Wash keyboard in dishwasher?

[IndyTiger]

My wife was complaining about her dirty keyboard at work the other day and the IT guy suggested putting the keyboard in the dishwasher! I looked it up on the web and it actually can be done...provided you put the keyboard on the top rack, do not use soap, and take the heat dry function off. Still a little uneasy about trying this, though, and would like to find out if other freepers have done this. Thanks!

[nina0113]

I was thinking she was asking the IT guy at work what she should do at home - I get those questions all the time.

[Tijeras_Slim]

IT guy suggested putting the keyboard in the dishwasher

Most IT guys I know are filled with frustration and itching for even purile revenge.

[Doohickey]

Actually, it can be done, and it works.

But.

I only did it because I was in the middle of the North Atlantic 400 feet below the surface. No Wal-Marts with keyboards for $9.98 there.

If you decide to try it just for kicks, make sure it's just a standard PS/2 keyboard without any extra buttons, switches, levers, slots, etc. Let it dry for a few days - a week is better to be sure.

[Graybeard58]

Don't lay your food in the shopping cart tray where toddlers and babies ride. You know what they do.....

[Fintan]

Heck, I just wait till the local high school cheerleaders have their Annual Car Wash & Bake Sale and have them detail mine for me.

Them gals do a great job, too...

 

 

 

[Dustbunny]

Wonder if it is possible to spray my keyboard with Windex (leaves no residue), rub in between all the keys with a brush, rinse it with the sprayer on the kitchen faucet, spray it with canned air to get some of the wet out and let it air dry would accomplish the same thing.

Hummmmm may have to try this when I know I will be going shopping the next day just in case it does not work.

[CindyDawg]

LOL. Yeah, I carry a purse.

[svcw]

What!!!!
Ah usually NO electronic devices go in water. It might get clean but never to again used with out ... no ... you will never be able to use it again.

[Sally'sConcerns]

Thanks! Mine's a Dell too. I think I'll hold off on washing it though. It's expensive and difficult to get replacements in my small town (just in case it doesn't work). Either have to order it over the Internet or wait til I go to 'town' to get a replacement and even then it's close to $80.00.

[Hegemony Cricket]

Wow - what a bonehead - EVERYBODY knows that you have to use wheatbread!

[stylin_geek]

I'd have known you were Greek if you'd recommended Windex for an elbow problem.

[Dustbunny]

Good grief no wonder you have a key cover.

[mkjessup]

Put this in your dishwasher

If I want a demon possessed dishwasher, I'll buy one from Ghostbuster's Appliances Inc., thank you very much. ;)

[righttackle44]

"The dishwasher will clean anything you put in it."

Would it work on Howard Stern's mouth and mind?

[facedown]

But you know some dingbats will do just that!

And then put it in the microwave to dry it off. 8^)

[LongElegantLegs]

I find that nothing gets Fido as fresh and clean as the 'tough' cycle and a little oxyclean for pre-rinse...

[Riley]

I was thinking she was asking the IT guy at work what she should do at home - I get those questions all the time.

I do too. (I'm also in IT.) My usual answer is that it isn't worth screwing around with it- learn to love cheap $10 keyboards. You can turn it up on it's end and blow it out with compressed air for a quick fix- but I go to Wally World and get a new cheapie every couple of years or so.

I re-read the original post- it isn't clear, you may be right about it having been a informational request for home.

On a related IT horror story note- I had one user once upon a time whose keyboard was so coated with sweat off his finger tips that the keytops looked as if they had been rubber-armored. I finally refused to work on his machine until I was allowed to replace the keyboard. I walked to old one all the way outside to the dumpster. Worst case I have ever seen.

[Roses0508]

Disconnect the keyboard, get rubbing alcohol and a couple of coffee filters and clean away. Even if you spill a ton of the rubbign alcohol, it evaporates fast enough that it does not damage and it is very effective at cleaning stuff off keyboards, monitors, computer cases, etc. A paper towel or cloth will work too, but the coffee filter is lintless.

If the keys pop off, you can use something to blow the crumbs out underneath and even clean with the alcohol there. I've been a fully qualified computer nerd for more than 15 years and I quit buying any fancy stuff to clean computer equipment with years ago.

[elli1]

Computer guru/ owner of electronics store--friend of ours...takes keyboards to the car wash (which is next door to his store) after Coca-Cola spills.

[elli1]

The dishwasher will clean anything you put in it.

Yup. I use it to clean the kid's hockey equipment--skates, gloves, shoulder, shin & elbow pads. No soap but I slosh in some odor killer/ disenfectant before I start it up. Also turn off the drying function. If you take the pads out of the pants, those will fit in a home washing machine.