ginny2014

Q: looking for a safe way to clean my wireless keyboard. any thoughts?

I've had my Apple wireless keyboard for about 4 years and it's getting grimy. There must be a way to clean it...right?

iMac, Apple wireless keyboard

Posted on Jan 11, 2014 7:16 PM

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Q: looking for a safe way to clean my wireless keyboard. any thoughts?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by MichelPM,Helpful

    MichelPM MichelPM Jan 11, 2014 7:50 PM in response to ginny2014
    Level 6 (14,189 points)
    iPad
    Jan 11, 2014 7:50 PM in response to ginny2014

    Make sure your computer and keyboard are shutdown.

    Use a cloth with warm water that is wrung out so there is little to no water left in the cloth.

    USE NO CLEANING CHEMICALS OR SOLUTIONS!

  • by den.thed,

    den.thed den.thed Jan 11, 2014 9:30 PM in response to ginny2014
    Level 7 (27,748 points)
    Jan 11, 2014 9:30 PM in response to ginny2014

    For all Apple products, see > How to clean Apple products

  • by FunBoo,

    FunBoo FunBoo Jan 11, 2014 10:57 PM in response to den.thed
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 11, 2014 10:57 PM in response to den.thed

    i turn it off

     

    then vacum it

    then use a micro fibre cloth and soak it with  isopropyl  alcohol...commonly known as rubbing alcohol..

     

    well don;t soak it but use a generous amount on it ..not dripping wet...it cannot hurt it

     

    water is insane...alcohol evaporates...totally

     

     

     

     

    i used to open my mouse and use alcohol and qtips to clean the roller thingies..

     

    never use anything on the screen other than micro fibre cloths and distilled water ...very little distilled water ..just dampen...

  • by MichelPM,Helpful

    MichelPM MichelPM Jan 11, 2014 11:57 PM in response to FunBoo
    Level 6 (14,189 points)
    iPad
    Jan 11, 2014 11:57 PM in response to FunBoo

    I would never, EVER use rubbing/isopropyl alcohol on any thing on a computer!

    Sometimes rubbing alcohol can etch some thin sheets metals, especially aluminum. Plus, it is not good for the rubberized keys on Apple's aluminum keyboards. Alcohol tends to dry out and crack most types of rubber substances.

    Rubbing alcohol is NOT a good cleaning agent, ever,  to clean external computer component hardware exteriors.

    Like I said, use a microfiber cloth or smooth cotton cloth soaked in fairly warm water and wrung out completely so the cloth itself is dry, warm, but damp enough to clean off surface dust, lint and dirt.

  • by PlotinusVeritas,

    PlotinusVeritas PlotinusVeritas Jan 12, 2014 1:10 AM in response to ginny2014
    Level 6 (14,806 points)
    Jan 12, 2014 1:10 AM in response to ginny2014

    If its grimy, you should consider cleaning your hands before typing.

     

    Ive got keyboards Ive been tying on for years that arent grimy.

     

     

    1. go to your dollar store and buy a soft long paintbrush (the cheap junk paintbrushes work better)

     

    2. turn your mac OFF

     

    3. turn upside down and crud from around keys while holding tee-pee style at hinge  with your brush.

     

    4. for "GRIME" on keys make sure cloth is very very slightly damp, NOT WET,   wipe keys.

     

     

  • by seventy one,Solvedanswer

    seventy one seventy one Jan 12, 2014 1:48 AM in response to ginny2014
    Level 6 (15,302 points)
    Peripherals
    Jan 12, 2014 1:48 AM in response to ginny2014

    Hello Ginny,

     

    This is the formal Apple document covering cleaning.  At the bottom it talks about peripherals.   You may find it useful to bookmark for future guidance.

     

    How to clean Apple products

     

    With regards.

  • by ginny2014,

    ginny2014 ginny2014 Jan 12, 2014 10:40 AM in response to PlotinusVeritas
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 12, 2014 10:40 AM in response to PlotinusVeritas

    My hands are clean, always The problem may be that I have kitties who like to walk on the keyboard. As I'm cleaning it now, I am finding unimaginable amounts of cat hair stuck under the keys. Not sure why this didn't occur to me before. Thanks.

  • by Donald Morgan,

    Donald Morgan Donald Morgan Jan 12, 2014 11:34 AM in response to ginny2014
    Level 6 (12,783 points)
    Jan 12, 2014 11:34 AM in response to ginny2014

    Compressed Air will get in and around the keys, and a damp rag, wring it out so it is barley damp.

  • by FunBoo,

    FunBoo FunBoo Jan 12, 2014 11:47 AM in response to MichelPM
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jan 12, 2014 11:47 AM in response to MichelPM

    water and electronics>dissaster

     

    i have used my alcohol and the aluminium finsh has not changed a bit...the keys are uber clean and disenfected ..

     

    and i'm not allowing WATER to penatrate the electonic keyboard...

     

    but hey...two years of doing this and no problems and me keyboard looks like brand new...