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Most of the grime on keyboards is the product of contact with your fingers, not dust. I don't know that the cloth trick would do much.

Then again, my keyboard is very rarely not in use, except while I'm sleeping.

Fingers are the source of much grime, but, unless you live in a clean room, there is bound to be particles floating around that will eventually settle.
 
Do keyboards really get that dirty?

I'm have mine now for almost 2yrs and have wiped it with a screen cleaner twice (mainly because I spilt chocolate and tea on it) and it is really not dirty enough to warrant me thinking about cleaning it???
 
Do keyboards really get that dirty?

I'm have mine now for almost 2yrs and have wiped it with a screen cleaner twice (mainly because I spilt chocolate and tea on it) and it is really not dirty enough to warrant me thinking about cleaning it???

The way to check:

1. Hold keyboard about 12" off the table surface.

2. Turn keyboard upside down.

3. Shake.

4. Whack the keyboard in different directions while shaking.

5. Wipe off the crap that fell onto the table.
 
A) The Apple keyboards are so cheap you could just buy a new one

B) I use pure alcohol to clean under my keys, as it evaporates almost instantly
 
Do keyboards really get that dirty?

I'm have mine now for almost 2yrs and have wiped it with a screen cleaner twice (mainly because I spilt chocolate and tea on it) and it is really not dirty enough to warrant me thinking about cleaning it???

you should have seen the one we had for the shop (used an old eMac to play music via iTunes)

that thing seriously was gross to touch with gloves on. 10 times worse than the link i posted. i took it home and cleaned it for about 2 or 3 hours - took all the keys off, put them in the sink full of water+soap

and completely took off the backing - thought i would have cut out a new piece of white paper but i was able to get the gunk off it w/o ruining it - the whole nine yards


sold it on craigslist for 35 bucks - perfectly functional, like new.
 
Probably more important than the visible dirt is the bacteria on the keys. I wipe down all keyboards and remotes in my house once a week with a disinfecting wipe.

Just got home and it is pretty late, so I'll clean my keyboard in the morning.

I'd like to point out though that unless you switch the active ingredient in the antibacterial wipe, the bacteria will eventually build an immunity to that ingredient, just like a human to diseases.
 
Update:

Took apart the keyboard and washed everything non electronic and non metal. My keyboard looks and feels brand new!

All the keys except for F14 and F15 still work, and I lost one screw that sandwiches the plastic between the top and bottom bits of the keyboard.

Thanks for all your help!:)
 
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