My only concern with such a method is if a denture cleaning tab is abrasive.
It's probably a lot less damaging than putting them in the dishwasher.
I blame the Germans.
Any mechanical interaction required? Cleaning keys with a sponge is a really cumbersome and time-consuming task. 2.40 for several keyboards sounds like a good deal, I might want to try this.
-huha
4 Life brand... condoms
this looks like an easy way to do them in bulk.
I may try cleaning the doubleshots I bought from Kishy with a combined solution of:
1 part Simple Green
1 Denture Tablet
1 TB Oxyclean
But on that other site that must not be mentioned I think they've one upped us all.
The numpad "+" still has a mark on it because that's actually been written on with a marker. It looks like it smudged though, so prolonged exposure may loosen it up even more.
This thread is very inspiring. Just ebay'd a $18 Dell AT101W, I'll try this cleaning method when it gets here.
I hope they used that carefully. I've heard stories of people putting their hands in ultrasonic cleaners like that and having their finger joints damaged. No point having clean keycaps if you can't type any more.
(dishwashers scare me)
Well, as long as you have a good method of removing the keycaps (which is known to be a sort of a pain and even potentially dangerous to the switches)
Remind me not to eat at your house, bud :madgrin:
I would dust it with a feather duster, use a Lysol wipe or spray some Windex on a paper towel and wipe it off. I wouldn't put the body under water by any means. You could wash the case under water or in the dishwasher, though.
Regarding the guide: I had the first failure with the method the other day, I guess these keycaps are beyond hope. Gave them 3 cleanings and one with another cleaner. They are still damn dirty.
What kind of board / plastic? With some of the softer "standard" materials (ABS/PS?) the dirt seems to "dig into" the surface at times and can be almost impossible to remove completely.
At least if the dirt doesn't come off with fairly intensive cleaning, chances are it won't in actual use.
I used the "Kukident Active Plus" brand - which should be easily available in Europe. They came in at 2,40 Euros for 33 Tabs.
i always use the dishwasher for cleaning my keycaps.
Works extreemly well.
I place the keycaps in a cleaning bag to prevent them from wondering around.Show Image(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=3878&stc=1&d=1250691583)
they come out squeaky clean and never damaged any.
Sally 40 is actually 10-15% concentration. It's a weight vs volume thing IIRC. [/IMG]Guess you're right. (https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=http://www.pgproductsafety.com/productsafety/msds/beauty_care/Hair_Color/Clairol_Professional_Premium_Creme_40_Vol_Developer_(95595020).pdf) The MSDS actually says 7-13%. The MSDS is the same for all four levels of Creme, and it would seem the 40 has the highest concentration.
This denture stuff is a good find though. Only problem is that I'd be embarassed buying it.
If you really want to raise an eyebrow, try buying some denture cleaning tabs along with some condoms.
Sixty, I owe you, man. At least a hooker and booze.
+1 :-)
I figured adding pics was a good way to show appreciation. I've used denture tabs on other boards before, but none so nasty as this one.
(Daylight 'after' pic added to previous post).
Actually, I looked it up (http://www.dentist.net/dentureFAQ.asp)and the chemical ingredients look pretty safe but I'd still be careful with vintage black keys.
I wonder if Mr. Clean® Magic Eraser® can be safely used on keycaps. Or would the micro-abrasive and mysterious chemicals damage the surfacing/finish layer (and inks, in the cases of printed or subliminated labels)?
anyone tried this with model m or f spring/flyplate assemblies?
i just did a set of model f keys and barrels; they came out fresh and minty :)
I finished cleaning all three of the really nasty eBay Cherry boards today.
I figured I would share some more results of the denture tabs:Show Image(http://t.oomuch.info/src/1251452830535.jpg)Show Image(http://t.oomuch.info/src/1251452867780.jpg)
The only brand i seem to be able to find here in Sweden is ProFast Super RengöringstabletterI found a pack of "Corega" "3 Minutes" tabs at Ica Kvantum (Swedish convenience store). 66 tabs for 55 SEK.
How many should i use?2 or 3 should be fine
That is for approximately how many caps? Im gonna do a spring clean for everythingHow many should i use?2 or 3 should be fine
That is for approximately how many caps? Im gonna do a spring clean for everythingHow many should i use?2 or 3 should be fine
I use Dawn dishwashing liquid to clean my IBM keycaps.. works great.
I use Dawn dishwashing liquid to clean my IBM keycaps.. works great.
i'm not sure if it was Dawn, but I've had issues with dish soap leaving a residue.
A disappointment so far. I've run through three rounds and either my keycaps are too dirty, or I'm doing something wrong.if its too dirty you might want to use a toothbrush with dish washing soap and scrub them gently before you soak them with denture tab water.
Round zero. One half of a dirty Alps doubleshot set, hot water and some cheap denture-cleaning powder (Alpa, €1.5 for 150 g). Expected it to be only slower (over night). After 8 hours, I had to remove dirt by hand. Okay, check ingredients first next time.
Round one. The other half of that doubleshot set, hot water and two blend-a-dent tabs (€6.5 for 60 tabs). Water went blue and foamy for about 30 minutes, as described in the OP. Still had to remove dirt residue manually. Maybe too much water or too few tabs.
Round two. A full PBT dyesub set, just barely enough warm water and six blend-a-dent tabs. Reaction as expected. After 30 minutes, I still had to remove dirt residue by hand.
if its too dirty you might want to use a toothbrush with dish washing soap and scrub them gently before you soak them with denture tab water.Nah, that defeats the whole point of using denture tabs.
This denture tab thing just saved me so much work. My HHKB caps were getting a little dingey after maybe 9 months of use, and now they look totally new -- and I didn't scrub a thing.
but having since typed on them, I think another cleaning would be a good idea before dunking them in the dye.
but having since typed on them, I think another cleaning would be a good idea before dunking them in the dye.
They must be absolutely clean before going into the dye bath. Even traces of skin oil will ruin your job.
Also put them in a mesh bag (like what fruit or potatoes come in) and throw them in the top rack of your dishwasher. Almost zero work and gets them very very clean.