Anything I can use to clean the key board (keys are beginning to get a bit oily from people not washing their hands off before using it) without damaging it?

Also, what do you use to clean spots/smudges off of the screen (I believe it's a LCD screen) without damaging that as well?

3/30/2006 11:38:45 AM

i have a wireless keyboard

to clean it, i put it in the dishwasher.

my particular keyboard is basically 3 parts. when you take it apart, there is a bottom piece that holds all the electronics, the middle piece is a rubber piece that the keys press onto in order to press the board in the right spots, the top part is the part that holds the keys. there are no electronics in the top part and the keys stay in place.

so i can stick just the top piece in the dishwasher with no problems whatsoever.

3/30/2006 11:45:32 AM

I've heard that the best way to clean an LCD screen is to mix 50% rubbing alcohol and 50% water, and use a very soft cotton cloth (an old t-shirt, perhaps).

I haven't done it personally, but I have seen manufacturer sites recommend it (I think IBM's)

3/30/2006 12:02:02 PM

i usually use a damp paper towel or tissue. Just dont use the tissues with the mosturizing crap or whatever in them b/c it will leave streaks.

3/30/2006 12:04:14 PM

They make these things called screen wipes...

3/30/2006 12:07:22 PM

toilet paper and bleach

3/30/2006 12:40:54 PM

^^
Make SURE the screen wipes you get are specifically for LCDs. They also have keyboard kleen kits at various office supply stores (or at least in their catalogs if nothing else).

Don't forget good ole' cannoair.

3/30/2006 2:42:43 PM

Get a can of compressed air to spray between the keys. You would be surprised at all the crap/dust that gets caught between keys in a keyboard.

3/30/2006 2:47:25 PM

Quote :

"They make these things called screen wipes..."

most of the time LCD screen wipes are just a mix of water and alcohol. home brew your own and it'll last longer and be a lot cheaper

3/30/2006 3:39:21 PM

I just use a isopropyl alcohol pad you get from the drugstore, and then a microfiber cloth to wipe it dry and get rid of any streaking. ive been doing this for years, and it's worked great

for the keyboard, i'll just use a can of air most of the time, but if its really dirty, ill take it apart and wash the top plastic part with the keys in the sink. if you do this, be sure it's completely dry before you put it back together

3/30/2006 3:51:29 PM

you should use canned air before you clean the keys

that way you know its REALLY clean

3/30/2006 4:32:57 PM

i actually rinse my whole keyboard with water, and then dry it up and it works fine. google "washing keyboard"

3/30/2006 5:02:09 PM

^ I know of people who swear by wet-washing keyboards, and have also heard of people doing that and then finding the keyboard to be dead when they go to plug it back in. Use at your own risk.

3/30/2006 5:03:38 PM

I guess I should have specified that this is a laptop, so taking the keyboard apart I think would probably be a lot of trouble.

Thanks for all the good suggestions otherwise though!!

3/30/2006 6:18:17 PM