lheal's Journal: Cleaning Keyboards

I regularly clean the keyboards of computers that come to me for various fixes. I started doing it because some keyboards are so foul that I don't want to touch them without some kind of powerful cleaning agent nearby.

I have several different cleaning solutions and tools, depending on the type of grime in question. Apply the cleaning solution to the cloth or swab, not on the keyboard. Usually it works best to apply the cleaning solution to a row of keys, then come back along to clean that row thoroughly.

• For typical grimy student keyboards, I use a vacuum cleaner followed by Windex and a cotton cloth.
• For tobacco stains and other unfettered nastiness, I use a solution of alcohol (70% isopropyl) and "Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Washing Powder" on cotton swabs. (You can substitute equal parts of any laundry soap and baking soda). Use about a teaspoon of the powder for a half liter of the alcohol. The washing powder dissolves in the water, not the alcohol, so it may be necessary to dilute with more water. The baking soda also has a mechanical cleaning feature if it isn't fully dissolved, but the tradeoff is more residue. Be sure to wipe thoroughly to remove any residue.
• I've also used Scope (20% alcohol with menthol and eucalyptus, I think) or Listerine instead of rubbing alcohol. The washing powder dissolves better, but there's not as much alcohol in the mix. This method leaves a clean, fresh scent.
• For some other icky types of pernicious goo, the pumice + citrus hand cleaners work great (but tend to wear away at the paint on the keycaps). Follow this with Windex, alcohol, or water to remove any residue.

Denatured alcohol works almost as well as the baking soda mixture, depending on the type of disgusting adornment your keyboard has gathered. It also leaves no residue. You can get 91% alcohol from most drug stores, usually including Wal-Mart.