Char Jackson wrote:

Ken Blake wrote:
Char Jackson wrote:
Paul wrote:
T wrote:

I have a old off white keyboard that adore in my shop. The
keys are starting to look a bit nasty.

I have tried rubbing alcohol and vinegar and nothing seems to
clean it up.

Any words of wisdom.

Word of warning.

"Too much cleaning equals broken keyboard"

On my previous keyboard, I frequently took it apart at the
membrane level, and washed things off. And cleaned the cover of
stuff. Those kinds of operations seemed pretty innocuous (I
wasn't "grinding on stuff").

Then one day, I decided to remove the key caps. And that caused
enough damage that I had to bin it.

The keycaps on my IBM Model M keyboards look like they're meant
to pop off for cleaning. Mine have been off and on many times
over the years.

Don't get so carried away cleaning it that you ruin it.

Remember the old advice to toss the keyboard into the automatic
dishwasher? I've never done that, but I know quite a few people
who did. That was back in the 80s/90s, so probably not good
advice now.

I'm different in this respect from almost all the rest of you. If
my keyboard gets old and and dirty, I just toss it out and buy a
new one. They're inexpensive, unless you want a very fancy
expensive one; I don't.

I have an $11 keyboard around here somewhere and I'd do as you do
regarding that one. However, I bought a dozen IBM Model M's for $1
each from a office supply recycler about 20 years ago and those
things are too good to throw away. Not to mention that I see
they're going for about $200 on Ebay now.

Got a link?
Not holding my breath.

Maybe I shouldn't have dropped 6 of them off at Goodwill last
year.

You can get a lot of money for an ancient IBM keyboard. Please let
us know how your sales turn out, seriously. Post the link! Nobody
will complain.