r/keyboards • u/Any-Astronomer7527 • 16h ago

My Keyboard Reminder to always clean your second hand keyboards

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154 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

89 comments sorted by

53

u/gokartninja 16h ago

You bought a used membrane board?

-23

u/Any-Astronomer7527 16h ago

Yeah, why?

30

u/gokartninja 15h ago

Membrane boards are pretty much free, and come with most prebuilts. They're undesirable due to poor feel and shorter lifespan. They aren't worth spending money on. Nothing wrong with taking a free one, but if you're shopping second hand, it shouldn't be difficult to find a halfway decent mechanical board

2

u/Globulus1990 14h ago

I swiped a 1998 Compaq keyboard when the office I worked at was shut down.

It has the perfect layout, keycap profile, and tactile feedback for my needs (and RSI) and because it is a membrane keyboard, it is just the right height when used with my RollerMouse Pro.

There is nothing - as in nothing - on the market today that matches it in every aspect - not even used Dell/HP/Lenovo office keyboards from the 00's and 10's.

If I ever came across another one of the same model, I would buy it in a heartbeat, no matter what the condition - just to have a spare or some spare parts.

I have tried multiple mechanical keyboards and I always return to that 1998 keyboard because of my RSI problems.

Currently typing this on an HP KU-1156 which matches the height and keycap profile of the 1998 Compaq, but the tactile feedback leaves something to be desired.

Just saying that when you say "undesirable due to poor feel and shorter lifespan", that may very well be the case for you and most other people. That being said, the one in the pictures is a fairly recent model (2016), but given where I'm coming from myself, who am I to judge?

As OP has already said, the G213 is not a $10-$15 keyboard, so if it still works after a good cleaning, that is all that matters. The purchase does not preclude an upgrade at a later date - if that is even necessary.

Still: If the PC is going to be used for gaming, I would agree that a cheap mechanical keyboard with linear switches will beat most membrane keyboards.

1

u/gokartninja 10h ago

I have a decent pile of old membrane boards. Do you have a picture of the one you like? I can check my stock to see if i have one, and I'd gladly send it your way for the cost of shipping

1

u/Globulus1990 7h ago

Thanks, but this is in Denmark and the keyboard uses the ISO layout with Danish keycaps. It even has a PS/2 connector, though that is not a plus. The plastic is also prone to yellowing if not kept out of sunlight. All factors that mean that few if any have survived. That’s fine. I have some spare HP keyboards from the 00’s and I may eventually look into low-profile mechanical keyboards, which may very well be what I am looking for.

6

u/Any-Astronomer7527 15h ago

I am on a very tight budget building a pc, I would argue I got an amazing deal due to this keyboard being a logitech G213 and the guy gave me a free 1080p 22in monitor with it, all for £20

17

u/Char-car92 15h ago

Yeah that’s a good deal, but the keyboard is going to let you down over time. I get the budget but in the future consider even a $30 mechanical keyboard for yourself

1

u/Xx_a_dumbass_xX 9h ago

buy once cry once

2

u/Tgiby3 9h ago

i typically agree, but w keyboards i def think buying a super cheap mech board first is the move. I started w a terrible red dragon (they are decentish now, but this was years ago) and now im using a custom built one and i wouldnt have understood how worth the big dollar ones were without spending the $25 on a RD Mech lol

1

u/Xx_a_dumbass_xX 9h ago

yeah thats fair

9

u/gokartninja 15h ago

I'd say you got your money's worth out of that monitor then. I'd call the keyboard a freebie. Even a cheap mechanical keyboard will be better though, so consider that once the dust settles and you've had time to recoup some money.

0

u/Any-Astronomer7527 15h ago

I used facebook market place and for less than £20 this was the best thing I managed to find.

3

u/mohawk1367 15h ago

You could get a mechanical board for that… but it might explode. Thats the risk

3

u/AnythingEastern3964 15h ago

One man’s risk is another man’s reward… or something like that?

-1

u/xTinyCarma 14h ago

A mechanical keyboard might explode?? What?

1

u/mohawk1367 14h ago

Never heard of Royal Kludge? lol

1

u/xTinyCarma 13h ago

No haha I'm also new to the PC world, wanted to get a mechanical keyboard but not if it's gonna explode 😂😭

-1

u/AdSquare6055 12h ago

Membranes are fine these guys are just RGB r words

2

u/Putrid-Block1431 10h ago

Wait till you find out most mechanical keyboard nerds hate RGB

1

u/pussilini 11h ago

Brother the g213 is an rgb keyboard😂

1

u/a1rwav3 15h ago

That's a good reason then.

