How to Clean Up Keyboard Spills

Introduction

Science can't explain it, but soft drinks and coffee are undeniably attracted to computer keyboards. Put them in proximity and they're bound to interact messily sooner or later. Luckily you can save your keyboard if accidents happen. Here's how to do it.

By: eHow Computers Editor

Length: 1:18

Comments: 8

View more articles by this author

Flag | RSS

(111)

Add to Favorites

URL:
Embed:

Instructions

Text Size: – +

Print Article

Difficulty: Moderate

Step1

Unplug the keyboard.

Step2

If you spilled water, turn the keyboard over and let it drain and dry out for at least 24 hours.

Step3

If you spilled something sticky, try prying the small key caps off of the keyboard with a flathead screwdriver to get better access to the mess. Don't remove the spacebar, the Enter key or other large key caps. (Take a picture of the keyboard layout, or make a quick sketch of it, before you remove any keys so you can put them back where you found them.)

Step4

Gently clean the keyboard with a wet cotton swab. Use either hot water or rubbing alcohol to get rid of the sticky residue.

Step5

Replace the key caps after rinsing them and letting them dry.

Step6

Let everything dry for at least 24 hours before plugging the keyboard back in.

Comments

premier69 said

Flag This Comment

on 6/23/2008 yeah, i've got a logitech di novo which is wireless and has a built in laptop so i dont know how to unplug it, sure it has a powerbutton but does it really go to sleep?

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 8/8/2006 I pried off the keys, which I wasn't sure about at first, and then I dipped Q-tips in rubbing alcohol and it cleaned the gunk right off! The keys worked great again, and they were germ free.

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 8/8/2006 After my laptop dried the keyboard printed i+,u5, ... when the i, u... keys were struck. Ctrl/alt/del did nothing.

I took the keyboard off, carefully disconnecting the ribbon connectors and then dismantled the keyboard by cutting the plastic welds that held down the printed circuit board. The circuit board on mine was 3 sheets of plastic, and when I held it up to the light I could see where the water had caused a few of the lines to blur into another of the closely associated lines. I carefully cleaned the lines where bleeding had occurred. I used my glue gun to re weld the circuit board back into position and reassembled. My keyboard works right again. Be careful when reassembling to completely secure the circuit board back into it's original position or your keys won't have any spring. This took me 3-4 hours. I don't have electronics training, but I am good with my hands and understanding how things work. If there's no other option but springing for a new keyboard, and you have the time, this might work.

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 12/8/2005 My kids spilled soda on the keyboard 2 days ago. I thought I did a decent clean up job, until I went to type an e-mail today and many keys were sticking. I came to the eHow site and took the suggestions of prying off the keys with a screwdriver and using a little warm water and some Q-tips. It worked like a charm. My ability to type this is proof it worked. Thanks!

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 11/29/2005 After I spiled coffee on my keyboard for the 2nd time I went out to by another one. at radio shack they had a keyboard that was all sealed. there were no spaces around the keys. I bought and I love it. Water, coffee or pop cannot get under the keys.

View All