usually go in as well. If it's a board I don't care about much then dishes are no problem either. Everything will get clean anyway.

[majestouch]

I'd second kyamei's tip with the simple green. That stuff cuts through oily caked on grime like nothing else and is safe on rubber and plastics in my experience. I would avoid other recommendations to use anything requiring hot water since different plastics have different melting points; water you can put your hands in is fine, but temperatures closer to boiling can be risky.

[lowpoly]

I'd second kyamei's tip with the simple green. That stuff cuts through oily caked on grime like nothing else and is safe on rubber and plastics in my experience. I would avoid other recommendations to use anything requiring hot water since different plastics have different melting points; water you can put your hands in is fine, but temperatures closer to boiling can be risky.

I dishwash at 55° Celsius. The only time I had problems with melting was the white case of an IBM/Ambra Model M clone. Model Ms do well at this temperature so this came as a surprise. No problems with keycaps so far.

[Hyperion]

Hey the Das' working temperature is 0-70 so if the cherrys are sealed and the case is seal I should theoretically be able to type on it in the washing machine.

[bigpook]

I put the top and bottom cases in the dishwasher but put the keys and caps in a bowl of soapy water.
I go so far as to use an old tooth brush to clean individual keys as needed. Its a one time deal for each keyboard but it is somewhat tedious. I have only had to do this for some of the model m's I have gotten off of ebay. Makes me wonder where some of them were being used.

[FKSSR]

Since dishwashers are hard to come by in NJ and NYC, I end up washing by hand..

I've never had keys too dirty, so I just soak them in hot water and dish soap over night and wash them with a sponge by hand.  It takes a while, but it's worked so far.

[Mikecase00]

Dishwasher FTW.

I put the keys in the cutlery basket and cover the compartments so the keys are not thrown out by the water jet.

I'll never clean keycaps by hand again.

Amen.  I put them in a mesh bag on the top rack (the kind used for running lingerie through the washing machine).  I do turn heated dry off though.  It's never failed, the keys come out nice and clean.

[xsphat]

Soak them in bleach. If that doesn't get them clean, throw the 'board away.