I have recently bought a Dell keyboard but as it is second hand it is not a little dirty. I have tried for several days to clean it without success but now I am out of ideas. Have any of you here had similar problems and if so what did you use to clean it with?
Can you let me know your top tips for me to come clean with my new keyboard?
This is probably a big no no, but I have always cleaned keyboards, by unplugging (obviously) then on side and give a gentle but firm tap to knock sh!t out from beneath the keys. May have to do that a few times, then soapy cloth and cotton buds and just keep rubbing keys till they are clean.
A new keyboard costs £4.97 in Tesco, so I wouldn't fuss too much about trying to clean the old one. If you're determined to try, turn it upside down to shake the dirt out and then get to work with damp cotton buds and kitchen tissue.
Back in the day when keyboards cost a lot of money, we used prise the keys off, put them in a pillow case and put it in the washing machine. But unless it's a fantastic keyboard (such as the original 1995 model), as Chris and VHG suggest, it makes more sense to buy a new one.
You should be able to prise the keys off to clean them in soapy water. However, play safe and don't take them all off at the same time. Just do a few at a time, replacing them before you do the next few. Otherwise you're likely to take them all off and then forget what goes where.
Be careful with the space bar. This is often a slightly different fitting involving a spring clip underneath that has a couple of mounting points. I removed one once and never did get it to fit back properly. Best to leave it in situ for cleaning.
If anyone is going to remove the keys from the keyboard for cleaning then I suggest that they photograph the keyboard first and then they will be able to see exactly which key goes where when re-assembling.
Well thanks for your speedy answers, folks. I am glad to see you did not get 'board' with my question. I will not try putting it in the dishwasher and do not want to get a new one as have just got this one. I will let you know how I get on with it.