NationStates Jolt Archive

Honest guv, I was at a BBQ using my laptop for music when someone spilled Red Bull on the keyboard. It shut down but it's ok, I quickly removed the battery and turned it upside down.

However, the keys are still very treacly and it's really bugging me, specifically the left shift key since it takes a good 5 seconds to rise so I'm constantly getting CAPS.

What's the best way to dissolve intense sugar treacle from a keyboard - is it going to require some dismantling?

My initial solution is to take out the battery and then blast the keyboard with deodorant spray, given it has alcohol, in the hope it will work.

Any better solutions?

uhh.... proper cleaning alcohol?

Take out the battery beforehand:

Metho would probably do the trick. Remove all the keys, put a bit of metho on a bit of paper towel and give it a bit of a wipe. Make sure it is well dry before you put the keys back in and turn it on.

I wouldn't recommend the deodorant because it has other things in it and hasn't got enough alcohol content.

Looking around, there's a few suggestion of using a 50% isopropyl alcohol 50% dionized water solution.
Still, my best bet would be to get it to a professional. If they screw it up, they're insured (and in any case, you'll be more successful suing them for screwing up than suing yourself.)

uhh.... proper cleaning alcohol?

Take out the battery beforehand:

Metho would probably do the trick. Remove all the keys, put a bit of metho on a bit of paper towel and give it a bit of a wipe. Make sure it is well dry before you put the keys back in and turn it on.

I wouldn't recommend the deodorant because it has other things in it and hasn't got enough alcohol content.

It's a MacBook so, as I understand it, there's a membrane separating keys from internal electronics, the deodorant idea has the added benefit of making it smell nice. That was my rationale.

I'm loathe to snap off keys, even though it appears to be okay to do because I'm just too wary of really snapping them. It also seems time-consuming and annoying.

Apparently you can put it in the dishwasher though I'm not sure I"m reading that correctly, it may mean an external keyboard and, anyway, I can't really afford letting it dry out for a week, I still need to work.

I might just drop it off at the store, sign away my first-born for the cost, and have them do it but if there's some quick and easy solution I"d be grateful.

One of the risks I've seen, is that after cleaning it, it works fine for a month; and then suddenly the entire laptop dies on you due to corrosion.
If the keyboard is well separated from the rest by a membrane that might not be a risk though. Doesn't the manual say anything? Maybe you could take out the keyboard and put in in the dishwasher, and use an external keyboard until the regular one is good and dry.

Oh, and instead of signing away your first-born, they might be satisfied with just the naming rights, and Mac isn't too bad a name. ;)

What's the best way to dissolve intense sugar treacle from a keyboard - is it going to require some dismantling?Only if you suspect that the Red Bull seeped in between the keys. You'll have to remove the keys individually before cleaning the bit underneath them.
(I am being sarcastic; I have no reason to believe it hasn't seeped in between the keys.)

Trained ants might work.

Honest guv, I was at a BBQ using my laptop for music when someone spilled Red Bull on the keyboard. It shut down but it's ok, I quickly removed the battery and turned it upside down.

However, the keys are still very treacly and it's really bugging me, specifically the left shift key since it takes a good 5 seconds to rise so I'm constantly getting CAPS.

What's the best way to dissolve intense sugar treacle from a keyboard - is it going to require some dismantling?

My initial solution is to take out the battery and then blast the keyboard with deodorant spray, given it has alcohol, in the hope it will work.

Any better solutions?

Ohh my disovled sugar from a keyboard. Professional help, or new lappie mate.

I think I found your problem.
You have a laptop.
And a mac at that.

ok ok..sorry.
If it does have a protecting membrane and removable keys,
maybe you can try to just replace them?

I think I found your problem.
You have a laptop.
And a mac at that.

Dude, that's just low. Mind you, I didn't say that I disagree with you, but still...

Dude, that's just low. Mind you, I didn't say that I disagree with you, but still...

I know, I just couldn't resist such an opportunity.
I did apologize in the same breath though.

I've never cleaned the keyboard on a laptop, but on a regular keyboard I pop all the keys out and use q-tips dipped in isopropyl. Tedious, but effective.

(I kind of have a THING with cleaning keyboards, house phones and TV remotes, they just get so GROSS!)

The best way I've found of cleaning a keyboard is to first find a picture on the internet of a QWERTY keyboard, leave it up on the screen.

Then take a bread knife and put it horizontally under a key, gently lift the key and pop it out. Repeat. You can work in small sections of the keyboard, but get out a Q-tip that is slightly damp (if you have a sticky mess) and clean both the area around where the key sits and the key itself, basically anything that's dirty. Do this for the whole keyboard...except the spacebar. The space bar has two springs and a hinge, removing it is tricky and putting it back is trickier. The space and enter keys have hinges, those are usually greased so don't clean them too much, just a little wipe to get the sugary gunk off (unless you can't get the sugary junk off without getting the grease off, I'm not sure what kind of grease it is).

It's tedious, but it's thorough.

edit: Oh, I'm good at reading... I don't know what to do for laptops, use google (look up your laptop type, manufacturer and clean keyboard) I'm sure someone else has had this same problem before.