Do you wash your new keycaps after receiving it?

[rowdy]

I never wash my clacks, too scared

Should be fine - just don't use acetone!

[iri]

I'm a biology student so I can get paranoid about small details regarding germs.

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 >.<

you both need a good holiday trip across india!

[fohat.digs]

I'm a biology student so I can get paranoid about small details regarding germs.

Sometimes you just have to let things go.

Until a century and a half ago, the human race had no idea that germs existed at all. "Surgeons" performed their operations such as amputations and blood-letting without washing their hands or their instruments. There was a communal cup at the well that everyone drank from. Bathing was a weekly/monthly/annual event. Refrigeration was unheard-of. Yes, people died young and mortality rates were high (what the heck does that mean, anyway? the "mortality rate" has always been 100% and always will be).

Not to say that you should not be clean and careful, but how many billions of germs are swarming on your skin right now, and how many do you suck in with every breath you take?

And not to mention "social" activities such as shopping, public transportation, meetings, any team or spectator sport, having sex, or any manual labor .....

There is no "iron-clad" immune system, but keeping your body healthy, strong, and fit is generally the best defense, because we are programmed/evolved to resist the pathogens in our environment.

[terran5992]

So washing is better than not washing?

[Tarzan]

I think it depends on the seller.  If the keycaps are in good condition, seem clean, and I'm comfortable using them myself, then I don't bother washing them.

However, getting a set off of some eBay find is always dodgy, there I usually drop them in hot water with denture tabs as a matter of course.

So washing is better than not washing?

[CPTBadAss]

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 just went to Walgreens and got the cheapest tabs I could find. If its meant to go on dentures which go in your mouth, I assume its fine for your fingers and caps. You won't damage anything. I've cleaned literally every cap set I own with them: Model M, SP caps, Cherry caps, Imsto PBT caps, everything.

[Dansor]

I'm making my new policy -
    New keycaps - rinse in warm water just to remove chemicals
    Old keycaps that are visibly grimy - use wipes to clean.
    Old keycaps that look clean - roll around in my mouth for a couple minutes to enhance my immune system with foreign germs and someday gain superpowers

Laugh now, but when I'm King of the Germs, you will be singing a different tune.

[phetto]

People are just exaggerating, why would anyone clean new keycaps, thats a really strange behaviour. Are you guys cleaning your hands after shaking hands with someone as well?

[SpAmRaY]

People are just exaggerating, why would anyone clean new keycaps, thats a really strange behaviour. Are you guys cleaning your hands after shaking hands with someone as well?

Doesn't everybody?? 

[phetto]

Dont be scared of germs. I havent had a cold ever, or anything really. Just because I was raised with the belief that a little bit of germs is good for you and increases you immune system. It worked out really well.

[Dansor]

http://www.livescience.com/10601-germs-good.html

However, and I'm not making a judgement call here, it's entirely possible that the "Keyboard Enthusiast" set and the "OCD Handwasher" set have more than the statistically expected overlap.

[SpAmRaY]

Dont be scared of germs. I havent had a cold ever, or anything really. Just because I was raised with the belief that a little bit of germs is good for you and increases you immune system. It worked out really well.

I don't get sick either, just the occasional sinus/allergy type junk.

My kids on the other hand.....they get sick fairly regularly.

[Ch0nG]

New keycaps? No, since they're new I don't see a need to clean them. I haven't bought used keycaps (yet) but I'd probably just clean them with a wipe before first use (unless they were really dirty).

As for keycaps I currently have, I clean them when they start to look dirty. Throw each row in it's own bucket of water and a denture/retainer cleaner tab overnight and dry them completely with a soft towel or via air if I have time. I'm currently repairing my DasKeyboard, I just pulled the (dirty!) keys last night and am letting them soak today in the water/denture cleaner mix. Hopefully they'll be nice and minty fresh tomorrow. 

[rowdy]

People are just exaggerating, why would anyone clean new keycaps, thats a really strange behaviour. Are you guys cleaning your hands after shaking hands with someone as well?

