Hardware Getting rid of cigarette smell?

[YayMii]

Hey, I bought a (slightly used) mechanical keyboard off of Kijiji, but the previous owner was a smoker. The keyboard smells awful. Anybody know a quick way of getting rid of the smell? Thanks in advance.

 

[EMP Knightmare]

Honestly I'd say wipe it down with a paper towel and a scented cleaner of some kind. Nothing to harsh though

 

[YayMii]

I've already wiped it down, and most of the odor seems to be coming from inside the keyboard.

 

[EMP Knightmare]

Well maybe taking it apart and letting it air out some would be of some help

 

[Wombo Combo]

Dunk it in a gallon of febreze. I would wipe it down with disinfectant and then rub a rag with febreze on it not to damage the keyboard.

 

[Gahars]

Lose the sense of smell. Bam, problem solved.

 

[Depravo]

Lose the sense of smell. Bam, problem solved.

Yep, that's how I did it.

 

[Originality]

I would do what you shouldn't do - spray it with air freshener until you drown out the smell.

 

[Sanoblue]

take apart n wash non mechanical parts in dish water
rest of sensitive parts....
wash with alcohol and cotton swabs....

Profit?

 

[tbgtbg]

Someone on another board was asking this about used Transformers smelling of cigarette smoke. People suggested getting a large plastic tub w/lid and putting the items in there along with an open box of baking soda for a few days. After trying it the guy said it worked really well.

 

[ComeTurismO]

OH, this is pretty simple. Open it up, let fresh air from the outdoors do the job for 10-15 minutes.

 

[Walker D]

People use to say that rice is good to absorb humidity and coffee absorbs odors..

Never tried that, but you could open the keyboard up, put rice with coffee on it, and let it rest for a week..
It's worth a try I guess (even though it could smell a bit like coffee after )

Ah, and as tbgtbg said, soda absorbs odors too..

 

[tbgtbg]

OH, this is pretty simple. Open it up, let fresh air do the job.

That would take forever, if it works at all.

 

[Smuff]

Keep a large "dog egg" on a dish next to the keyboard and I guaran-fucking-tee you won't notice the cigarette odour any longer.
My pleasure.

 

[J-Machine]

cleaning what you can see with rubbing alcohol and sealing the keyboard in a container/bag with loose baking soda, and finally letting it air out for an afternoon is the best option. you need to clean off the tar and remove the odour after to rid it of its smell.

 

[Lacius]

I had a similar problem with some used Wii Remotes. What you want to do is regularly apply vinegar to the keyboard until the cigarette smell is permanently gone. It'll take a few applications.

"But Lacius, doesn't vinegar smell horrible?"

Yeah, but the vinegar smell is only temporary. The cigarette smell won't go away unless you do something about it.

 

[Ericthegreat]

the baking soda idea sounds best / easyest if it works.

 

[YayMii]

I was asking for a quick way of getting rid of the smell, so I don't think taking it apart would be very "quick".
But I'll give rubbing alcohol or vinegar a try.

 

[Lacius]

I was asking for a quick way of getting rid of the smell, so I don't think taking it apart would be very "quick".
But I'll give rubbing alcohol or vinegar a try.

Alcohol isn't going to do much good; vinegar breaks down the resin and tar causing the cigarette smell.

 

[ShadowSoldier]

Well, if you want to get rid of the smell of smoke, I say cover it in dog poop. But then you have dog poop to worry about... shit, I'm stumped.