Thinkpads Forum

I popped of the S key during a very very very boring class today just to see how bad my keyboard was ... it was pretty bad. Had loads of blonde hair (not sure how, no blonde has ever used my laptop) and fuzz and dirt and stuff wrapped around the key. IF the S key is this bad, I imagine the others can't be too much different.

Is there a way I can clean the crap off from under the keys without taking each individual key off.


And as a joke to enyone who ever uses my laptop, I switched the D and S key around.

Miller88 wrote:I popped of the S key during a very very very boring class today just to see how bad my keyboard was ... it was pretty bad. Had loads of blonde hair (not sure how, no blonde has ever used my laptop) and fuzz and dirt and stuff wrapped around the key. IF the S key is this bad, I imagine the others can't be too much different.

Is there a way I can clean the crap off from under the keys without taking each individual key off.


And as a joke to enyone who ever uses my laptop, I switched the D and S key around.

Not sure it will take care of the hair if its really wrapped around there, but a can of compressed air should get all the little bits and fuzz out of there. Maybe someone has a better solution though..

You can try what this forum member did: vacuum the hell outta my keyboard!
[then again, maybe you shouldn't]

A soft shaving brush (or similar) is good for fetching out miscellaneous stuff that can accumulate under keys.

Cheers,

Bill B.

I thought my keyboard was pretty dirty -- despite vacuuming -- until I had to open up my three-year-old Thinkpad to replace the fan. It looked like the lint filter from a dryer.

It's a long time since I visited a garage in the US and so, this may not travel as an idea. But, if I am out of compressed air in a can, I go to my local petrol garage and use the air machine, intended for putting air in car tyres. Works a treat, so long as you can put up with the stares from bemused onlookers.

andrewb wrote:It's a long time since I visited a garage in the US and so, this may not travel as an idea. But, if I am out of compressed air in a can, I go to my local petrol garage and use the air machine, intended for putting air in car tyres. Works a treat, so long as you can put up with the stares from bemused onlookers.

I have done this before in Singapore and it is nice to see the onlookers with a funny expression on their faces.

Generally, the only time I use compressed air to clean a keyboard is if it has been removed from the system. I don't want to drive whatever lurks below the keys deeper into the laptop.

My keyboard cleaning is usually done with a brush attachment to a vacuum cleaner. It gets most of the dust, dirt, skin flakes and food out. Hardest to remove is hair (mine and the cats). I have not yet sucked up any keys .