Doesn't everybody?? 

Perhaps we should all just wear rubber gloves to shake hands.

[tp4tissue]

Dont be scared of germs. I havent had a cold ever, or anything really. Just because I was raised with the belief that a little bit of germs is good for you and increases you immune system. It worked out really well.

I don't get sick either, just the occasional sinus/allergy type junk.

My kids on the other hand.....they get sick fairly regularly.

They have more vectors for disease infection than you do. as they are in a crowded environment and they can't shut up ever...

That is the main difference.

[Dansor]

Hmmm... You've piqued my curiosity.
There are a number if obvious, but still interesting, reasons children get sick more often than adults.

For others who enjoy over-analyzing things: http://www.childrensoscillo.com/features/healthy-kids/

[tbc]

there are EXCEPTIONALLY few real germaphobes out there.  most people are actually washing their hands to clean the dirt/oil.

if nothing else, wash your hands to respect other people before you shake their hand/touch their stuff.

[iri]

I havent had a cold ever

only flu?

[hazeluff]

Not new keys. I'd be comfortable eating off them or rubbing them against my private parts.

Washed keys i pulled from an old keyboard I bought tho, but then again that's not 'new'.

[SpAmRaY]

Not new keys. I'd be comfortable eating off them and then rubbing them against my private parts.

hopefully in that order haha!

[rowdy]

Not new keys. I'd be comfortable eating off them or rubbing them against my private parts.

Rowdy makes a mental note not to buy any key caps from hazeluff.

[Pacifist]

So put the keys in denture stuff and then dry em out?

I like the  keys to be really pretty when I use em

[rowdy]

So put the keys in denture stuff and then dry em out?

I like the  keys to be really pretty when I use em

Yes.

There are lots of threads about it (probably).  I use 3 denture tabs in warm water, drop the tabs in and let the fizz up until the water turns blue.  Drop the keycaps in, make sure they are all under the water, then leave them until the water turns clear (or turns brown, depending on how dirty they are).  Drain the water.  I like to t\rinse them in cold water before laying them out to dry, on newspaper is good.  I tend to leave them for a couple of days, but as long as they are dry you should be good to put them back on the keyboard.

[Zeal]

No, never thought about washing my keycaps. Then again, I'm still fairly new to GH and haven't bought any second hand caps yet

[fohat.digs]

newspaper is good.  I tend to leave them for a couple of days, but as long as they are dry you should be good to put them back on the keyboard.

If you sling the water out of them by hand, they dry in minutes. A T-shirt spread out on the bed works well, does not have to be a clean one, for me at least.

[Reomero]

No, never thought about washing my keycaps. Then again, I'm still fairly new to GH and haven't bought any second hand caps yet

"yet"

[Pacifist]

Getting some second hand caps in the mail.

Gonna have to find some denture cleaning stuff

[tormentor]

I didn't even think about this. I just started and the few caps I've bought were new or from group buys. I can see what you mean for used ones though.

[Pacifist]

How good is efferdent to clean them? And If I'm just cleaning ~25 keys, do I need 3 tabs or just one? I dug around the house and only found one tab

[rowdy]

Getting some second hand caps in the mail.

Gonna have to find some denture cleaning stuff

Most supermarkets or chemists should sell it.

How good is efferdent to clean them? And If I'm just cleaning ~25 keys, do I need 3 tabs or just one? I dug around the house and only found one tab

I use 2 tabs for a full 104 set.  One should suffice for only 25 keys.

Try it - it is all you have now anyway.  If it really doesn't work (unlikely) then you can always go and buy a box of tabs.

[fohat.digs]

Powdered laundry detergent (with a bit of Oxi-Clean optional) in hot water works great and is easy and cheap.

[mauri]

No, germs are good for you, I'm building a resistance for all the illnesses in the world and become a superero

[infiniti]

I got my CC 3D second hand.  His name is Bob.  He likes bubble baths.



