Do you wash your new keycaps after receiving it?

[Austin Powers]

I always wanted to ask this but afraid some people would say "it's a pointless thread".I'm sure out there, there's someone curious about this. So here it goes, do you put them on straight away or having patience to clean it and wait it to dry?

[meiosis]

I dunk them in rubbing alcohol for a few minutes and let them dry for an hour in the sun.


Imagine where the other persons hands have been >.<

[rowdy]

Generally not.

Nearly all sets and individual key caps I get are new, and I tend to trust the sender.

[The_Beast]

If they are from a GB, no.

If they're from another member, I soak them in warm soapy water for an hour shaking them once to twice and then let them air dry. Akimbo says to put them in a pillow  case and throw them in the dryer on low to speed up the process, but I've never been that impatient to put on a set of caps.

Somtimes I'll soak them over night if they are really dirty (like a used model M's caps seem to be)

[darkfire32]

For a new set of keys, I wash them in warm soapy water and then air dry. Then I take paper towel with isopropyl alcohol and rub each keycap. Its not that I don't trust the sender, I don't really trust the manufacturing process. Plus, I'm a biology student so I can get paranoid about small details regarding germs.

Its still not as bad as when I received an old, used model M. Washed them with soap and water, left them in the soap water overnight, then clean with isopropyl alcohol. Repeat three times.

[meiosis]

For a new set of keys, I wash them in warm soapy water and then air dry. Then I take paper towel with isopropyl alcohol and rub each keycap. Its not that I don't trust the sender, I don't really trust the manufacturing process. Plus, I'm a biology student so I can get paranoid about small details regarding germs.

Its still not as bad as when I received an old, used model M. Washed them with soap and water, left them in the soap water overnight, then clean with isopropyl alcohol. Repeat three times.

My god, ever since I finished my biochem series I can't stand leaving food out even for 30 minutes.. I get OCD of germs at the microscopic level as well as scratches.. Wash my hands like 10 times a day >.<

[bahamot]

How bout second hand keyboard?

[dragonxx21]

I didn't wash my new key caps as they were... well... new.

[cactux]

Yes I do. I use acetone to make sure that all the bacterias are gone lol

[bueller]

I work in IT, my body is impervious to germs picked up off of keyboards. Got sick constantly the first couple of years though 

[SoniStreet]

OP, I assume you mean second hand? Because I just ordered dark greys from WASDKEYBOARDS and they are factory-new, so there is no way I would need to clean them. it really sounds like you mean someone has used your keycaps, which in it's self doesn't really sound new.

[terran5992]

Nope.avi

[oaklandishh]

Not unless they look nasty. Think of all the little children in third world countries who are rolling in trash for fun and growing up fine. I think I will be  find  from a little second hand key cap usage.

[bueller]

Not unless they look nasty. Think of all the little children in third world countries who are rolling in trash for fun and growing up fine. I think I will be  find  from a little second hand key cap usage.

Yeah my sister is one of those people that washes their hands constantly and uses that purell ****, consequently she has no immune system and is sick CONSTANTLY.

[Austin Powers]

OP, I assume you mean second hand? Because I just ordered dark greys from WASDKEYBOARDS and they are factory-new, so there is no way I would need to clean them. it really sounds like you mean someone has used your keycaps, which in it's self doesn't really sound new.

Thick PBT produced my imsto are counted as second hand keycaps?

I'm new to this though. I forgot to add in "how to wash thick pbt keycaps". Some plastic material resists certain chemical. Tried googling them but can't find them.

[RabRhee]

Fit them onto the keyboard, then immerse the whole thing in 2 feet of cold water with bleach in, making sure its connected to the PC and powered up so all that cleaning electricity can swill around.

[cactux]

What does not kill you makes you stronger.

[cactux]

.

[cactux]

.

[phoenix1234]

Yes, I do generally.
It is because not only I need to clean bacteria but also I need to have the keycap shinier.
Usually, I dip the keycaps in dishwasher soap for about 30 minutes before I wash and clean them with a small toothbrush.

[SpAmRaY]

So far I've only washed used keycaps. I just put them in hot soapy water for a while, scrub a little bit and rinse a few times then throw them in a sock and tie a knot in it and put it in the dryer on low for a bit. 

[fohat.digs]

I always wash keycaps from second-hand boards.

Pull them off, mix a spoonful of powdered laundry detergent (I like Charlie's) and a spoonful of Oxi-Clean (or Biz) in a liter of hot water and soak for 20-30 minutes. Rinse several times (at least 3) in a wire strainer or colander.

I lay out a T-shirt on the bed, and "sling" each key once to throw the water out of the underside, and toss it aside. Within another 20-30 minutes they are dry and ready to use.

This is enough to perfectly clean 99% of any keys I have ever gotten, and I avoid heat.

[MOZ]

Nah, I don't clean them. I have a rock-solid immune system, eating of street food laced with unimaginable amounts of germs, dust and what not.

[quake4mhg]

Yes yes. I wash at least 2 times, first with Lysol, second time with liquid detergent. No matter where I get it.

[metalliqaz]

Of course not, why on earth would anyone do that?

[Game Theory]

Surprisingly enough for me, IT person who always washes hands after touching someone elses keyboard, no except for when getting a complete keyboard (from ebay).  I guess I just do not want a dumpster dived keyboard.  Never thought about it getting second hand key caps.

[jonathanyu]

I don't wash my caps when I receive it, expect one time there was a insect in the bag with the keycaps

[SoniStreet]

I don't wash my caps when I receive it, expect one time there was a insect in the bag with the keycaps

But that only happens with green key caps, coze they are made in the jungle.

[rowdy]

I don't wash my caps when I receive it, expect one time there was a insect in the bag with the keycaps

But that only happens with green key caps, coze they are made in the jungle.

