Keyboard and Optical Mouse Cleaning Solution

Mix:

  1. 50% iso-propyl alcohol (propan-2-ol).
    It dissolves the grime without dissolving glues of mouse pads or the ink of key legends. Other solvents such as ethanol could dissolve glues or lift the inks.
  2. 50% water
    Water cuts the flammability of the alcohol.
  3. A small quantity of dish detergent
    Detergent lifts the dissolved grime.
Use cotton wool pad to rub and allow 10 minutes to dry. Tilt keyboard upside down so solution does not drain into the keyboard.

Recipe courtesy of Philip Ross, U of Aberdeen, August 1994, SUN managers mailing list.

Last update: 2000 September 4