Note: The bubble bath uses a no tears formula.

[rowdy]

I got my CC 3D second hand.  His name is Bob.  He likes bubble baths.

Show Image

Note: The bubble bath uses a no tears formula. ;)

I actually LOLed over this :))

[justnits]

the first time i use my keycool 87 directly from china, i had severe itch all over my body. i didn't noticed it until after a few minutes into using it, i've been scratching my arms, body and neck.
then it occurred to me that ever since i touch this new keyboard, i've been doing it. so i just took them keycaps off and soak them in a basin of water and i poured in some shower gel. i leave them there to soak in while i took alcohol-free baby wipes and wipe the rest of the board. after i'm done with that, i went back to the caps in soap water and give each caps a good rub. then i rinse them, dry them off with towel and blow them dry with a blower. tada~ no more itchiness

i recently got another keyboard from china, ikbc f-104, it comes with a set of free vortex doubleshot pbt keycaps as well. instantly i felt hints of itchiness building up on me again, so off to the water basin they go! (except the keyboard, it gets baby wiped)

so from now on, all my keycaps have to get baptised first before joining into the keyboard family

[tricheboars]

the first time i use my keycool 87 directly from china, i had severe itch all over my body. i didn't noticed it until after a few minutes into using it, i've been scratching my arms, body and neck.
then it occurred to me that ever since i touch this new keyboard, i've been doing it. so i just took them keycaps off and soak them in a basin of water and i poured in some shower gel. i leave them there to soak in while i took alcohol-free baby wipes and wipe the rest of the board. after i'm done with that, i went back to the caps in soap water and give each caps a good rub. then i rinse them, dry them off with towel and blow them dry with a blower. tada~ no more itchiness

i recently got another keyboard from china, ikbc f-104, it comes with a set of free vortex doubleshot pbt keycaps as well. instantly i felt hints of itchiness building up on me again, so off to the water basin they go! (except the keyboard, it gets baby wiped)

so from now on, all my keycaps have to get baptised first before joining into the keyboard family

this guy is allergic to chinese

[Fullcream]

Washing new key caps seems a bit over kill to me, unless you're like "justnits" with the China itch thing. I have always washed keycaps from second hand keyboards. Besides getting the germs off, it somehow makes me feel as if now the keyboard is TRULY mine and I possess it.

[darkfire32]

In addition to germs, you got to make sure that there's no residual semen stains on second-hand keyboards/caps. I don't know about other people here, but I only want my semen to stain my keyboard.

[Pacifist]

So I washed it the way rowdy said.

Only difference is I put the keys on some paper towels

[rowdy]

In addition to germs, you got to make sure that there's no residual semen stains on second-hand keyboards/caps. I don't know about other people here, but I only want my semen to stain my keyboard.

Makes a mental note to NEVER buy keycaps from darkfire32.

[Dubsgalore]

You can ask my early friends on GH, i had some serious beef with used good on GH
used keycaps? eww....
Even with the idea of cleaning them, that grossed me out

but then i tried cherry ds...i immediately got over it, and immediately realized it didn't really matter as long as they got a good clean

doesn't mean i still go after NIB boards and new-er caps..

i do not mind used julysicles either 

[YMSNoms]

Normally smash mine in a cold dish washer wash in a little fruit box that is like a plastic cage works well

[rowdy]

You can ask my early friends on GH, i had some serious beef with used good on GH
used keycaps? eww....
Even with the idea of cleaning them, that grossed me out

but then i tried cherry ds...i immediately got over it, and immediately realized it didn't really matter as long as they got a good clean

doesn't mean i still go after NIB boards and new-er caps..

i do not mind used julysicles either 

I also would not mind used Julysicles - if anyone has any that they would like to give me

[Dubsgalore]

Hehehe tell me man if you find anyone

[SNF]

Would thick topre PBT caps be safe to wash?  What's the best method?

And does cleaning them occasionally, prevent shine/wear?