Cleaning Keycaps

[GeorgeK]

Just a quick one really - any tips / suggestions for cleaning doubleshot keycaps?

Thanks

GK

[poxeclipse]

I use dishwasher liquid. Some use denture tabs.
For paint stains, I use alcohol.

[DanGWanG]

Go to CVS and buy generic denture tabs and soak them in warm water for 20 minutes.  Then throw them in a pillow case, tie up the end, throw into dryer on delicate dry for 10 minutes.

Edit:  when you take them out you'll need to wipe off the lint with a microfiber towel.  Gives them a nice new feel!

[komar007]

I use a solution of washing powder. I get the water to boil and wait for it to cool down a bit (ABS has the melting point of 105°C, so you don't want to exaggerate with temperature), throw the keycaps in, give a good stir and leave for at least 10 minutes. Then I take them out of the solution one by one and wash with water.

If your washing powder has all that "intelligent formulas" and colorful stuff, you may need to rub the keys harder with your fingers to get that to go off.

I dry the keycaps in a small plastic box with a hairdryer. Again, watch out for the temperature, but I don't think they can go over 100°C.

[dorkvader]

I used to use dish soap and warm water, but then I realized the dish soap was leaving a residue on the keycaps. Now I recommend using soap that doesn't leave residue. I will likely start using the alka-seltzer method.

Actually, I was pretty impressed that just warm water would clean so well. I've had good success with it.

I hand-dry my keycaps later with a towel. I believe this really helps.

[Glissant]

Go to CVS and buy generic denture tabs and soak them in warm water for 20 minutes.  Then throw them in a pillow case, tie up the end, throw into dryer on delicate dry for 10 minutes.

Edit:  when you take them out you'll need to wipe off the lint with a microfiber towel.  Gives them a nice new feel!

Going to cvs or riteaid right now to get those for future use. Thanks!

[modulor]

Go to CVS and buy generic denture tabs and soak them in warm water for 20 minutes.  Then throw them in a pillow case, tie up the end, throw into dryer on delicate dry for 10 minutes.

Edit:  when you take them out you'll need to wipe off the lint with a microfiber towel.  Gives them a nice new feel!

Hmmm... never thought about the dryer method for drying.  Good call!

[GeorgeK]

Thanks for all the replies - I had a look for these today but could only find mint flavoured ones - might be a bit of a stupid question but were they the ones you were talking about?  Do they leave the board smelling minty? lol - feels stupid just typing it but hey...

Cheers again

GK

[fohat.digs]

Screw all that complicated crap. I have cleaned thousands of keys.

Get some powdered laundry detergent, I use Charlie's (from  Whole Foods/Fresh Market) the best for your laundry, too, by the way. A spoonful of that, along with a half a spoonful of Biz or Oxi-Clean (also very useful for your laundry) and, as another optional final touch, half a spoonful of washing soda, in half a gallon of hot water, soak the keys for 10-60 minutes, rinse 4 times in a colandar, and toss them onto a towel to dry.

If you are in a hurry, hand shake each one to remove the water from the inside.

0.1% of them may require something else. Try a pencil eraser.

[GeorgeK]

Screw all that complicated crap. I have cleaned thousands of keys.

Get some powdered laundry detergent, I use Charlie's (from  Whole Foods/Fresh Market) the best for your laundry, too, by the way. A spoonful of that, along with a half a spoonful of Biz or Oxi-Clean (also very useful for your laundry) and, as another optional final touch, half a spoonful of washing soda, in half a gallon of hot water, soak the keys for 10-60 minutes, rinse 4 times in a colandar, and toss them onto a towel to dry.

If you are in a hurry, hand shake each one to remove the water from the inside.

0.1% of them may require something else. Try a pencil eraser.

Thanks for that - I have some oxi-clean kicking around somewhere (useful for cleaning home-brewing equipment too!) - I'll give that a shot.  Again maybe a stupid question, but are doubleshots practically indestructible then?  Is there much that would actually damage them?

[Icarium]

YES! Absolutely, they're ABS so heat will deform them very quickly.

[GeorgeK]

YES! Absolutely, they're ABS so heat will deform them very quickly.

Fair enough - in terms of chemicals however, if I was to use just oxi-clean would they survive? (as long as the water wasn't too hot)

I'll stop with all the noob questions soon I promise

[Icarium]

Oxi cleaner is fine and I've never had problems with the dishwasher and dental tabs I've tried either.

[dorkvader]

YES! Absolutely, they're ABS so heat will deform them very quickly.

