Step 1: Gather your required tools.
- You will need a good set of screwdrivers with the required sizes of Allen Keys. It’s probably the smallest available with any set. Check the back of the keyboard to confirm the size.
- You will need a household glass and equipment cleaner.
- A soft cotton cloth, preferably white. Colored cloth can leak color onto the keyboard and do more damage in the process.
- A used towel to dry off the keys.
- Some tissue paper to soak the excess liquid that fall off.
Note: The usability of the keyboard depends on how carefully one cleans it. The plastic is very fragile, more so if the keyboard has been used for last 5 years in a hot and dry climate. Things may be brittle and prone to breakage.
Warning:
- Don’t try this if the product is under any kind of warranty.
- Do not attempt if you don’t have a backup keyboard in place.
- There is a possibility that the keyboard may permanently get ruined in the process.
- Use your own judgement and evaluate your own risk.
Step 2: Do a complete cleaning of the surface of the keyboard with any available household cleaner.
Step 3: Start taking out the keys one by one using a regular key or a screw driver.
A close up of how to remove each key
Step 4: While taking out the keys, align and keep them in order so that you do not mess up the sequence. Note that all keys on this keyboard has the ‘legend’ on the bottom-left corner.
Step 4: Keep all keys organized
Step 5: Clean the keyboard with its keys removed with a used toothbrush or similar brush.
A closeup of the keyboard with the keys removed. Note: Do not use excess cleaner as they take time to dry and that could render the keyboard useless for a while even after putting back together.
Step 6: Remove the Allen Bolts at the back to access the insides of the keyboard.
Step 7: Use a soft brush to clean the dust from insides. Do not force anything as the wires are very fragile.
Step 8: Reverse the process and put back the keyboard in shape. Give the cleaning fluids a few minutes or hours to dry before firing it up.
Post author
Just to sign off, used the same keyboard to post the above article. The return key however has not woken up after the detailed bath. Sill waiting to see if it’s dead or just in a coma. Good luck!
Post author
2 hours more of drying and the Return Key works as well.
Morale of the story: Let the cleaning fluid dry.
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