Forum Topic

How do you clean your keyboard?

...all those nooks and crannies!  Is there a simple way of cleaning the key board?  I just tipped it up and shook it and lots of dust came out from between the keys, but there are still more bits wedged underneath and lots of grubby marks on the keys.  Any tips?

Sarah Felstead ● 7264d39 Comments

Colin,The Fogdens I knew lived in Brentford also one lived on Ivybridge his name was Alan and worked at the market as I believe the family did going way back, one of those jobs handed down from father to son.

Helen Fogarth ● 6580d

I have known a Ray Fogden for some 20 years... he would over 50 years old by now.This Fogden played football for Meadonians...did helicoptering..and used to run a large printing fiorm in Feltham.Is Ray one of the two Fogdens Colin mentioned?I had a great curry tonight at the Everest Restaurant on the London Road in Isleworth...and sticky keyboards and dusty screens were the last things on my mind...until now!!Where's the MagiKleen Jeeves!

Jim Lawes ● 6581d

I knew of a Fogden once.  He ran a huge civil service department but was very isolated by his middle managers trying to impress him by telling him what they thought he wanted to hear, rather than the truth.It was rather lonely in his parapet (although being a senior Civil Servant his room did have natural daylight) and so far removed from the day to day practicalities of implementing his Departments policies (the ones which bright spark in the next room to him was paid to dream up) that he used to don a wig and pop out to play mystery shopper.  The only time it didn't guarantee him a decent conversation was the time he pretended to be deaf.  I often wish some of the politicians would take his lead as often it is not another new policy which is needed it is just the existing ones which need to be implemented or amended to suit the current loopholes.

Sarah Felstead ● 6581d

Edward - I was back at the NA today and 5 mins into looking up some census returns and the whole place went into darkness!  We were all sent outside where I was told by a member of staff that there is some information on their web site about the FRC's move - due next March.  Great stuff .... the FRC move, not the being sent outside.

Sarah Felstead ● 6581d

Scrub that, I was thinking of the Fogdens.

Colin Murphy ● 6581d

Your name rings a bell - did/do you live near Worple Road with at least 2 sons?

Colin Murphy ● 6581d

Ah, I get it now even my three cats couldn't make it out. I will have to concentrate harder.

Helen Fogarth ● 6581d

Well give you something to do after you have cleaned your keyboard

Dave Hughes ● 6581d

And the point is??????????????????????

Helen Fogarth ● 6581d

Dave Hughes ● 6581d

Hello Sarah, I hope it is true about the FRO I will have to ask the next time I am there it will save the hassle of traveling up on the bus and train, I find the worst bit is from Kings Cross to Middleton Rd too far to walk to close for a cab so it is £2 on the bus. Must get one of those Prawn things for the cheap fare!

Edward Fitzgerald ● 6581d

SarahAt the junction of Thornbury Road and London Road, Isleworththere is one of those ink-jet refill places.If you go there..and ask for a "Magi-Kleen" kit.  It costs £10 and is well worth it. Two small bottles of a special cleaner and the microfibre cloth.Cleans both LCD and Plasma screens.  It really works..a treat!

Jim Lawes ● 6581d

Hello Helen - I occasionally go to look things up.  It is lovely there, isn't it.  It is  shame that their second site beside the NA was sold off and has flats going up on it although I heard that they are relocating the Family records centre to Kew so maybe they are going to use the old Inland revenue buildings?  I hope that the rumours are true it would make sense to have the FRC with the other public records together in one place .... especially as that place is so handy for ...  US .. ;-)[By the way - there is at least one other poster who works there]Thanks for the tip I need to wipe the screen over and am getting quite worried about it.

Sarah Felstead ● 6581d

Sarah,I use a product called Foamclene for my screen but can't remember where I got it from, some times I just use an ordinary glass wipe cloth has not done any damage so far after 4 years.Do you do family history research at the NA? as I some times go there to look things up on our family history, trouble is when I go I can't leave, also my brother-in-law has made several trips to the FRO and has come up with many interesting facts about both our familys.

Helen Fogarth ● 6581d

Okay - so we cracked (I do find myself repeating that word) cleaning the keyboard - how about flat screen monitors?I freecycled my 'takes over the whole desk' monitor and now have a flat screen which I understand needs careful cleaning.  Why is that?  What can and can't be used?I was at the National Archives yesterday and the blank PC screen was 'dusty' with a white film.  I asked for a cleaning cloth and the girl wiped it over with a cloth with a liquid on it and I realised the 'dust' appeared to be a residue of some cleaner and not dust at all.  Is that what happens if you use the wrong fluid?

Sarah Felstead ● 6582d

http://reviews.cnet.com/5208-6122-0.html?forumID=44&threadID=159931&messageID=1775234&tag=nl.e497

David Johnson ● 7029d

http://www.unotron.com/UK/wash_process.htm

David Johnson ● 7191d

I've been retired for 10 years and am of a generation that no longer has the manual dexterity to clean a kyb  ;-)

David Johnson ● 7226d

I am of a generation who find the idea of junking a key board which is still working perfectly, very very very difficult to do!  Son's do not share this difficulty, so I shall ask them to read your message…..  ;-)

Sarah Felstead ● 7226d

...crumbs!  which key don't I want to use again...?

Sarah Felstead ● 7226d

Hi Sarah,You can lever each key off (using a knife) give it a dust/clean and then snap each key back on....(she says suddenly praying that your particular keyboard has snappable back on keys!), I think most keyboards are pretty much the same.

