Removing keys from computer for cleaning?

[Pixel_Outlaw]

I think I have a few whigs worth of hair and assorted crunchies under my keys. I both a laptop computer and also a regular desktop computer.. My question is should I pull off my keys for cleaning? They seem quite resistant to removal and I'm afraid I'll break something. Has anyone ever broken a key in removal and cleaning? Is it an unwise idea?

[The Coop]

You don't have to remove the keys. If there's enough room between them, you can just take a sturdy toothpick and run it gently up and down each row to get the hair out. It'll bunch up at the ends, and be easily removable. A little blast of canned air afterwards should help too.

[Aleanil]

Actually, I pull off the keys on my keyboard all the time to clean - about once a year. A bit of water/rubbing alcohol mix does wonders for cleaning off the accumulated crap. However, I only do this on my desktop, not my laptops. Laptop keys (the flatter style) are a pain to take off and put back on, and are likely to snap. If you have a desktop keyboard of the same style, don't bother pulling 'em off - use the previous posters suggestion of canned air and a toothpick. But if it's a regular desktop keyboard, pop 'em off and clean it all out. That's what has kept my keyboard operating in good condition for nine years now.

[Damocles]

For regular keyboards, simply remove the top half and stick that sucker in a bath tub for a while. It's amazing what comes out.

[moozooh]

But if it's a regular desktop keyboard, pop 'em off and clean it all out. That's what has kept my keyboard operating in good condition for nine years now.

Same. Mine was 7 years old before I decided I needed one that doesn't loudly click each time I press a button, and it was still working fine for the most part.

[Skyline]

For regular keyboards, simply remove the top half and stick that sucker in a bath tub for a while. It's amazing what comes out.

This.

Dishwasher works well too.

[Ruldra]

I'm not sure if it's possible to remove the top half of the keyboard. Last time I tried to do that, I removed the screws on the bottom of it, and I ended up revealing its insides, with plastic pieces going off all over the place (there's one piece under every key in your keyboard).

I was never able to put the pieces back in position, and in the end, I had to buy a new keyboard

[Shatterhand]

I'm not sure if it's possible to remove the top half of the keyboard. Last time I tried to do that, I removed the screws on the bottom of it, and I ended up revealing its insides, with plastic pieces going off all over the place (there's one piece under every key in your keyboard).

I was never able to put the pieces back in position, and in the end, I had to buy a new keyboard

I've done this too. I felt so stupid

[MX7]

Pay someone else to do it.

[PC Engine Fan X!]

Pay someone else to do it.

Yeah, that's a viable option if you can find such a chap to do so... ^_~

[Twiddle]

What I do is take one or two keys out of a corner out, and slam the keyboard on the desk a couple dozen times to shake the dust and hair out. This does not result in the destruction of the keyboard 8 out of 9 times.

[landshark]

I use the toothpick method described above, coupled with taking it out into the garage and blowing it out with the air compressor.

[shoe-sama]

compressed air can
hell you can even get them at computer store things

[Pixel_Outlaw]

The 5$ for the canned air is a meal for me. I do have an air compressor though. My laptop is what really needs to eb cleaned.

[Battlesmurf]

This.

Dishwasher works well too.

If only that route were possible with a laptop.


Most laptops I've ever serviced have removable keyboards- so cleaning it might be easier with it removed? If you use an air compressor- bleed that kid first : )

[UnscathedFlyingObject]

You know, I was thinking about encryption keys.