The Keyboard Crumbs...RESULT

So i have a beautiful iMac G5, a lovely mouse and a keyboard which is covered in crumbs. For those of you that followed my last post on how to get out dirt, i said id do a test of differnet cleaning methods.

I got a Apple Keyboard (from the attic) and did some cleaning tests.

1. The Jockey. Get a piece of thick paper or thin card and simply slide it between the white plastic and the clear plastic. Shove all the dirt along. BUT it gathers up and becomes hard and impossible to move.

2. The Needle. Take a needle...yes a needle...and lift out the dirt. Kinda like a see-saw. BUT press to hard and the white plastic begins to scratch

3. The Key Removal. Pretty self explanatory. Take of the keys, and use a baby lotion/ pampers/ any kind of wet wipe to remove dust. Then dry around with a piece of thick tissue. Better doing it in sections, so keys dont get mixed. BEST METHOD.

4. The Keyboard Vac. One of them cheap vacs from PC World to get out dust. AWFUL. The keyboards have some sort of lubricant under the keys to reduce friction. The bristles from the brush just get stuck to it, and create more mess.

5. The Dishwasher. YUP. Read my other topic about 'all the crumbs'. A funny topic in which a man put his in the dishwasher. So i left it until last, and gave it a go. IT WORKS. Ive been using it fine for several hours now, without problems. Id reccommend no detergant as the chemicals will react with the copper components. But water cleans away ALL dirt that was left from the other tests. It worked once, but i would not reccommend this multipal times. Defenatly not for an expensive wireless keyboard like Apples.

So there you have it. My 5 tests carried out, and the best was in the dishwasher. Hey...''Think Different'' and all that. lol. My best recommendation is the removal of keys.

I hope this was helpful to all you gutys with an iMac and a grubby keyboard. Post back with what method helped you. **Vote Possitve so i can become a mod this year** hehehe

*nathan

Posted on May 8, 2005 1:41 PM

Reply
56 replies

Jul 23, 2005 2:58 PM in response to ---nathan---

After reading posts so far with some amusement and deepening horror, here a rather simple solution, answering one of the earlier questions.

It is possible to unscrew the backing of the keyboard with a 0.5 hex key - and voila - the the whole key set lifts up - be careful with the ribbon and naturally switch the keyboard off and take the batteries out before doing so.

This allows you to shake all crumbs between the keys out and clean a bit underneath it as well.

A deep sigh of relief all around, no more dishwashers (especially when you see how exposed the circuit board is) and yes, you can send me chocolate.

Aug 9, 2005 8:13 AM in response to ---nathan---

UPDATE:

Today was time for some cleaning.
And i have tried a different method:

Cotton Buds and Sticky tape:
-remove all keys from keyboard.
-use sticky tape, and 'wax' off the large particles and dust from each row.
-grab a cotton bud, and moisten it with tounge or moisten finger and roll cotton on there.
-use this cotton bud to move in and out of the key holders, and the moistness will pick up 99% of the dust.

Remeber, do this in a dust free area --so not near a computer, maybe the kitchen-- and always lay out the keys in a fashion where they will not be mixed.

Happy cleaning!

*nathan

Aug 9, 2005 2:04 PM in response to Jürgen Kraus

Hey Jurgen,

Just pull them off. Start from the outside and work your way in.
The way i do it:

-start with the control key (right side of space bar one)
-place finger underneath the right side...and pull.

You may hear a snapping sound, but dont worry. its very strong plasic with no metal pins (except bigger keys like spacebar and return key)

Lets know how it goes...

*nathan

Aug 10, 2005 4:42 PM in response to ---nathan---

I gotta say the idea of the dishwasher sounds pretty extreme to me I just sold my G4 imac so I am in the process of cleaning the whole machine thoroughly. I started last night with the keyboard, so I would like to explain my process.

I started by taking the shell off the keyboard. there is a sticker on the bottom of the keyboard that covers access to a screw. carefully remove sticker and set aside. I gave it a quick sprits with windex let it sit for a second and then wash it off under warm tap water, and set it aside. I then turned to the keys and first made note of where they all should be, and then plucked them off. (careful with the larger keys that contain metal guides that can be bent) I put the keys to the side, and then continued to dismantle the rest of the keyboard. there is a white panel on the back that hides a bunch of tiny screws, peel that off and set aside. after the metal plate was removed I took and put all of the rubber nubs in a bowl to keep track of them.
I then took and set aside the ribbon card and the small rubber bumpers on the white chassis. I took the white chassis and ran it under water with a brush, getting all of the gunk and buildup out. after quickly airdying it. (shaking it around and using a papertowel. I began to put it back together again, in reverse order, except the keys. once everything is together take some isopropyl alcohol and paper towel to rub all the crud off the keys, and replace as you go. the whole process takes a while. but the keyboard looks brand new again and its over three years old. I don't really trus water around any electronic components. being that I am Solder Tech by trade, I only use alcohol with things like this. I may sound a little OCD but its worth putting some time into it.

Aug 10, 2005 5:46 PM in response to ---nathan---

Ok, I just have to give my 2 cents on this matter. I was in the same situation as the rest of you, back when i had my old eMac I would eat in front of the computer and crumbs and dust got right into the keyboard itself. whenever you flipped it over you could see all the crud that had built up from use. when i finally got my iMac G5 I decided to get a KEYBOARD COVER for my new keyboard. all the dust and crud just ends up on the cover and all i have to do its take the cover over to the kitchen sink and wash it clean with soap. the keyboard still looks new not a single bit of crud has ever gotten on it. everyone do yourself a favor and if you get a new Mac or at least a new mac based keyboard, buy a keyboard cover and save yourself the headache of having to clean it

P.S. got my cover at www.iskin.com

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The Keyboard Crumbs...RESULT

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