How often do you clean your keyboard?

[Calli]

It seems our keyboard needs cleaning at least every six months. Outside of restricting food/drink (and I'm a culprit too) I can't see an answer for a chore I dislike. If I replace the keys incorrectly, others get so grouchy. I don't notice since I'm a touch typist. Does anyone else have to do this chore as often?

[mjc]

Six months...that seems to be quite a bit longer than I let it go, about every 3 months. I find that light cleaning more often (when I was doing it once a month, I never had to remove any keys) helps prevent that major chore.

Also, periodically turn it upside down and lightly tap the corner (or the back with your hand) on a solid surface....you'll be surprised how much gunk comes out, even after only a couple of weeks after a major cleaning.

[awaj]

every once in a while I blow my keyboards out with a can of air, and then just wipe them down with an alcohol swab. The keys on my laptop are sticking a bit. Any suggestions on how to clean them a bit better?

[mjc]

With it powered down...pop the key caps off the sticky keys and swab around under the key cap. On a laptop the key caps can be a bit tricky to handle, but not impossible.

Personally, I don't like popping off the keys, but sometimes there is no other way to do it.

[123456]

I've never cleaned any of my keyboards... then again, I never spill stuff on them. But I'm sure they must have cookie crumbs inside them.

[awaj]

there is also the oil build up from your hands...

[stepfinder]

Depends on, I will only clean them when I see they are dirty. Sometimes I even move the keys and clean the inside. I use brush also.

[halovivek]

I clean my Key boards Every month once. Because i am cooch potato in front of computer. Other wise insects will come and bugs will form. so i did not want give chance.

[Mini-Me]

Like 123456, I never ever clean any of my keyboards. If they stop working, I biff it and plug in another one. Ask any computer-friend for a spare keyboard, and they'll probably load you up with ten or more for free.
:D

[awaj]

most computer friends I have own at the most one per desktop...

[kiosk]

Every year or so, I completely disassemble the keyboard, remove the keys and let them soak in chlorine bleach to restore the whiteness, remove the PCB inside and wipe it with dish detergent, then leave the parts in the sun for a LONG time to give them enough time to thoroughly dry up. Then I reassemble the keyboard. It's a lot of work but my 15 year old keyboard always looks and feels like brand new!

[Mini-Me]

Not a bad idea, if you are that desperate!
:p

Me, I just biff and replace rather then take the time. Not to take away from your efforts though - credit to you for NOT contributing to the throwaway society...

Make sure you fully rinse off that dish detergent after the "Washing" stage.
If not fully washed off, dish detergent will leave a soapy residue on the board and contacts, which will actually make matters worse.
;)

However, it would seem you have been doing it right, or you would have had problems by now...
:D

[kiosk]

However, it would seem you have been doing it right, or you would have had problems by now...
:D

I have several spare keyboards but they are all cheap models with rubbery "chiclet" keys and are generally... ugh.

[Relztrah]

If by "clean" you mean turn it upside-down and shake, then once a year.

[Whyzman]

If they stop working, I biff it and plug in another one.:D :D :D

http://www.biffsinc.com/ref_major.html

[beerbelly]

As far as the laptop goes, I wipe the underside of my t-shirt across it once in a while. But, then again, it is a company comp.

The home comp, gets a thurough blow $&* once a year or so, and if that fails, it's another late night trip to Wally World.

I've tried the pulling off keys thing, but ended up with a QFERTL keyboard, not good for 6 finger typists.

[azzey]

I have an IBM Model M keyboard. I clean it once a month with a vacuum and detergent, and once a year disassembled in the dishwasher. Then I leave it under a desk lamp to dry (not in the oven like mjc :D).

It was manufactured in July, 1986 and I started using it in 2001... still works absolutely perfect. I recently put Cyrillic key stickers on it and now I can type in Ukrainian.

[mjc]

Never going to let me live that one down?

In my defense, though, it was just a place to put it...out of the way...:D

[Fruss Tray Ted]

Well actually, I was kinda waiting to hear you say how long to bake them...

Are they anything like baking 'Cookies'? :D