I live in fear of a spill happening near my precious computer. All it takes is a cup of hot coffee, sticky soda, or even water to render my keyboard useless.
But the truth is, if you act fast and you're lucky, your keyboard
can be salvaged. Here's how to do it.
1. Shut off or unplug the computer. If the keyboard is a separate device, disconnect it from the computer immediately.
2. Turn the unit upside down so that it can drain. Do this
before running off to find paper towels or some other absorbent cleanup aid.
3. Pat dry every accessible surface with paper towels, paper napkins ... heck, use your shirt if you have to. If only plain water was spilled, just leave the keyboard to dry. If you spilled something hot and sticky, however, you'll have more work to do.
4. If it's a laptop, remove the battery.
5. Do not rinse your laptop. Just let it dry out. As for computer keyboards that have been disconnected from a desktop computer, prepare to be shocked: not only can they be hand washed, some say you can even
put computer keyboards through the dishwasher. Just be certain your device is 100% dry before reconnecting it.
6. Laptops need to be cleaned the slow way. Same goes for computer keyboards if you don't want to risk the water-rinsing method. Gently pop off the keys one-by-one using a flat-head screwdriver for gentle leverage. Using cotton swabs or a toothbrush,
clean the exposed surface with isopropyl alcohol.
7. If anything sticky made it inside the laptop, an internal cleanup will be required. If you're not a techie, play it safe and
call an expert for help. In the meantime, keep your laptop upside down or tilted in a warm, sunny location or near a heat source.
Tip: Never use a hair dryer to speed up the drying process;
static damage could result. Also, in the case of a bad spill, the incoming blast of hot air could actually drive the mess further into the machine.
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Reader comments (Page 5 of 5)
My Cat Rocky decided to let loose by peeing on my keyboard. I really think he wanted attention. I have 2 keyboards I bought for less than 20 bucks each. Bad Rocky! hahahahah
Replywireless are nice.
Replywhy all the worry over a keyboard. What does it cost to just replace it?
ReplyCheap key boards? Target, Tiger Direct, Walmart....etc, etc.. REALLY cheap keyboards; Yard sales, Goodwill, local thrift stores. I guess when people upgrade they often get an extra keyboard; Goodwill checks electronics to verify they work. They have lots of people with time on their hands, and no profit motivatioin.
ReplyHowever, if my Logitech wireless keyboard needed replacing, i haven't seen any at thrift stores. Bought it in 2002, with camera and mike, on sale for $20. No problems. Spilled iced tea on it once. Turned it upside down over the sink, shook it hard. Then holding it upside down used sink sprayer gently to rinse it of sticky stuff. It was alrready wet, so if wet would kill it, it was already dead. Let it air dry upside down for 4 or more hours. It came out fine, worked normally, with the sides of the keys clean for the first time since it was new. :D
I put my drink in a desk drawer, that way it is not in a place where it can get spilled on the computer. I have lost a few mouses in my cup, put a lid on the drink and all is secure.
Reply