Fair enough - in terms of chemicals however, if I was to use just oxi-clean would they survive? (as long as the water wasn't too hot)

I'll stop with all the noob questions soon I promise

Icarium is right: oxi-clean should be okay. Keep in mind, though, that ABS isn't impervious to solvents. Acetone, for example, will dissolve ABS but not PBT.

[Glissant]

Screw all that complicated crap. I have cleaned thousands of keys.

Get some powdered laundry detergent, I use Charlie's (from  Whole Foods/Fresh Market) the best for your laundry, too, by the way. A spoonful of that, along with a half a spoonful of Biz or Oxi-Clean (also very useful for your laundry) and, as another optional final touch, half a spoonful of washing soda, in half a gallon of hot water, soak the keys for 10-60 minutes, rinse 4 times in a colandar, and toss them onto a towel to dry.

If you are in a hurry, hand shake each one to remove the water from the inside.

0.1% of them may require something else. Try a pencil eraser.

How exactly is your solution any less complicated than Dan's solution?

Go to CVS and buy generic denture tabs and soak them in warm water for 20 minutes.  Then throw them in a pillow case, tie up the end, throw into dryer on delicate dry for 10 minutes.

Edit:  when you take them out you'll need to wipe off the lint with a microfiber towel.  Gives them a nice new feel!

[GeorgeK]

YES! Absolutely, they're ABS so heat will deform them very quickly.

Just to be certain - what kind of temperatures are we talking about here?

How exactly is your solution any less complicated than Dan's solution?

Good point - for me however oxiclean is a great solution however as I wouldn't have to go and buy something else!

[dorkvader]

YES! Absolutely, they're ABS so heat will deform them very quickly.

Just to be certain - what kind of temperatures are we talking about here?

I believe ABS starts to deform at about 100C. You should keep it under 80C just to be on the safe side.

[Glissant]

How exactly is your solution any less complicated than Dan's solution?

Good point - for me however oxiclean is a great solution however as I wouldn't have to go and buy something else!

I do have to make it clear that I think your way of cleaning the caps is really easy and quick too. I do however have to go buy oxiclean or denture tablets, so I might as well try both ways of cleaning to see which I like better for me .


(side note: look at how beautifully the quotes are handled in smf!)

[Icarium]

I am pretty sure that 100 is too high, I think I've had stuff get deformed at around 60.

[GeorgeK]

I am pretty sure that 100 is too high, I think I've had stuff get deformed at around 60.

That's useful to know thanks - I guess if I stick with warm water (~40 degrees) rather than hot water I should be alright.

Thanks again

GK

[dorkvader]

I am pretty sure that 100 is too high, I think I've had stuff get deformed at around 60.

That's useful to know thanks - I guess if I stick with warm water (~40 degrees) rather than hot water I should be alright.

Thanks again

GK

60 C, right? My ABS keycaps are at about 90F right now, and they're fine.

[fohat.digs]

My experience with laundry detergent (+ oxi* optional) has been great, fast, and easy, and provides a really nice "squeaky clean" texture afterwards.

I almost never have to do any scrubbing, and I shake them out so that they dry in minutes.

I generally do not use solvents stronger than alcohol, but I have a citrus oil-based solvent that is good for removing tape residue and has not hurt the ABS cases I have used it on. I use it sparingly and clean immediately afterwards with water etc. Naptha (old-fashioned cigarette lighter fluid) works very well on tape but can be dangerous on plastic. Test first.

Ordinary erasers work very well on some problems. Try white plastic first and go to pink abrasive if you have to.

Heat is a big problem with ABS. The minimum effective range for RIT dyeing (65C/150F to 80C/175F) is also the threshold where ABS really starts to soften. I have had a few marginal successes and a lot of failures there. Buy some $1 keyboards at thrift stores for testing.

PBT is sturdy and very forgiving, so you can do almost anything to them and not have to worry.

My (experienced) recommendation is simply: do not heat ABS above 60C/140F under any circumstance, and realize that household appliances including hair dryers, clothes dryers, ovens, dishwashers, and others can easily hit those temperatures.

[xJaPx]

hmm ,that idea of throwing them in a pillow case and into the dryer is fantastic.  i actually wasted time with an air compressor blowing the water out  of each key cap. oh well, live and learn, great thread

[mkawa]

hah!

i just leave them to air dry on a towel. energy efficient!

[Peter]

This cleans your caps (actually, it sterilizes them !)
AND takes care of ABS-yellowing ..
http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com/

Do wear gloves and safety-glasses, you DO NOT want that stuff in your eyes !!