Idiots guide to keyboard maintenence

[asfogh]

Having mentioned in the other thread I'm the proud owner of a new FILCO, I was curious if there were any pro tips on keyboard upkeep. Do you guys peel the keys off regularly and vacuum the tray? Keep a roof over the keyboard when not in use? Soak or wipe down the keys?

[Arc'xer]

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=All+About+Keys#Cleaning

[hyperlinked]

I don't bother with compressed air or anything.  Might cause more harm than good since Cherry MXs can be sensitive to contamination.

Have you had problems with compressed air getting breadcrumbs into the switches?

I usually just do the shake like hell method too, but I do it probably once a week and sometimes more. Occasionally I use compressed air, but I hold the keyboard upside down with one hand and aim the canister at an angle toward the keys so that I'm not blasting most of the keyboard full force. Usually that gets out the remaining specks that didn't come tumbling out with shaking.

[Rajagra]

Someone pointed out that when you turn the keyboard upside down and shake, dust etc. can fall into the hollows of the keycaps. When you turn it right side up, that dust can fall into the switch mechanism. It's hard to say if the risk outweighs the benefits, but I generally avoid doing it now. I seem to get very little build-up anyway, so I can get away with a proper cleaning every 3 to 6 months.

Prevention is better than cure, so I use a soft brush to flick dust off my keyboard when I notice it. If I notice grease building up on the sides of the keys I wipe it off carefully with a cloth so it doesn't fall in.

A spill-proof coffee cup is a must for me. I drink it constantly, so the odds are against me if I don't eliminate the risk, LOL.

 

I have mini attachments for a vacuum cleaner that I could use to clean keyboards, but it would be overkill (and I hate the noise.) USB vacuums on the other hand seem like silly toys. One day I'll find a sensible compact vacuum for the job.

[Arc'xer]

I normally use a vacuum cleaner to clean the keys at least the external section. Usually I hit Win+L to lock the computer than pass the camel hair brush over it pressing into the keys, should turn the hose connection around on the other side to activate the blower and push out the remainder.

I notice it removes the oils from the keys as well so they turn into the darkened Otaku filcos people post photos of. But after a few hours it turns back to shiny.

[Mental Hobbit]

Someone pointed out that when you turn the keyboard upside down and shake, dust etc. can fall into the hollows of the keycaps. When you turn it right side up, that dust can fall into the switch mechanism.

I think that's a valid concern, I don't do that with my mechanical boards.

I vacuum-clean my keyboard and PC vents once in a while and go over the keys with a wet microfiber cloth. Once a year I open it up to fish out cigarette butts, crown corks and the other stuff the vacuum cleaner missed.

[Guardian]

I've never cleaned my keyboards (Until now, they've all been rubber domes), but I'd reckon a good idea would be to rip off all the keycaps and then get into it with an air compressor at about 15 - 20 psi, nice and gentle. Or, get a dinky can of compressed air, that'll do the job.

Makes my computer insides look all nice and shiny and new though.

[ch_123]

Have you had problems with compressed air getting breadcrumbs into the switches?

A single hair once got in through the gap at the bottom of a switch on my Filco and made it linear...

[TheSoulhunter]

- Compressed air to remove the dust and crumbs
- Micro fiber cloth + soapy water to remove grease

[InSanCen]

I just clean stuff off with an unused household paintbrush when I notice it. I've not stripped my M13 yet, but apart from the odd "new board" hiatus that is usually fairly brief, I've used it since September, and not needed to strip it for a thourough clean. If I spot board chow through the keys, then it get's done though. I did it with my M's every year on average, and I was a lot less careful around them.