How To:

Kleen Your Keyboard

Normally, your computer's keyboard will see millions of keystrokes throughout its lifetime. Even the cheap ones will last years. They require very little maintenance on your part.

Over a period of time, though, you might notice a key or two that sticks. Or, maybe a key you pressed doesn't show up on the screen. Usually this is an e or an s key -- they're the ones we seem to use the most.

If you stop and think about it for a minute you'll realize that your keyboard is a mechanical marvel. It's made up of over 100 little switches that send the signals to your computer's operating system. It sits out there, day in and day out, in a nasty environment. If you're like me, you sometimes eat and drink at your computer. Sandwiches, chips, Cheetos, potato salad, pizza. We won't even mention an occasional cup of coffee or can of cola.

Even you own body helps mess things up. Right now you're sitting there reading this and shedding. Biologists tell us that we flake off about two million dead skin cells every day. Most of them end up in your computer's keyboard.

And, if you happen to smoke, you can add ashes and the products of combustion to the fray.

The occasional stuck key

Once and a while you'll run across a key that either sticks down and keeps repeating itself, or won't place a character on the screen when you press it. No matter how hard you slap it or hammer it, it still sticks.

This is fairly easy to fix. Most people don't realize that those keyboard keys are simply pressed onto the switches under them. Simply get your hands on a piece of wood or plastic about the size of a Popsicle stick. and run it under the offending key to pop it off. Don't use anything metal or hard plastic. You might damage the key or other nearby keys.(Be sure to turn your computer off before you do this stuff.)

The best thing you can use to clean out the yecchie stuff down in there is one of those handy cans of compressed air. Just give it a shot or two. For really "packed in there" gunk you might need to use a soft toothbrush to loosen it up. Check the keyswitch by pressing it down a few times to be sure it works freely. Replace the keypad on the switch by pressing it back on.

Quick Clean

For a more thorough job you can use your compressed air to blow out the accumulated stuff from under the keycaps. It's best to leave the little plastic extension nozzle on the sprayer so you can really get some pressure going in between the keys. Try to start at one end of the keyboard and work your way down and across so the debris gets blow out and off the board.

The Once A Year Really Clean It Out Keyboard Cleaning

If your keyboard is a real mess, then you're going to need to really get in there and scrub it out. A good cleaning can take most of a rainy Saturday afternoon if you do it carefully and thoroughly.

Start by making a "map" of the entire keyboard. You're going to have to place all the keys on your map. Some keyboards come with documentation the shows the layout of the keys.

Now, take your removal tool and pop off all the keys. At this point you can do two things to get the gunk out: Use the ever handy can of compressed air or a vacuum with the crevice tool attached. Either one works fine.

If some stuff is still stuck down in there you can use Q-Tips or a soft toothbrush to work it loose. A child's toothbrush is ideal for this job. It's smaller than an adult size brush and the bristles are softer too.

When you're satisfied with the job, replace all the keycaps.

When All Else Fails

Some technicians insist that you can fix a really messed up keyboard by soaking it in warm water. No soap or detergent. Let it drain on a towel then dry it with a hair dryer. (I really don't recommend this procedure but, if it's not working, what have you got to loose?)

Keep in mind that you can purchase a new keyboard for as little as $20.