geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Viett on Mon, 06 July 2009, 19:45:16

Title: Inc Article: Clean your keyboard with a hair dryer
Post by: Viett on Mon, 06 July 2009, 19:45:16: Article (http://www.inc.com/ss/how-clean-your-keyboard?slide=0#0)

(http://www2.inc.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/preview/slideshows/09_5.jpg)

This article suggests many ways of cleaning a keyboard, including using a hair dryer. It's a pretty decent read, with ideas I don't think I would have ever thought of.
Title: Inc Article: Clean your keyboard with a hair dryer
Post by: timw4mail on Mon, 06 July 2009, 19:52:06: I'm surprised they recommend the dishwasher... Rubbing alcohol doesn't matter on dye-sublimated, or double-shot molded keycaps, correct?
Title: Inc Article: Clean your keyboard with a hair dryer
Post by: bitflipper on Mon, 06 July 2009, 20:02:04: Funny, bit-tech just did a keyboard cleaning article on the 5th of July:

http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/peripherals/2009/07/05/the-best-way-to-clean-your-keyboard/1
Title: Inc Article: Clean your keyboard with a hair dryer
Post by: timw4mail on Mon, 06 July 2009, 20:09:13: Quote from: ripster;101462
USB Vacuum cleaner, give me a break. Real men use these.

Show Image
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51TZTwKSI-L._SL500_AA280_.jpg)

Makes a great key remover too.

And I have a blower, no canned air for me :D
Title: Inc Article: Clean your keyboard with a hair dryer
Post by: Rajagra on Tue, 07 July 2009, 09:06:06: I wouldn't use canned air tipped over as suggested in the article. You can get a flexible PVC extension tube. This lets you keep the can upright and still while you scoot the extension nozzle around.

I see they even do an attachment to turn canned air into a vacuum (http://www.kenro.co.uk/product/TD122/2/1/Kenair+Dust+Vac+Attachment.html).

I was thinking that those sticky clothes rollers would be a good source of sticky tape for lifting crud. But good old gaffer/duct tape might be better. Is there anything it can't fix?

What is the obsession with using dishwashers? Is there something about how they work that is different to submerging in a bowl of water? I'd like to believe they limit how far water penetrates, but if you have a multi-layer membrane in your keyboard the water WILL get sucked between the layers and probably corrode the tracks. I recently repaired my G15 with just that kind of damage. It's shocking how poorly the tracks conduct even before damage. It doesn't take much to ruin them. And hydrophillic action sucks liquid between the membranes, if you leave an assembled keyboard to dry it could take months, not days.
Title: Inc Article: Clean your keyboard with a hair dryer
Post by: lowpoly on Tue, 07 July 2009, 09:14:39: Quote from: Rajagra;101517
What is the obsession with using dishwashers? Is there something about how they work that is different to submerging in a bowl of water? I'd like to believe they limit how far water penetrates, but if you have a multi-layer membrane in your keyboard the water WILL get sucked between the layers and probably corrode the tracks. I recently repaired my G15 with just that kind of damage. It's shocking how poorly the tracks conduct even before damage. It doesn't take much to ruin them. And hydrophillic action sucks liquid between the membranes, if you leave an assembled keyboard to dry it could take months, not days.

It's the same obsession that doesn't let me clean my dishes in a bowl of water.

I've dishwashed membranes. Removed them from the board of course and put crumpled paper between the foils afterwards so that they could dry properly. As for getting destroyed, usually they come from a rubber dome with little worth.
Title: Inc Article: Clean your keyboard with a hair dryer
Post by: lowpoly on Tue, 07 July 2009, 09:41:06: That was me. Still, if it works the parts look like new. I'm addicted to that.

And I wouldn't put everything in.
Title: Inc Article: Clean your keyboard with a hair dryer
Post by: rdjack21 on Tue, 07 July 2009, 10:48:52: Me I use simple green and warm water in a bowl. Then a good micro fiber lint free cloth for drying.
Title: Inc Article: Clean your keyboard with a hair dryer
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Wed, 08 July 2009, 23:48:25: I don't think I'll ever put my expensive keyboards in a dishwasher. This is why I keep my hands clean when I'm going to use my keyboards. At work, I have a second keyboard connected (rubber dome). If my hands get dirty due to the nature of my work, I use the rubber dome. From time to time, I also have to apply moisturiser. My skin cracked if I don't...unfortunately. I come from a very humid country and Canada's weather is just too dry for me.