Emma Rowlatt ● 7226d

Hi,I don't know whether this is still of interest; Maplin are doing wireless kyb and optical mouse (normally £39.99) for £14.99http://www.maplin.co.uk/  (code #  A33Cw) Belkin Keyboard & Mouse • Wireless keyboard and wireless optical mouse • Keyboard in stylish design in silver and black • Mouse in stylish silver • USB and PS/2 receiver and adaptor • Seven multimedia keys and seven hotkeys offer easy management of your computer • Mouse works seamlessly for right and left handed users Take advantage of the latest advances in computing with wireless freedom and optical precision - all in one package. The Belkin Wireless Keyboard and Optical Mouse bundle uses digital radio technology to give you the luxury of using your keyboard and mouse in comfort, anywhere within six feet of the receiver. Operation is accurate and seamless, and you no longer have to worry about keeping cables from pulling your devices. You can store your keyboard easily out of reach whenever you want to create more desktop space. The mouse uses optical technology to deliver accurate signals from smooth, easy movements without requiring the maintenance of conventional, rubber-ball mechanism mice. Access the Internet and your favourite applications with just one touch. Seven multimedia keys and seven hot keys offer you an easy method to manage and enjoy your computer, at both work and play. System requirements Windows 98, 2000, Me or XP. Package includes: wireless keyboard, wireless optical mouse, USB and PS/2 receiver, keyboard PS/2 adaptor, two AAA batteries for keyboard, two AA batteries for mouse, user manual and CD software driver.

David Johnson ● 7226d

http://plasticbugs.com/index.php?p=263I'm not going to try it though!!!

Audrey Walton ● 7262d

Who I wonder is going to be the first brave person to put their keyboard in the dishwasher?  Not me!!!

Doris M. Lediard ● 7262d

DISHWASHER!!!! ...? crumbs!

Sarah Felstead ● 7262d

Jim Lawes ● 7262d

"Put it in the dishwasher! No, really........"Richard...I've just had to check the calendar...surely its not April Fool's Day already!    but then you said it worked a treat!.Sally: Ladies first..have a go!

Jim Lawes ● 7262d

Put it in the dishwasher!No, really.  If you Google for keyboard dishwasher, you'll find lots of advice about this.  The main thing to remember is to leave it to dry afterwards for several days.  But I've seen it work.  There was a time when a company I worked for had problems obtaining new keyboards, so they resorted to "repairing" faulty customer keyboards by sticking them in a dishwasher.  Worked a treat!

Richard Jennings ● 7262d

Ok guys,This may sound...well...not that delicate but i use the vacuum cleaner! I attach the soft brush and gently give it the once over. Its not like you are gonna suck the keys off and it works really well :)

Kim Littlewood ● 7262d

I was joking, but I am relieved to hear that you donate the old keyboards.  I had visions of old keyboards piling up somewhere, everytime they required cleaning!

Doris M. Lediard ● 7264d

Well, I did once try to unscrew the back, but all the bits under the keys fell apart and it took ages to get it all back together.  That was ages ago, so I can't remember if the keys also fell off - it was a bit of a puzzle to put it all back together.  Seems a waste (pardon, moi) to buy another keyboard when youngest son has not yet worn this one out - he is doing a grand job, and will get there in the end ...  It has dark areas of finger marks and I thought there may be some sort of way (easy, puh-leese) to spray something on it and, well do you think that spectacle cleaner is okay to use?  Do I have to be careful about making sure it is all switched off and dry before it is switched back on?  That air spray might be a good idea for under the keys - last time I used a pin or a paper clip, undone.  Why can't they design an easy clean keyboard, Mr Gates?

Sarah Felstead ● 7264d

How about unscrewing those screws at the back of the kepboard to get better access to the fluff and grim. Unplug first of course!!..and then hope you can put it together again!!Use a mascara brush?

Jim Lawes ● 7264d

Perhaps a tiny spray of spectacle cleaner and a toothbrush?

Keith Iddon ● 7264d

Ah, now you have me.  I don’t know if you’re joking or being serious.If you’re joking – nice one – if you’re serious I’ll bore you (et. al.) to death with the answer and it’s really not relevant.  I’ll try to keep it short.I’m one of those geeks who build my own PCs.  So, the area is spotless, no food, dust etc.  I tend to like the black/silver kybs as they match the TFT screens.  The silver bits are at the top, all the bits one touches are black.  In effect, the kyb never looks dirty nor would appear to need cleaning.However, as a new PC takes pride of place one of the old ones is donated to some institution or other (and of course, a kyb goes with it).So, not really relevant to the thread but I felt it would be impolite if I did not reply – I suppose I buy a new kyb every six mths. or so, but then there are also the sound cards, apps., yawn, yawn  :-)

David Johnson ● 7264d

I'll tell you a funny story Doris. Friday my printer AC adapter died. Best Buy had a new one, $74 for the adapter and $10 for the elec cord. A used computer store had an adapter, not HP but same voltage - $30!In Goodwill in Gresham, I found exact replacement for mine, $2.99. Also, a newer HP printer than mine, complete with adapter and elec cord, $4.99!!  Couldn't leave it there so brought it home and checked it out, works perfectly.Now have a spare printer!!

Audrey Walton ● 7264d

And I thought that the U.S.A. was the "throw away society!! Exactly how many old key-boards do you have?

Doris M. Lediard ● 7264d

So, how quickly do you dirty up your keyboard?

Audrey Walton ● 7264d

This is going to sound so decadent that I hardly dare post it – with wireless mouse and kyb at about £20 I don’t clean them, I buy a new one as it will have so many new features, mute, volume etc. each time.I’m going to hide now before the “flames” start  :-)

David Johnson ● 7264d

www.dust-off.com. I call it canned air. Works well. Also one of those synthetic feather dusters is great.

Audrey Walton ● 7264d