Sticky stuff on your keyboard

Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
Ok, so I know how it gets there. But how do you get it off?

I fell off the smoking wagon a while ago and have noticed the filmy stuff building up on my keyboard. I can use wipes to get some of it off, but how do you get this stuff off w/o scraping it off your keyboard or using wipes?

Smokers will know what I'm talking about...
12/08/2011
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Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Lysol wipes. The ones with the double side. Just make sure you wring it out first so you don't drip the solution on your keyboard. It's just something you're going to have to do periodically to keep it from building up.

I wipe nicotine stains off my lappy at least once a month.
12/08/2011
Contributor: PassionateLover2 PassionateLover2
JR if you read this post, I believe there is some kind of cleaning liquid in a areosol spray can. It is very very cold but when it is applied to a surface it will dry almost instantly (at least in 3 to 6 seconds). I think it is also used on electonic products like VCR's or DVD's where hard to reach components require cleaning. Check out Radio Shack or similar electronic stores.
12/08/2011
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by PassionateLover2
JR if you read this post, I believe there is some kind of cleaning liquid in a areosol spray can. It is very very cold but when it is applied to a surface it will dry almost instantly (at least in 3 to 6 seconds). I think it is also used on electonic ... more
I think I know what you're talking about---it's just compressed air. That's not going to get rid of the residue from smoking. But it'll get the dust out from in between the keys!
12/08/2011
Contributor: Cherrylane Cherrylane
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
I think I know what you're talking about---it's just compressed air. That's not going to get rid of the residue from smoking. But it'll get the dust out from in between the keys!
It's called Duster. At least that's one of the brands. And yeah, it won't clean off gunk. Just dust.

I'm not sure there's another way to get any kind of residue off without scraping it or using cleaning wipes.
12/08/2011
Contributor: PassionateLover2 PassionateLover2
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
I think I know what you're talking about---it's just compressed air. That's not going to get rid of the residue from smoking. But it'll get the dust out from in between the keys!
I know it is some kind of liquid. I sprayed it on my hands once. It was really cold. I'm not sure but is 'ChemDry' or something like that sound familiar?
12/08/2011
Contributor: Starkiller87 Starkiller87
Quote:
Originally posted by PassionateLover2
I know it is some kind of liquid. I sprayed it on my hands once. It was really cold. I'm not sure but is 'ChemDry' or something like that sound familiar?
You are not supposed to spray it on your hands!!!!
12/08/2011
Contributor: dv8 dv8
I'd just use Q-tips and rubbing alcohol, unless the alcohol discolored the keyboard.
12/10/2011
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
Quote:
Originally posted by PassionateLover2
I know it is some kind of liquid. I sprayed it on my hands once. It was really cold. I'm not sure but is 'ChemDry' or something like that sound familiar?
Chem-Dry is a carpet cleaning company.

Duster products.

The "wet" you felt is the condensation from the propellant (which if you feel it at all, you're doing it wrong).
01/16/2012
Contributor: NicNat NicNat
Quote:
Originally posted by Ansley
Lysol wipes. The ones with the double side. Just make sure you wring it out first so you don't drip the solution on your keyboard. It's just something you're going to have to do periodically to keep it from building up.

I wipe ... more
Thats what i use.. Ether the Lysol ones or the Clorox .
01/16/2012
Contributor: Silverdrop Silverdrop
I only use the keyboard built into the laptop, so I can't personally attest to this, but apparently keyboards can go in the dishwasher.
01/16/2012
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
Ok, so I know how it gets there. But how do you get it off?

I fell off the smoking wagon a while ago and have noticed the filmy stuff building up on my keyboard. I can use wipes to get some of it off, but how do you get this stuff off w/o ... more
I just asked my I.T. guys. They say just use a fifty cent bottle of alcohol and a soft, lint free paper towel and you should be golden. Just DAMP, don't SOAK the keyboard, using the alcohol damped paper towel.

Pour the alcohol on the paper towels directly, not on the keyboard. Also, dab the keys, don't rub them with the alcohol soaked paper towels. That should do it. Once they dry, they should do it for you!
01/16/2012
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
I just asked my I.T. guys. They say just use a fifty cent bottle of alcohol and a soft, lint free paper towel and you should be golden. Just DAMP, don't SOAK the keyboard, using the alcohol damped paper towel.

Pour the alcohol on the ... more
Oooh, good tip! I just recently got a new laptop, and would like to keep it sparkling clean as long as I can. thanks!
01/16/2012
Contributor: Love Perpetua Love Perpetua
Quote:
Originally posted by Silverdrop
I only use the keyboard built into the laptop, so I can't personally attest to this, but apparently keyboards can go in the dishwasher.
You'd have to put it in the top rock, no soap, make sure it doesn't get too hot and melt/warp the plastic, and then let it dry out for several days before trying to use it again. I wouldn't risk it if you have an expensive keyboard, or wouldn't mind replacing it if things go awry.

I use a silicone cover for my keyboard to prevent gunk from getting directly on the keys, and I just remove it to wash it and let it dry every so often. You can get them pretty cheap and they protect your keys.

To clean your keyboard you could also try rubbing alcohol on a soft cloth - moisten the cloth with alcohol, turn off your computer, and wipe down the keys individually. It should dry pretty fast, but just make sure it's fully dry before turning it back on.
01/16/2012