drdutch

Q: how can i clean the white keys on my keyboard

How can I safely clean my iMac keyboard?  The white keys look disgusting.

Posted on Apr 21, 2012 10:03 AM

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Q: how can i clean the white keys on my keyboard

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  • by John Galt,

    John Galt John Galt Apr 21, 2012 10:05 AM in response to drdutch
    Level 8 (49,149 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 21, 2012 10:05 AM in response to drdutch

    How to clean Apple products: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3226

  • by rkaufmann87,Helpful

    rkaufmann87 rkaufmann87 Apr 21, 2012 10:06 AM in response to drdutch
    Level 9 (58,518 points)
    Photos for Mac
    Apr 21, 2012 10:06 AM in response to drdutch

    I use a baby wipe, keep water and any other liquids away from the keyboard or you risk killing it. You can also create a solution of 1 part vinegar for 4 parts water, dip a rag in it and wring it as hard as  you can to get as much moisture out of it as possible. Then clean the keyboard while keeping a dry rag at hand.

  • by PaulieDC,

    PaulieDC PaulieDC Jun 12, 2012 10:55 AM in response to drdutch
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 12, 2012 10:55 AM in response to drdutch

    I use this: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MFHX3U

     

    Lightly run the white side on your keys and the icky dirt comes off rather easily. I use it dry, and I lightly rub repeatedly, I don't use a ton of pressure. DISCLAIMER: I've started using this recently, so I don't know if repeated uses will eventually wear the lettering off. So please proceed carefully! Also, I assume that the regular Magic Eraser would work too, but use it DRY.

  • by bcanuel,

    bcanuel bcanuel Jun 29, 2012 9:01 AM in response to drdutch
    Level 1 (10 points)
    Jun 29, 2012 9:01 AM in response to drdutch

    We npticed that too. My wife discovered this trick. Use CLR...that cleaner that removes shower grunge from shower heads...with a cotton swab. Dip the swab in the fluid and then gently wipe against each key on the keyboard. We've done this a few times and it works just fine.

  • by Jo Jo 2012,

    Jo Jo 2012 Jo Jo 2012 Aug 22, 2012 8:55 AM in response to drdutch
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Aug 22, 2012 8:55 AM in response to drdutch

    I have just used Astonish - 'The great household cleaner'. I used some barely damp jay cloth with Astonish on each key and it worked a dream - they have no more grunge and they feel lovely and smooth again .

  • by RRFS,

    RRFS RRFS Aug 22, 2012 9:00 AM in response to drdutch
    Level 5 (4,490 points)
    Aug 22, 2012 9:00 AM in response to drdutch

    Some folks pop the keys off and wash them with soap and water or dishwasher top shelf. Google for videos or printed instructions.

  • by piamontealegre,

    piamontealegre piamontealegre Dec 3, 2013 4:54 PM in response to drdutch
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 3, 2013 4:54 PM in response to drdutch

    Don't EVER use glass cleaners. I did it once, and the white plastic turned a little bit orange. For ever .

  • by Iain Boyd,

    Iain Boyd Iain Boyd Mar 13, 2014 3:20 AM in response to drdutch
    Level 1 (35 points)
    Mar 13, 2014 3:20 AM in response to drdutch

    And just another little hint is to hold the keyboard upside downwhile doing anything with a damp anything to reduce the chances of any liquid running down the sides of the keys.

  • by Klaus1,

    Klaus1 Klaus1 Mar 13, 2014 3:42 AM in response to Iain Boyd
    Level 8 (48,821 points)
    Mar 13, 2014 3:42 AM in response to Iain Boyd

    Very good advice Iain!

     

    And so is this: unplug it first!

  • by seventy one,

    seventy one seventy one Mar 13, 2014 4:04 AM in response to drdutch
    Level 6 (15,140 points)
    Peripherals
    Mar 13, 2014 4:04 AM in response to drdutch

    Disconnect keyboard.

     

    Cotton Bud, lightly dampened (but not wet) with white vinegar.

  • by pickacardanycard,

    pickacardanycard pickacardanycard Mar 23, 2014 12:16 AM in response to drdutch
    Level 1 (4 points)
    iPad
    Mar 23, 2014 12:16 AM in response to drdutch

    I use a white vinyl eraser to clean the keys and canned air to blow off the eraser grunge. Turn off the keyboard first.  

  • by Tonytons7,

    Tonytons7 Tonytons7 Jun 8, 2014 9:28 AM in response to drdutch
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 8, 2014 9:28 AM in response to drdutch

    I just cleaned my white key board and wanted to share. I used Pledge multi purpose and microfiber cloth. This worked better than a baby wipe & lysole wipes. It even cleaned the metal part in between the white keys which I did not think was dirty. Overall, my key board look brand new. I just spray a little pledge on the cloth, and with one fingure, rub the keys in a circular motion and done, fast and easy.

     

    I am obsessed with this product, I even use pledge multi surface on my glass mirrors, stainless steel fridge, and bmw LOL. Cuz it works that good.

  • by tismeinaz1,

    tismeinaz1 tismeinaz1 Oct 7, 2014 7:05 PM in response to drdutch
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Oct 7, 2014 7:05 PM in response to drdutch

    I just tried the Mr Clean Magic Sponge.  I dampened it just enough to activate it, rung it out and gently stroked it across the keyboard and it sucked the dirt right up.  Keyboard looks like new. 

  • by JDI_office,

    JDI_office JDI_office Nov 25, 2014 3:07 PM in response to tismeinaz1
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Nov 25, 2014 3:07 PM in response to tismeinaz1

    Hi everyone. I do not recommend the Magic Eraser or products like that. While they do work great to remove the grunge, they damage the keys and eventually the letters wear away. I have tried almost all suggestions here and still can't find anything that works. And the instructions to be found on the Apple site are no good - a lint free cloth and water won't remotely touch the grime. I will try the CLR, but any more suggestions are welcome.

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