Is there a safe way to clean under the keys? Dell Inspiron?

My son tells me that the compressed air can freeze up the works..However, there is something 'floating' under my keys..( I suspect maybe dog hair? Anyway, the keys take turns not working for a day or so..right now the X is lopsided, and hard to make work..

Is there a safe way to clean under the keys? Dell Inspiron?

Your son is right, sorta. The machine runs very warm and the aircan can cause a rapid and uneven change in internal temperature which could cause damage to sensitive electronic parts such as the hard drive. The speed at which the temp changes and its pattern is what causes the damage not the cold. Short of removing your keyboard, with your laptop turned off and at room temperature you can use short blast of compressed air and a vacuum. Also, many computer stores can clean it for you for a small price. I don't recommend putting any thing in the water.

Is there a safe way to clean under the keys? Dell Inspiron?

ok your ready for this? I unscrew the keyboard parts and wash them in the bathtub , dry really good with hair dryer and then it's good as new

Is there a safe way to clean under the keys? Dell Inspiron?

The person above is sort of right, but his method is a little too risque in my (computer pro) opinion. Pry off all the keys (they pop right back on, no problem) and use a shop vac and/or compressed air. Compressed air isn't going to hurt anything, unless you turn the can upside down, but why would you do that?

Also, if you're keyboard is this nasty, then you should probably vacuum out your computer too. TURN OFF the computer and UNPLUG it. Remove 2 screws on the edge in the back and use the shop vac in there as well - just don't be rough. Heat and dust are the main killers of computers.

Is there a safe way to clean under the keys? Dell Inspiron?

Not true!

Hold the keyboard upside down then use the compressed air.

Use short blasts!

I do it all the time. I support close to 200 PC's

Have fun but be safe!

Is there a safe way to clean under the keys? Dell Inspiron?

The compressed air will not freeze up the inner workings of your PC. Since it is a laptop they are built to be water-proof, to an certain extent, so nothing will freeze.

As for the dog hair, the keys are fitted quit well on machines so you could do what I have done in the past. Just take a normal vacuum to it, be sure to use the head with the soft bristles.

This should do the trick.

Is there a safe way to clean under the keys? Dell Inspiron?

I really love the first response, but make sure you dont use hard water!

Canned air needs to be help UPRIGHT, or you will get a freezing cold propellant.

Whatever you do, dont use a vacuume cleaner, you'll end up losing your keys!!