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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: ravenomega on Mon, 07 July 2014, 06:19:49

Title: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: ravenomega on Mon, 07 July 2014, 06:19:49

Hey guys I'm new here. I've read that it is safe to use denture tabs to clean my key caps. Does it matter what Denture Tabs I use on my Ducky ABS key caps? Is there a certain brand i should get or are they all the same?

Title: Re: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: jalaj on Mon, 07 July 2014, 07:34:56

Probably similar active ingredient. You can use generic brand. Always try first on just a single keycap to be safe.

Title: Re: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: ravenomega on Mon, 07 July 2014, 07:41:17

Thanks for the reply. How long should I leave them in for if I do it this way?

Title: Re: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: absyrd on Mon, 07 July 2014, 07:47:52

Yeah. Just use a generic brand. Leave them in as long as the directions say... which, iirc, is about until the bubbles stop fizzing.

Title: Re: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 07 July 2014, 15:17:49

I used a generic brand.

Warm water.

Let the tablet dissolve (I used 3 tablets for a full set).

Add keycaps and stir for a moment.

Leave it until the blue water turns clear (or brown, depending on how dirty the keycaps are).  That took about 5 minutes for me.

Rinse in fresh water (just in case - maybe my paranoia).

Spread keycaps out on newspaper or tea towels to dry.

Title: Re: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 08 July 2014, 17:45:23

I use powdered laundry detergent (plus and oxi-* for more power) in hot water and rinse at least 3 times.

Cheaper and easier, works great.

Title: Re: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Tue, 08 July 2014, 18:35:39

My new method has been oxi and coffee machine cleaner (sulfamic hydroxyacetic acid). It froths up like vinegar and baking soda and even takes off mild yellowing in only moments. You need to be careful with this though as it can burn your skin!

Title: Re: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: ravenomega on Wed, 09 July 2014, 11:13:44

Thanks guys! I think I'll try the denture tabs first before trying coffee machine cleaner XD It is interesting to see other ways of cleaning key caps though!

Title: Re: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: ndakota79 on Wed, 09 July 2014, 15:08:20

I'm using lens cleaner (ethanol & isopropanol) to wipe my PBTs clean. That doesn't affect them does it?

Title: Re: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: noisyturtle on Wed, 09 July 2014, 15:26:21

I've used Stain Away denture cleaner with good results. Better when you mix in a tsp of Oxiclean with it though.

Title: Re: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: Prelim on Thu, 17 July 2014, 16:48:50

what about Dishwashing Liquid like Fairy?

(http://www.strek-wholesale.com/img/uploaded/products/FAI003.jpg)

Title: Re: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 17 July 2014, 17:04:48

Quote from: Prelim on Thu, 17 July 2014, 16:48:50

what about Dishwashing Liquid like Fairy?

Show Image

(http://www.strek-wholesale.com/img/uploaded/products/FAI003.jpg)

Yes, that will work too.

Title: Re: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: ShawnMeg on Sat, 02 August 2014, 06:07:52

I always had good luck with hand soap diluted in water.  I've never tried the denture cleaning tablets.

Title: Re: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: skcheng on Sat, 02 August 2014, 11:21:41

I have a LARGE ultrasonic bath in my office and the denture cleaning tabs work great.  It's amazing how dirty caps can get.   And I like the fresh scent after the keycap bath.   I just dry on paper towels and paper plates since they're readily available in my office.

For pen and ink marks and DEEP stains, I'll rub with a little piece of Magic Eraser.   You can almost remove shine if you scrub a bit with the stuff.   

Title: Re: [Help] Question about key cap cleaning
Post by: terrpn on Sat, 02 August 2014, 16:02:49

Quote from: IvanIvanovich on Tue, 08 July 2014, 18:35:39

My new method has been oxi and coffee machine cleaner (sulfamic hydroxyacetic acid). It froths up like vinegar and baking soda and even takes off mild yellowing in only moments. You need to be careful with this though as it can burn your skin!

do you keep inside or put under outside in the sun too?