Does dishwashing a keyboard really work?

Last week my keyboard drank 1/2 a bottle of beer. Needless to say, its not responding so well now -- I think its still drunk.

I tried to clean it with a damp cloth and I let it sit for a handful of days. When I plugged it back in, it was still a little tipsy.

So, I just pulled the trigger. I opened my dishwasher and threw it in. I'm hoping this works.

Anybody know if I have to really wait "5" more days for it to dry out? Isn't one day in the sun enough? I just ruined it didn't I?

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asked on Jul 8, 2008

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comments and reviews

I accidentally laundered my phone a couple a years ago. Never worked again. Maybe Cascade is better for electronics than Tide.

When Laney threw up all over my old laptop the whole thing just went straight to the trash -- perfect excuse to buy a new one.

#1 - posted on Jul 9, 2008 (10:25 am)

My phone ended up in the wash before too. Screen was a little messed up, but otherwise it worked fine.

That's part of the reason I'm holding out that this might work.

fingers crossed.

#2 (reply to #1) - posted on Jul 9, 2008 (11:12 am)

It depends on the brand of keyboard. If it's no frills from Frys (or worse) who knows. Better keyboards tend to fair better from my understanding. I think a day in the sun is fine.

I did this a few years ago after a soda-related accident on an Apple keyboard. It worked, though I only soaked it in warm, soapy water: I didn't subject it to high pressure.

#3 - posted on Jul 9, 2008 (1:32 pm)

That's great news. This is an apple keyboard too (wireless).

I'm still a little nervous to try it out after just one day in the sun, but you're helping me to be more confident NOT waiting the full 5 days.

#4 (reply to #3) - posted on Jul 9, 2008 (2:16 pm)

Ah....a wireless keyboard...good luck with that one and applying all that dishwasher heat to the bluetooth module. Here's hoping for the best. You are in uncharted territory now.

#5 - posted on Jul 9, 2008 (2:22 pm)

This was a timely post to Digg:
http://www.toxel.com/tech/2008/07/08/really-cool-waterproof-keyboard/

#6 - posted on Jul 10, 2008 (6:40 am)

The verdict is in...sort of.

I took the keyboard out from under the sun,
put the batteries back in, power light on...good.

apple-tab, cycled through my apps...good.

apple-space for a spotlight search...
apple-space for a spotlight search....hello?
apple-space for a spotlight search....doesn't work

open up TextEdit, "]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]][[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[["...not so good.

We'll, the wash didn't fix the problem but, it didn't seem to make it much worse either. I'm not sure what lesson we've learned here (except maybe to keep food and drink away from the keyboard.)

Of course as I say that I'm eyeing a can of soda inches from where I type now.

Some people just don't learn.

#7 - posted on Jul 10, 2008 (2:02 pm)

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