It’s finally happened! There is coffee spilled all over your keyboard. In order to save your keyboard, you need to act fast. This can work for a regular keyboard, laptop or wireless model.
update: one week later and my keyboard is doing great!
Items you need
- Paper Towels (a lot!)
- Windex glass cleaner
- Blowdryer
- A clean paintbrush
- Rubbing Alcohol
Just like a paramedic, the first thing you need to do is stabilize the patient
1. Turn the keyboard upside down so the keys are facing the floor.
2. Unplug the keyboard from your computer.
3. Pull off a handful of paper towels (about 5) and lay them down on a flat surface.
4. Lift the keyboard and place it on top of the papers towels.
5. Holding the keyboard in one hand (still facing down) and the mass of paper towels in the other hand, swiftly hit the keyboard against your hand to draw out as much sticky liquid as possible. Do this a few times and freshen up with new paper towels.
Now Revive the patient
6. Now turn the keyboard so it’s on the short side and spray the Windex a few times. Repeat step 5 to draw out the Coffee/Windex liquid. The goal is to start diluting the remaining coffee. Most modern keyboards have a thin plastic barrier between the keys and the circuit board. You are now working to prevent further damage.
7. Switch the keyboard on the other short end and repeat step 6. The goal is to not let the liquid pool.
8. If you’re lucky enough to have a clean paintbrush on hand (Think Gattaca), begin to draw the brush the long way between the rows of keys. This will help to draw the liquid away from the key springs. Wipe the brush off on a paper towel. Keep the keyboard moving.
9. If you’re also lucky enough to have rubbing alcohol, repeat steps 6 and 8 with rubbing alcohol. This will start the drying process.
10. Take the keyboard and paintbrush to meet Mr. Blowdryer. Hold the keyboard facing down while you alternate between hot and cool air. I put the keyboard between my knees for this part. Run your free hand across the keys the long way back and forth. This will keep the keys from getting stuck and help work the Windex and rubbing alcohol in.
Check for Vitals
11. Take a look at the keyboard and try a few keys. There may be certain keys like “Shift” or “Enter” that are sticky. Repeat the above process again on the entire keyboard and then spot treat.
Results
I was able to save my keyboard tonight by doing this and am typing this blog post on said keyboard. I am feeling some key stickiness so I plan to repeat the above process but I will surely be putting in an order a new keyboard from Newegg next week!
Did this work for you? Did you tweak it? Let me know!
