How to Clean a Spill on the Keyboard

Oh no! You knocked your coffee onto your keyboard? If you have a regular keyboard that plugs into your computer, you're in luck. Keyboards are easily replaceable and only cost a few dollars. If there's any damage done to the keyboard from the liquid you can simply purchase a new one. Try the steps below to attempt a salvage. If you've spilled something on your laptop, things are trickier. Since your keyboard is attached to your computer and there's sensitive electronics underneath the keys, here are some instructions on how to clean up as best as possible.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Clean damp sponge
• Clean dry paper towels
• Cotton swabs/Q-tips
• Shallow glass of hot water
• Hair dryer or air spray can
• Dinner knife or flathead screwdriver

1. Immediate turn your keyboard over to drain as much excess liquid as possible. Place a paper towel under the keyboard so extra liquid doesn't get all over your desk. Sponge off as much excess liquid around your desk as you can.

2. Find a picture online of a standard keyboard and print it. Once you have the keys off you won't be able to search for an image to get the keys back on! You could also take a picture of your own keyboard if you prefer.

3. Use a flathead screwdriver or dinner knife to gently pry keys off the keyboard. Aim towards the area where the spill was the worst. Try to avoid taking off the larger keys like the Enter/Return key and the spacebar. They will be harder to put back on if you take them off.

4. Use a cotton swab or paper towel to soak up as much liquid as you can. If you spilled a sticky liquid like juice, go back over the area under the keys with a damp cotton swab. If the liquid was greasy or oily like a soup, you can dissolve a little bit of household cleaner with water and use that on a cotton swab.

5. Check the keys you pried off. Are they wet or sticky? Soak them in warm or hot water for a few minutes and swish them around to remove the spilled liquid. Dry them off with a paper towel and let them sit out to dry.

6. Use a hair dryer or compressed spray air can to completely dry the keyboard and removed keys. Be sure everything is 100% dry before you put any keys back on.

7. Push the keys back into their places. They should snap into place with just a little pressure. You may wish to open a word processing document for the 'typing' you will do.

8. Try each key to make sure they all work. If you own a laptop and the keys are not working, you'll have to take it to a computer repair shop. The Geek Squad at Best Buy is a popular and easily accessible one for most people. Otherwise you can ship your laptop to the manufacturer if it's covered under a warranty or you need to replace it.

Tips & Warnings

• Be gentle!

Resources

• Another E-How article on the same topic

[goodselfme]

on 7/29/2009 Very good ways to clean the keyboard after a spill.TX