The green ones are not ripe yet - leave them for a while and they turn red.,

[noisyturtle]

Why would you do this? Real question, if they are factory direct what would washing them accomplish?

[mattics]

For a new set of keys, I wash them in warm soapy water and then air dry. Then I take paper towel with isopropyl alcohol and rub each keycap. Its not that I don't trust the sender, I don't really trust the manufacturing process. Plus, I'm a biology student so I can get paranoid about small details regarding germs.

Its still not as bad as when I received an old, used model M. Washed them with soap and water, left them in the soap water overnight, then clean with isopropyl alcohol. Repeat three times.

My god, ever since I finished my biochem series I can't stand leaving food out even for 30 minutes.. I get OCD of germs at the microscopic level as well as scratches.. Wash my hands like 10 times a day >.<

I am surprised you guys are ok with keyboards, mice and desks given the amount of germs all over them  )

But in all seriousness, is this not doing much more harm than good? Surely you are better off in the long run exposing yourself to harmless (or not very harmful) germs and letting your immune system get some "target practice" for when it needs to fight off what is potentially an illness? I hear that people who picked their nose (and eat it I presume) as a child (or still do as an adult) usually have a better immune system because of this.

Having said that I would 100% clean used keycaps though, just as I would shower every morning, or wash my hands after going to the toilet or otherwise getting them dirty. But just not 5 showers per day 

[SpAmRaY]

Why would you do this? Real question, if they are factory direct what would washing them accomplish?

Some people just like to clean everything and I suppose there could always be some dust or possible grease or oil residue depending on where they originate and also due to shipping etc.

[BliTzKiN]

OCD

[esoomenona]

I don't even clean dirty, used caps. I just put them in a Ziploc bag, and stick them in my box.

[Photoelectric]

Only second-hand caps by soaking them in soapy water.  No reason to go crazy, as living in large cities my whole life, there is no way to avoid exposure to viruses and common bacteria while leading a normal life.  Keycaps aren't any worse than public transportation support handles and rails, etc. 

[yearn4]

Yes yes. I wash at least 2 times, first with Lysol, second time with liquid detergent. No matter where I get it.

when i read this, i pictured you and ivanivanovich, side by side, cleaning keycaps together LOL

[MTManiac]

Fit them onto the keyboard, then immerse the whole thing in 2 feet of cold water with bleach in, making sure its connected to the PC and powered up so all that cleaning electricity can swill around.

same process, only I use acetone and bleach.

only buy pbt keys though, those silly abs melt away pretty quickly in that bath 

[CPTBadAss]

I toss my caps into a bowl of warm water and add denture tabs. Wait 20 minutes. Longer if they're really dirty. Then let them sit on a towel in front of a fan to dry. Do this for caps I've typed on for a while (clean all my daily drivers about once a month) and for secondhand caps I get. Caps from GBs I don't bother with until I get them dirty.

[tricheboars]

I toss my caps into a bowl of warm water and add denture tabs. Wait 20 minutes. Longer if they're really dirty. Then let them sit on a towel in front of a fan to dry. Do this for caps I've typed on for a while (clean all my daily drivers about once a month) and for secondhand caps I get. Caps from GBs I don't bother with until I get them dirty.

i have been wanting to try the denture tabs method. what brand do you go with? the thread on this site about the denture tabs had some whacked-ass sweedish denture tabs brand that doesnt exist in the US.

these tabs have a ton of chemicals in them and i just want to make sure i am not going to damage a set of WYSE and Model M caps that really need a good cleaning.

[Tarzan]

I toss my caps into a bowl of warm water and add denture tabs. Wait 20 minutes. Longer if they're really dirty. Then let them sit on a towel in front of a fan to dry. Do this for caps I've typed on for a while (clean all my daily drivers about once a month) and for secondhand caps I get. Caps from GBs I don't bother with until I get them dirty.

i have been wanting to try the denture tabs method. what brand do you go with? the thread on this site about the denture tabs had some whacked-ass sweedish denture tabs brand that doesnt exist in the US.

these tabs have a ton of chemicals in them and i just want to make sure i am not going to damage a set of WYSE and Model M caps that really need a good cleaning.

I use generic denture tabs from Giant or Safeway.  They do a good job, but some keycaps will need a bit of extra scrubbing with a paper towel or rag to remove built-up crud.

They may have a lot of chemicals, but if they're safe enough to use on dentures, I suspect they're not going to harm keyboard caps.  Plus, they leave them with a nice minty-fresh smell.   

[TheSoulhunter]

Nope!

[kenmai9]

Yeah. I received some dirty caps a while ago and was appalled that the user didn't even bother to rinse the keys once. No one wants another persons finger grime with their keys!!

[Hyde]

Yes yes. I wash at least 2 times, first with Lysol, second time with liquid detergent. No matter where I get it.

when i read this, i pictured you and ivanivanovich, side by side, cleaning keycaps together LOL

LOL indeed IvanIvanovich was Lysol.  Haha this made my day.

And no I never clean my keycaps, I only get keycaps new or from group buy which is also new.  It didn't cross my mind about the factory germs because otherwise you have to clean every new keyboard/mouse that you buy.

[morflleh]

i clean it with wet wipes only

[Dansor]

Hmm... I never even thought of that up until now.

But now that you mention it... ugh... all those disgusting microbes and adorable water bears on my 2 precious second-hand keycaps...

I need to find some lysol!

[pichu23]

If it's new then no. But if it's a buy from someone then yes.
But I tend to wash them before sending them out if I were to sell them.

[terrpn]

no............but i did stay at a holiday inn express

[scruffles]

I lick them.

[Grim Fandango]

Only when they are second hand. If the sender tells me they are clean / barely used etc. then I do not bother.

[phetto]

I never wash my clacks, too scared