How To Get A Nice, Clean Keyboard

Methods you can use at work to get a nice, clean keyboard:

• My preferred method is to look around until I find a clean keyboard, and then swap mine for the clean one.

• Blow out nooks and crannies with a can of compressed air; wipe down all surfaces with alcohol-based wipes (not 'baby wipes' that contain aloe or such stuff)

Methods you can use at home to get a nice, clean keyboard:

• I'm not kidding: you can do a great cleanup using a dishwasher (appliance, not family member). Here's a how-to

1. unplug the keyboard from the computer before trying this - or at least turn off the computer
2. do not use any detergent - just plain water
3. do not use a hot dry cycle - air dry or hair-drier + air dry only
4. after the wash/rinse have taken place, remove the keyboard from the dishwasher
5. turn upside down (that is, turn the keyboard upside down) and shake to remove excess water
6. pour "rubbing alcohol" in openings to get alcohol to mix with residual water
7. turn upside down and shake to remove excess water/alcohol
8. let it air dry for at least a day in hot, dry weather or two days in cooler, damper weather; turn upside down and shake occassionally (the keyboard, not you); any moisture left inside will destroy the keyboard when you plug it in.
9. throw it out and buy a new one at the office supply store ($8 - $50)

• Search on the Internet for other ideas: try "keyboard clean" or "clean keyboard" on googlehttp://www.informationweek.com/blog/main/archives/2007/12/is_your_compute.htmlhttp://www.ehow.com/how_2183738_clean-keyboard-dishwasher.html (ignore the part about removing the keycaps)
• See "... preferred method ... " above