best way to clean a coiled cable?

[bilbo3000]

Hi guys,
first - this is a great forum and this is my first post though I have read lots and lots of your posts. I already got addicted to the mechanical keyboards virus, too...

So one question today: What is the best way to clean a coiled keyboard cable? Often they are quite dirty but difficult to clean without missforming them. Even more so most of them are not detachable - even my IBM model M has a fixed connected cable.
Any ideas?

Cheers

[Oqsy]

I just wrap the board and connector ends in plastic bags and seal them off with rubber bands, etc.  Then fill yr sink with hot soapy water, and dangle the coiled cable into the water, let it soak in the suds.  After a good soak, take a wash cloth and gently rub along the cable with more warm sudsy water, rubbing off any stubborn crud.  Rinse and repeat.

Easier method: order a replacement cable and be done with it.

You're welcome.

[TexasFlood]

I just wrap the board and connector ends in plastic bags and seal them off with rubber bands, etc.  Then fill yr sink with hot soapy water, and dangle the coiled cable into the water, let it soak in the suds.  After a good soak, take a wash cloth and gently rub along the cable with more warm sudsy water, rubbing off any stubborn crud.  Rinse and repeat.

Easier method: order a replacement cable and be done with it.

You're welcome.

Sounds like a step I need, at least in some cases.

I usually take 1 or 2 large wet ones and put the cable through until the wet ones come aren't pulling any more filth off.  You can get the coils this way to, just need a little elbow grease.

This at least makes me feel like it's relatively sanitary but doesn't always get the thick heavy gook.  Soaking might be the added trick I need.  And much like key caps, I have a lot better feeling about the cleanliness after being soaked -and- wiped off.

[Lanx]

mr clean magic eraser? who knows it might bring back the white in that old keyboard. (i use the eraser on my walls and stuff)

[Rajagra]

I get good results filling a bucket with hot water and clothes washing detergent. Leave soaking overnight. Works for key caps and cables (suspend so the connectors stay dry.) It may not remove all the grime, but what remains is softened and wipes off easily with a cloth.

[Oqsy]

Dish soap, laundry detergent, oxy clean, simple green... any of them would work pretty well.  Just steer clear of solvents and bleach, as they're hard on the rubber and may cause it to tear or break open, making electrical shorts more likely.

[TexasFlood]

Dish soap, laundry detergent, oxy clean, simple green... any of them would work pretty well.  Just steer clear of solvents and bleach, as they're hard on the rubber and may cause it to tear or break open, making electrical shorts more likely.

I just use dish soap,

but have thought about trying simple green.  Laundry detergent might be a good idea, probably enzymes and such in there.  Oxy clean might be even better.  Have to keep this in mind if I get a challenging one.

[TexasFlood]

Dish soap, laundry detergent, oxy clean, simple green... any of them would work pretty well.  Just steer clear of solvents and bleach, as they're hard on the rubber and may cause it to tear or break open, making electrical shorts more likely.

I just use dish soap for soaking, and only on grungy keycap sets, having tried it on a cable yet.

I have thought about trying simple green.  Laundry detergent might be a good idea, probably enzymes and such in there.  Oxy clean might be even better.  Have to keep this in mind if I get a challenging one.

[Rajagra]

Yes, I tried Oxyclean powder on its own last time I did key caps, and it did OK. Makes the water really slippery so it has more than just oxygen bubbles to do the work. My logic was that laundry products attack the same grime that we get on keyboards so should work well.

[TexasFlood]

My logic was that laundry products attack the same grime that we get on keyboards so should work well.

Sounds logical.  And by extension perhaps I could pre-soak any extra grimy stuff with stain spray before the soak, :wink:.

[bilbo3000]

Thanks for your ideas! Soaking over night will probably do the trick I needed!