repairing keyboard

tea was spilled in my keyboard, and I don't have the money to replace it. It's wireless, so can I just wash it out? Is there some chemical I can use to clean it without damaging it?

 

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err...

just let it dry somehow...its the best thing to do.

 

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Open it and wash it with distilled water. Then dry it in an oven on low heat. (NOT Microwave)

 

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draq-it's long since dry

arc-how concerned do I need to be about parts falling out when I Take the screws out?

 

If it's just the keyboard then you can likely give it a clean with a damp cloth and some cotton buds. (They do pretty well between keys, along with using the right type of cloth since you can use the edge of the cloth also to deal with key cleaning)

Obviously tea discoloration is a problem that might not be dealt with, thats why it's best to clean spills immediately.

Personally I would open the sucker up and damp cloth the lot, however you have to be careful with some keyboards as the keys themselves could have many sub-components that fall everywhere and can be near impossible to put back together.

You could buy a key cover in the future thats basically a spill/splash guard or my personal method has been to move my tea/coffee/beverage/food to a different surface altogether (Table/Bookshelf) to lessen the chances of such spills happening.

 

A note on chemicals, don't use "polish" sprays (otherwise your keyboard keys will become slippery) or sprays/cleaners that react with plastics (White & Methylated Spirits), since after all that's what the keys are made of.

 

Honestly, I was thinking of spraying it out with maybe some resolve carpet cleaner or glass cleaner, or maybe just some hot water, to avvvvoid oprning the thing anyway.

 

IsoPropyl Alcohol (IPA) works a treat. Slosh some in, scrub around with a cotton bud, them leave the keyboard upside down and allow it to drain out before it all evaporates. Repeat if required.

I used to support some CAD stations that were used by smokers. They were allowed to smoke in their office (this goes back some time) I used to vacuum the keyboards out, then slosh them. Worked a treat.

 

honestly, if I was in your situation...I would just continue using the keyboard like nothing ever happened...but I am not in your situation...

 

here is an exampppppppppleof uuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnedited keybbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbboard uuuse, draqon.

 

I'll try the alcohol, phlog. Thanks.

 

well umm Hamtastic...perhaps you should carefully remove the keyboard keys (mine can be removed with just lifting it from one side) and than drying the insides oncemore...

alcohol is a good idea...thou...

 

mine won't do that, I HAVe to unscrew the top from the bottom.

 

well you could take a picture of it or something...so that we could give you more very usefull things you can do with it.

But if I were you...I would just lay back...relax...and wait a week or two till it all settles down you know the water inside the keyboard completely dries up...no worries...nothing.

 

I thought if you spilled something on it you are supposed to clean up what you can from the top then put it on a towel or something upside down to drain the stuff out. :shrug:

 

I'd honestly spend the 10 bucks on a USB keyboard for now dude...much less hassle than cleaning an old spill.

A wireless keyboard can return when you've got the budget for it, and you'll always have a spare in case that evil old teacup tries again

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Yeah, general rule of thumb, DISCONNECT to prevent shorting, and invert, try to get whatever went in, out by the same route, and prevent new damage.

In this case though, as we can assume the spill has happened some time ago, a nice inert solvent is also a good idea, as it will dissolve any residue left behind, and leave none itself.

But also, as Enterprise said, you can't go far wrong with a new cheap one. I have loads of computer spares, my other half accuses me of hoarding,... until she needs one ;-)

 

I use rubbing alcohol at work...shake it out..maybe even use a blowdryer.

Back in the day..i used to put my kb in the dishwasher..but I wouldn't recommend it with today's keyboards.

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use some isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle, its the best cleaner.

 

THe keys are reacting to the syrup of tea and suuuugar, I think. I HAVen't been able to find any keyboards offline for less than 30 dollars.