Cleaning Keyboard

[Dillonz]

I need to remove some keys to get the crap out of my keyboard but I'm not sure if the keys are detachable. Is there any way to check or something?

 

[IggyAZ]

I need to remove some keys to get the crap out of my keyboard but I'm not sure if the keys are detachable. Is there any way to check or something?

In general they pop off but each manufacturer has a different locking setup.
I'd consider taking a small electric tire air compressor and blow out the garbage. If it is more than dust and hair you can try removing the keys but you the worst that can happen you have to buy a new keyboard. I'd pop off one key like one of the function keys and examine how they attach. Usually a small screw driver would easily pop them off.

Hi and welcome.
Here is a link I found that shows you how to pop them off as well as cleaning them.
Cleaning your keyboard - How to clean your computer keyboard

 

[richc46]

Rather than detaching keys, would compressed air be a better solution?

 

[CommonTater]

I need to remove some keys to get the crap out of my keyboard but I'm not sure if the keys are detachable. Is there any way to check or something?

One thing I can pretty much promise you is that if you pop any of those keys off from the top, by pulling or prying ... you're going to end up breaking them.

The far better technique is compressed air as has been suggested.

Or if you're feeling really brave you can do what I've done in the past... flip it over, take out all the screws on the back, lift off the backplate, then the plastic contact plane (do not separate the layers), the little circuit board, and finally the rubber "spring" mat. That leaves you with the upper tray and buttons still in one piece... simply dump this in soapy water and scrub it clean with a paint brush and rinse with clean water. Let it dry overnight and reverse the disassembly process to put it back together... If all goes well, it will be just like a brand new keyboard.

 

[karlsnooks]

I need to remove some keys to get the crap out of my keyboard but I'm not sure if the keys are detachable. Is there any way to check or something?

I didn't see a description of the keyboard manufacturer.

Is this a laptop or a desktop?

Using compressed air is your best bet until we know more about your keyboard.

If you have a friendly neighborhood computer repair shop, the tech(s) just may clean it for you in the same time that you can pour them a cup of coffee.

 

[sygnus21]

What CommonTator says make sense and would be the way to go (I've done it my self), however I would first do what Richc46 suggest and use a can of compressed air. It's alot safer.

My two cents.

Edit...

I didn't see a description of the keyboard manufacturer.

Yeah, this helps alot. Please tell.

 

[richc46]

First thing Monday, I may go out and buy some compressed air stock. Seems that is truly the way to go.

 

[sygnus21]

I've actually taken my keyboard apart at times to clean it, but then again I'm a mechanical type person. However I wouldn't recommend everyone do it as compressed air works as well.

 

[arkhi]

I had too much crap once, so I have to take apart the keyboard and remove the keys from the inside. It's quite simple as just pushing it, really. That way you can thorougly clean your keyboard of any stubborn dirt that may have settled.

There's not much electronics and mechanical things on a basic keyboard. Really. You should be able to take care of it if you open it, unless your using one of those complex gaming keyboards (LCD's and all).

Just a note, it may be wise to take a photo of your keyboard layout just in case you don't memorize how your keyboard is laid out. It's QWERTY okay?

 

[manhunter2826]

Interesting actually esp. on laptop keyboards how the design - and the gaps between keys - is often contributory to collecting dust and particles. Some chiclet keyboards (1st image below) have no opening 'gap' between the keys:

 

[Barman58]

The way I was taught to clean a keyboard is as follows.

1. Invert the keyboard and gently tap out as much detritus as is possible.
2. Use compressed air to remove stubborn matter.
3. Using a computer specific safe cleaning spray apply sparingly to a clean dry lint free cloth and lay the cloth over the keyboard.
4. Use a medium firm quality brush on top of the cloth to work the cloth over and between the keys.

This I have found to clean a keyboard without the need for disassembly, and is the professional way just because it does not take as long and time is money

 

[CommonTater]

The way I was taught to clean a keyboard is as follows.

1. Invert the keyboard and gently tap out as much detritus as is possible.
2. Use compressed air to remove stubborn matter.
3. Using a computer specific safe cleaning spray apply sparingly to a clean dry lint free cloth and lay the cloth over the keyboard.
4. Use a medium firm quality brush on top of the cloth to work the cloth over and between the keys.

This I have found to clean a keyboard without the need for disassembly, and is the professional way just because it does not take as long and time is money

LOL... wait till the day you have to get a half a bottle of maple syrup out of a keyboard that very nicely sat on the dining room table so they could use the computer during meals... :shock:

Everyone is correct... laptops are an entirely different matter... when you get one of those keyboards far enough gone, you replace it.

 

[Barman58]

The strangest detritus I've ever found in a keyboard was a salted peanut lodged under the enter key this was preventing the operator from doing any work so the keyboard was replaced and the old one dismantled back in the workshop in spare time.

I still have no idea how that particular object manged to find itself where it did. This was an industrial keyboard without removable keys

 

[FZ21Z]

I just run the extension on my Dyson over it once a week, seems to do the job.

 

[manhunter2826]

The strangest detritus I've ever found in a keyboard was a salted peanut lodged under the enter key this was preventing the operator from doing any work so the keyboard was replaced and the old one dismantled back in the workshop in spare time.

I still have no idea how that particular object manged to find itself where it did. This was an industrial keyboard without removable keys

Any allergies? Bad joke

 

[alphanumeric]

I've washed two keyboards under hot water without taking them apart. One of them had pop spilled on it. I shook out as much water as I could and let them dry in the sun for a couple of days. They both work fine now. I've heard stories where people have actually put them in dishwashers and they worked fine afterwords. Your mileage may vary.

 

[johnwillyums]

I saw an ad for some kind of thin putty stuff that you pressed into the keys and then peeled it off with all the dirt.
Can't recall what it was called and forgot to bookmark it.

 

[xXSevenXx]

I use Pledge multi surface pre-moistened clean and dust wipes.

 

[kodi]

Dry paintbrush (cheap stiff one) works wonders

 

[CommonTater]

I've washed two keyboards under hot water without taking them apart. One of them had pop spilled on it. I shook out as much water as I could and let them dry in the sun for a couple of days. They both work fine now. I've heard stories where people have actually put them in dishwashers and they worked fine afterwords. Your mileage may vary.

WOW... Even I'm not that brave....