How to take off keys from Dell Inspiron B120 Keyboard and clean them

All laptop keyboards collect an amazing amount of junk over time. The Dell Inspiron B120 Keyboard US is no different. Since it is a portable computer and it is probably bound to collect more filth in the keyboard than most desktop computers ever will. Many of like eating or drinking near the computer so the keyboard on mine usually collects some of the residue from this action.

collects some of the residue from this action.
Fortunately, the Dell Inspiron B120 Keyboard US is easy to clean. All the keycaps pop right off with some help from a fingernail or (more likely) a small screwdriver. A lot of laptop computers don’t let you take the keys off without risking significant damage to the keyboard itself. But it is very easy to do so with the Dell Inspiron B120 Keyboard . After take all the keys off the keyboard, then it is the time to clean them.

CAUTION: When using any liquid cleaner, read the directions on its use. Make sure the cleaner is safe for use on plastics. Do not use any abrasive cleaners or cleaning tools! Remove both the AC power and the battery from your Dell notebook. While very sparing amounts of cleaner should be used (and never sprayed on the keyboard itself!) leakage could cause damage in the form of electrical shorts. Without power applied the likelihood of letting any excess cleaner dry out and expecting normal operation afterward is much greater!

A vacuum cleaner may be of use to pick up any obviously loose dust before using a wet cleaning solution. After vacuuming (if needed), use a wet cleaning solution of your choosing and proceed to clean the keyboard. Apply the cleaner ONLY to a clean rag or whatever you are using to clean your Dell Inspiron keyboard. Do not apply cleaner directly to the keyboard. Wipe the lower keyboard area clean. Give it a few minutes to dry.

Cleaning a key by hand:

Take each keycap and clean it separately if needed. This can be done with the paper towel and wet cleaner. You can also use a dishwasher or washing machine to clean the keycaps as well. Simply place them in a heat-safe mesh bag and securely knot any open ends. Place the bag in the dishwasher or washing machine and use a low heat cycle with regular detergent or soap.
Dell used some type of plastic-safe lubricant to ensure smooth action from the keys. Use care when cleaning the keys by hand so as not to disturb this lubricating material. If you use a dishwasher or washing machine, the lubricating material will be removed. It is not essential to replace it, but you may find that the action of the keyboard is stiffer after reassembly. If this bothers you, a small amount of a plastic-safe lubricant may be used on the posts that are inserted into the keyboard base when the keycaps are pushed down.
Larger keys with support bars require that you insert each edge of the support bar into the corresponding track on the keyboard. To do this, line up the bars with the tracks, and slide them into place. The flip the keycap down and push it firmly into place. It will make a “pop” noise. Test the key in the center and at each end to be sure it functions normally. If the key does not seem level, repeat the procedure until it is. Also check for broken ends if the bar was pulled from the keycap. I don’t know if you can repair this kind of damage–it may be better at this point to get a good key from another dell b120 notebook computer.
You don’t have to put the keys back in any particular order. Do you what you feel comfortable with as you go along. (Aren’t those old typing lessons coming in handy now?)
Please note that I don’t suggest you even consider trying to remove the pointing stick buttons to clean around them. I don’t know if it is possible to remove those buttons without taking the keyboard and computer apart. You could cause damage to the computer or keyboard that would be severe enough to require total replacement of either one!