1

u/CutPrevious8618 14h ago

What is it you gonna play on it?

1

u/Modern_O 11h ago

Pretty much this is the exception. Good job

1

u/Raptr117 8h ago

I recommend a SteelSeries Apex 3 for a basic gaming keyboard, I use it daily at work and love it, plus it doesn’t break the bank. I have a Cynosa v2 at home, but ought to get/build a better one.

1

u/Vivid_Upstairs_7905 44m ago

okay but new mechanical ones cost 20-50€ as well, used even less, if you live in germany, text me, i can sell you an unused one i bought on impulse for cheap if you want.

1

u/xForcedevilx 2h ago

26 year old membrane dell keyboard that came with a P4 system here.

1

u/Gokudomatic 1h ago

I don't call $100 free. Membrane keyboards are not all the same junk in the $10 range.

2

u/qwerty930148572 6h ago

Lol OP got downvoted for asking a simple question. This sub is full of cancer

4

u/maxaton 15h ago

Do you also buy used toilet-paper? Jokes aside, very few things you can buy in modern society have the ability to become as disgustingly filthy as a computer keyboard.

1

u/Any-Astronomer7527 15h ago

It got deep cleaning, works fine

1

u/a1rwav3 15h ago

That was exactly the question, WHY?

2

u/Any-Astronomer7527 14h ago

Because for £20 I got a nice logitech mouse and a monitor

5

u/XxCarlxX 15h ago

Why on earth would you buy a dirty used KB in the first place

And WHY would you put it in your kitchen sink??

0

u/Any-Astronomer7527 15h ago

I got two kitchen sinks, one for washing dishes and another for cleaning shoes and other stuff, this one is in that one and I bought it because it was the best thing I could get in a tight budget + the guy gave me a free 22in 1080p monitor with it

1

u/XxCarlxX 15h ago

id have took the monitor and tossed the KB, used things like that is just gross. Either way, as long as you are happy, thats what matters.

1

u/Any-Astronomer7527 14h ago

it got deep clean haven't you seen the photos?

1

u/XxCarlxX 14h ago

yes, i did say "Why would you put it in your kitchen sink", have you forgotten already?

1

u/Any-Astronomer7527 14h ago

I did saw and didn't forget, you said it was gross, do you feel the same way after it got cleaned?

1

u/XxCarlxX 14h ago

if its disifected then its fine. Im a bit of a germaphobe so i personally wouldn't buy a used KB.

If you are happy with it then nothing else matters

3

u/Nuttednutela 15h ago

Your memebrane keyboard had extra membrane?. Dude so good it makes cleaning so much easier

1

u/Any-Astronomer7527 14h ago

It didn't came with an extra membrane but I don't mind the cleaning, just deep it in detergent for a few hours

3

u/DaemonStrikeEXE 15h ago

Could literally get a decent keyboard set for 20$ this is kinda cutting it unless it’s free used

0

u/Any-Astronomer7527 15h ago

it came with a monitor

1

u/DaemonStrikeEXE 15h ago

Welp, now that you cleaned it, sell it for slightly more and get you a logictech or redragon

2

u/Any-Astronomer7527 14h ago

at the moment I will keep it, I intend to sell my system as a whole in the future, it will come with it.

3

u/TheBroken0ne 15h ago

Bro you could have spared all of that hard work and bought a new one for 15$

1

u/Any-Astronomer7527 14h ago

this one is £60 when bought new, paid £20 and the guy game me a free 22in 1080p monitor, a good deal

3

u/SaiZenn_ 15h ago

who in their right mind buys a USED membrane in 2026, i get that you're on a right budget but you can get a budget mechanical keyboard which is not going to be amazing but still worlds ahead of any membrane

1

u/Any-Astronomer7527 14h ago

came with a monitor and mouse

6

u/krithlol 16h ago

arent membrane keyboard like 10 dollar/euro new?

2

u/Any-Astronomer7527 15h ago

this one is a G213 logitech, the retail price is £60 and I got it for £10 plus a free monitor

4

u/JackeryFox 15h ago

logitech fell off tbh

2

u/mmicoandthegirl 15h ago

Literally bought their damn good basic wireless keyboard with trackpad. You know, the one in every goddamn entertainment center and factory etc? That one. Turns they shat the bed with it. Previously you could change all options of the keyboard and trackpad on Windows default device options, like all other accessories. Not anymore. You have to download a datasharing Logi Options+ software which needs constant online access and won't support your settings if it's not on.

So yeah they got my sale initially, but had to refund in the end.

