My Regretful Laptop Key Cleaning Adventure

We’ve all had those moments when we think a thorough cleaning will yield nothing but positive results. It’s the classic case of “TIFU”—Today I F’d Up. Recently, I found myself swept up in the urge to deep clean my laptop, and let me tell you, the consequences were far from pleasing.

A few months ago, I had a little mishap with an energy drink while working. The combination of a rolling desk, a carpet, and my clumsiness resulted in a sticky situation—quite literally! Although the keys became a bit tacky, it dried up fairly quickly and, aside from some minor grittiness, it wasn’t much of an issue. I could live with the little nuisances until impulsive cleaning took over.

Fueled by a moment of productivity (perhaps my ADHD meds kicked in), I decided to take on the project of removing and cleaning every key. It was a daunting task! I spent an entire day meticulously prying off the keys and clearing out the dust from the vents and ports. At the time, I felt accomplished; I thought I’d finally tackled that gross buildup of grime.

However, my victory was short-lived. Upon reassembling my laptop, I discovered a host of new problems. The green keys no longer functioned, and even worse, my number pad’s #4 key was stuck down, while other keys were rendered practically unusable. Admittedly, I had also sacrificed a tiny white piece and a little metal foot during the process, which has left my left shift and #4 key hanging on by a thread—still functional, but not without issues.

Now, I’m left with a machine that struggles with basic tasks like adjusting the volume! Most of the keys I rarely use aside from the essentials, but it’s incredibly frustrating to think that my cleaning efforts have led to a potential downgrade in usability.

So here I am, pondering what to do next. Do I attempt to redo the entire key cleaning process? Should I just let it be and adapt my usage? Or is it time to start searching for a new laptop—one that handles games without requiring a second mortgage?

If anyone has recommendations for reliable gaming laptops that won’t break the bank, I’d love to hear your thoughts! And if you’ve ever had a similar cleaning saga, please share your experiences—misery loves company, after all!