I was cooking near my keyboard and spilled about a tablespoon of oil on my keyboard. (I know I know, should've had a keyboard cover. Learned my lesson.) Now many keys are difficult to use (though none are dead). Advice?
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Help - oil spill on keyboard?
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Sorry, I don't have advice, but I just wanted to say it's funny that you say you should've had a keyboard cover and don't even mention you probably shouldn't have been cooking with oil next to your MacBook.. haha
I would disassemble the computer taking out the motherboard etc and clean the mobo and keyboard with 97+% alcohol. I don't think typical cooking oil is conductive but it is likely corrosive. You can probably get away with taking off the chiclet keys and cleaning however.
yusukeaoki
macrumors 68030
He knows where his priority lies: EATING! 😀
Good lord, I eat and surf but cooking? Wow, there always someone more hard core than you.
iAppl3Fan
macrumors 6502a
No! The lesson learned is not a keyboard skin. The lesson learned should be NOT to use your computer in the kitchen.
If you need it for recipes then use an iPad or a cheap/old computer and the consequences aren't as dire. Be ready to buy a new computer because that one is a goner.
If you need it for recipes then use an iPad or a cheap/old computer and the consequences aren't as dire. Be ready to buy a new computer because that one is a goner.
AlphaDogg
macrumors 68040
Do you work for BP?
Sorry, couldn't resist.
There's not much you can do at this point unless you want to take out the keyboard from the unibody and soak it in a waterless degreaser (something like odorless mineral spirits), but I'm not sure how well that'll mesh with the plastics in the keyboard's circuit membrane.
Sorry, couldn't resist.
There's not much you can do at this point unless you want to take out the keyboard from the unibody and soak it in a waterless degreaser (something like odorless mineral spirits), but I'm not sure how well that'll mesh with the plastics in the keyboard's circuit membrane.
Interstella5555
macrumors 603
Yeah, I have my MBP and phone in the kitchen with me, but never sharing a space where I'm actually using preparing food.
mrsir2009
macrumors 604
It would be best to open it up and clean it thoroughly, as that oil could soak in and do damage worse than making the keys hard to use. But unfortunately to get to the underside of the keyboard you have to take the whole computer apart... If your not capable of that or don't know a friend that could help you do it then you could try getting away with simply taking the keys off and cleaning as much oil out as possible, then turn the laptop upside down for a few days so as much of the remaining oil can come out - You might get away with it 🙂