Spilled Tea over the Keyboard

It would take way too long to clean out each switch and make sure that all the paths are clean and unshorted. Just buy a new keyboard. Or you could try the dishwasher method... Just remember to turn off the heated dry cycle! :)

Unless it is a high end keyboard, it is not likely that you are going to come out ahead trying to clean it up. I've tried a few back when keyboards were much more expensive than they are now and I still had no real luck. Most of the damage to electronic components occurred at the point when it was wet. The \W is a pretty good indication that something is wacky with the electronics.

However, if you want to try:
1. Unplug the keyboard from the computer (sorry if this sounds insulting, but I'm amazed at how many people don't know there is an electric current in the keyboard).
2. Take off the key caps -- if you don't have the QWERTY keypad memorized, you may want to write it down first. If you are really gutsy, skip this step.
3. Wash as much as you can with warm water. Unfortunately, water is the best solvant for sugar and the worst thing for electronics. Obviously the key caps can be soaked in hot soapy water. If you are really gutsy, soak the keyboard (don't use soap though).
4. Blow dry everything and let stand at least 24 hours. If there is any hint that the keyboard may even be remotely damp, let it dry some more.

At the point that you plug it in to try again, you will find that it miraculously work -- or you made it worse.

My real suggestion is -- go to the store and buy a $16 keyboard.

You obviously are adept enough to open a keyboard, so while there try swabbing with a bit of rubbing alcohol. Although warned not to use on printer rollers, rubbing alcohol seems to work well when needing to clean electronics as it evaporates quickly.

Thanks for those tips.

My keyboard is 5 years old, HP. A good one that has served my family nicely. Yup, I did unplug the keyboard from the computer. After I swabbed, I cleaned it with a damp paper towel and dried it out (I also gave it a small ewwwwwww treatment:-)).

I did not remove the key caps though. Thought it would be pretty intensive work.

I will try, tonite, cleaning it with some alochol, and if still does not work send it to the recycling bin. Time to buy a nice ergonomic keyboard.

A few years ago Fred Langa (www.langalist.com) delt with this problem.
He suggested that many PC bits could actually be washed in a dishwasher aand then dried, including floppy drives and mpother boards but only as a last resort.
But as keyboards onlyu cost a few pounds,is it worth it?
But to remove tea/milk/sugar, it might be worth washging it in the sink, take it apart as much as you can, then dry it in the sun, or in the airing cupboard or with a hair dryer,then put it together again. Use a liquid rather than a powder detergent.
Most electric things can be washed and dried, so long as they arn't still connected to the mains at the time.

First thing: power down, take keyboard apart. Rinse off all parts with warm tap water, though you may need Windex or alcohol for nastier stuff. Be sure to separate the layers on membrane key switches. Let dry completely. Reassemble (you do know where each key goes?) and it should work. The key is to get power off quickly and get liquid out. If sugary or salty liquid stays on the circuit traces they tend to disappear or change into green goo.

This quick wash and dry has saved dunked big 2-way radios, organ keyboards, mice, Pepsied ham radios and switches. This is also the procedure for the white powdery stuff from leaking alkaline batteries. You get to brush or rub the rest of this off.

Have a keyboard that's had Pepsi in it 3 times, no longer have drink at or around computer!

Take the kyeboard appart and wash it out with hot water. let set for a long time to dry reassemble and try it again.