Cleaning Under the Keyboard

[k3vb0t]

Is there a generally accepted process to get dust and other visible particles from underneath the keys? Small dust vacuum? Air can and blow it out?

I read the FAQ and it only mentions cleaning the screen and the top of the keys.

Much thanks...

[AlphaKilo470]

On my two laptops, I lightly brush away the top dust with a fine cloth then use compressed air to blow away everything else, and both keyboards, with the exception of slight wear, look almost new.

[ThinkPad]

I use the air can to blow away everything. If you want to get meticulous you can easily remove the keyboard and clean it with detail.

[AlphaKilo470]

Once, with a laptop I no longer have, the dirt was at a point where you could see bright brown in the gaps between each key (the computer was recieved used in that condition), I removed every key and cleaned the surface with qtips, a rag, and a small amount of Windex, but due to the fact that you risk breaking keys, losing keys and damaging your keybaord, I only reccomend doing that if compressed air doesn't do the trick.

[k3vb0t]

Once, with a laptop I no longer have, the dirt was at a point where you could see bright brown in the gaps between each key (the computer was recieved used in that condition), I removed every key and cleaned the surface with qtips, a rag, and a small amount of Windex, but due to the fact that you risk breaking keys, losing keys and damaging your keybaord, I only reccomend doing that if compressed air doesn't do the trick.

Just now getting back to the forums...

Do the keys come off like a standard keyboard? (Flathead screwdriver + pivot point + pressure)?

[AlphaKilo470]

On older ThinkPad's they do. On most ThinkPads introduced 1997 and later, you'll need to be careful not to break the plastics under the keys.