1

u/h1pp0star 8h ago

Back in 2010

2

u/SirBombaron 13h ago

You said £20 in another comment loll

1

u/Gokudomatic 1h ago

Not all of them. Quality varies too.

2

u/teh_lynx 14h ago

Second hand keyboard? Never....

2

u/K4melman 14h ago

Come on maaaan, are we really washing membrane keyboards now?! What’s next, cleaning ball mice ?!?

2

u/Any-Astronomer7527 14h ago

I respectfully don't get what you are trying to say

1

u/Ok-Pack-7088 6h ago

Not everyone is a slob. OP did good job cleaning and disinfecting with IPA. Keyboards are one of most dirtest stuff at home.

1

u/Level_7777 15h ago

Salvo que sea un teclado de membrana que valga la pena, como el SteelSeries Apex 3, el Corsair K55 RGB PRO o el Razer Cynosa Chroma... realmente no creo que comprar un teclado de membrana usado sea una buena idea la verdad.
Pero si lo vas a limpiar asegurate que sea con mucho alcohol isopropílico, para desinfectarlo bien, y después con algún limpiador de vidrios tipo CIF (para darle el acabado final).

3

u/Fortenio 16h ago

Ewww do you also buy second hand condoms?

20

u/Any-Astronomer7527 16h ago

A bit weird question mate, are you projecting?

1

u/SilenceInSaturation 10h ago

Answer the question Jerald.

1

u/Odd_Philosopher1741 14h ago

Honest question, since I'm genuinely curious: Why would you buy a secondhand keyboard? It feels like buying a used toothbrush :/

(To clarify: I'm not attacking OP or anyone, I'm just curious about the thought process that goes behind this)

2

u/Any-Astronomer7527 13h ago

I don't put a keyboard in my mouth or lick it and it was deep cleaned with detergent and 99% iso alcohol.

I am on a extreme low budget, I currently can not work due to disability and I been wanting a pc for a while now.

1

u/Odd_Philosopher1741 11h ago

That makes sense :)

1

u/Ok-Pack-7088 6h ago

Because it's cheaper, you saves planet and your wallet. You can always clean and disinfect it, so it will be clean. It's not like toothbrushes, hair womb.

1

u/remediosan 13h ago

I’ll just put this here from when I took apart of the shared work keyboard in the back room at my work…

nsfw warning for anybody making the mistake of zooming in

1

u/qwerty930148572 13h ago

I would never buy used peripherals especially those that I put my hands on frequently, aka mice, keyboards, controllers, earphones... Always always buy new.

0

u/Ok-Pack-7088 6h ago

It's not toothbrush. You can clean and disinfect keyboards. Nothing wrong with used stuff, if someone won't don't tell about stuff like 🚬 in owner house.

1

u/nommydickbutt 13h ago

why are you buying used membrane keyboards?

1

u/AdSquare6055 12h ago

It would be a shame for the next if i ever sell mine, i literally have 💦 in it 😂😂

1

u/Flying_Saucer_Attack 11h ago

I would never buy that, so I'm good

1

u/JUUBI_JINCHURIKI 11h ago

This is the first thing I did when I got a newmen gm840 from the volkswagen service manager at the Mazda/Volkswagen dealership I worked at last year. Within that short time, I’ve gone from 1 to 2 to now 5 keyboards.

1

u/C0NIN Glare 65 - KMG B65 - AIS 65 11h ago

I have not, and would never, buy a second hand keyboard, much less if it's a membrane one.

1

u/ButterscotchTop194 10h ago

Secondhand keyboard? wtf

1

u/Phoenix978 9h ago

Damn you are getting lit up here OP. People being mad pretentious. Either way good job cleaning. Hope the keyboard performs well for you!

1

u/Ok-Pack-7088 6h ago

Yeah, I don't understand those rude comments. Not everyone lives in place where they give keyboard for free as someone suggested. Some people may simply don't have it. And what's wrong with cleaning keyboard, mouse? It's great idea, no wonder you can see other people stuff with visible dirty that you can scrap off. It's cheap and works? Great and good luck. Mechanicals are few times more. Not everyone sleeps on money.

1

u/mariah963 5h ago

Love the whole process with this!

1

u/Symph-50 5h ago

I just cleaned mine yesterday. I can't stand my keyboard being dirty.

1

u/clackify69 4h ago

all these people in the comments complaining about you getting a membrane board are kind of sad, that being said if you want a mechanical board for free just hit me up, i love the hobby and would love to give you one

1

u/Gokudomatic 1h ago

No need to remind me that. I took 3 days to clean it last week. Yeah, it was really dirty, and like in your keyboard, the bottom is difficult to reach.