Are Keyboards Dishwasher Safe? 534
i_like_spam writes "Computer keyboards are a breeding ground for bacteria. Studies have shown that keyboards often contain more bacteria than toilet seats. Common cleaning methods, such as pressurized-air canisters and damp rags, help remove some of the dirt, but they also leave behind plenty of grime. National Public Radio describes a recent experiment by a reporter who used a dishwasher to clean her keyboard. Following the advice on Plastic Bugs, she placed her keyboard in the top rack, didn't use the heated dry cycle, and air dried the keyboard for a week afterwards. Her keyboard is now squeaky clean and functions perfectly. Has anyone else tried this or any other alternate keyboards cleaning methods? For those not willing to air dry for a week, dishwasher-safe keyboards are now available. Would you ever do this to your peripheral? "
Easier Solution... (Score:2, Insightful)
Wash you damn hands!
No, but.. (Score:3, Insightful)
most things are cleaner than a toilet seat (Score:5, Insightful)
Don't you get tired of hearing how things are cleaner than a toilet seat? As proven on Mythbusters, almost everything is dirtier than a toilet seat, the floor, the counter, your mouth, your hands, all contain more bacteria than a toilet seat. So people, stop with the toilet seat analogies, they are meaningless!
Re:So cheap (Score:5, Insightful)
We have nothing to fear but fear itself (Score:3, Insightful)
Nope. But then I don't share the [seemingly] common pathological fear of bacteria that's been created in the last decade or so.
Re:Better disinfectant : ethanol or propanol (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Shower (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:So cheap (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Bacteria, fungi, and viruses are everywhere. (Score:5, Insightful)
The human body is a complex, self-regulating organism. If you life your whole life in a super-sanitized bubble, soaked in distilled water and shielded from the sun's "harmful" rays, the very instant you step outside into the real world you'll drop dead. I'm not saying we should go about our daily chores covered in filth, but I certainly don't live my life in fear of microscopic critters. We humans have been around for thousands of years, well guess what: even the Neanderthal managed to survive, and while they didn't have the pollution problems of industrialization, they certainly didn't have hyper-filtered water and Purell lotion. We may be smarter and more productive than our far ancestors, but we've become big pussies.
Re:Bacteria, fungi, and viruses are everywhere. (Score:2, Insightful)
If it's you home keyboard, I think this is less of an issue, just given the lower number of people using the device.