jay pegg

Q: cleaning modern keyboards

I would apreciate being pointed in the direction of info that will tell me how to clean my keyboard. Cheers, jp

 

Screen shot 2012-06-28 at 1.29.32 PM.png

Posted on Jun 27, 2012 6:31 PM

Close

Q: cleaning modern keyboards

  • All replies
  • Helpful answers

  • by captfred,Solvedanswer

    captfred captfred Jun 27, 2012 6:46 PM in response to jay pegg
    Level 7 (26,329 points)
    iTunes
    Jun 27, 2012 6:46 PM in response to jay pegg

    Here's apple's recommendations:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3226

  • by jay pegg,

    jay pegg jay pegg Jun 27, 2012 7:01 PM in response to captfred
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Desktops
    Jun 27, 2012 7:01 PM in response to captfred

    Well, no mysteries there, Captfred. Thanks for your reply. "A lint free cloth lightly moistened with water." Let me give it a go. Cheers, jp

  • by brucet9,

    brucet9 brucet9 Dec 29, 2012 11:43 AM in response to captfred
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Safari
    Dec 29, 2012 11:43 AM in response to captfred

    Is there a method that actually works? 

     

    I found that a damp cloth was no more effective than a dry cloth.  Both take off the worst of the dirt, but leave a noticeable remnant behind.  Not surprising, since the dirt from hands is mixed with skin oils that aren't soluble in water.

     

    I also tried isopropanol with no better results.

  • by brucet9,

    brucet9 brucet9 Dec 24, 2014 11:11 AM in response to jay pegg
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Safari
    Dec 24, 2014 11:11 AM in response to jay pegg

    I revisited this problem as the damp cloth advice was totally ineffectual on a really dirty keyboard.

     

    It turns out that VM&P naphtha (available from some paint stores or art supply stores) on a soft cloth instantly removed the oily dirt without affecting the numbers and letters printed on the keys and it dried rapidly with little odor.  Paint thinner, barbecue lighter fluid or cigarette lighter fluid would work as well, but the former two take longer to evaporate.  By all means, try first on a key you rarely use just to be sure it won't damage the printing on your keyboard (mine is a number pad version from late 2009). Since I used a cloth that was only dampened, not soaked, with solvent, nothing got down into the cracks beneath the keys.