What to do if you spill liquids on your keyboard

We spend a lot of time on our computers these days, which means that we are more likely to eat or drink while using them. While the best advice is to try to avoid doing so, it's a hard rule to follow, especially if your job requires you to use a computer all day.

If disaster strikes and you spill a drink on your keyboard, turn it upside down right away. Try gently shaking it to get any excess liquid out, too. Then, carefully unplug or shut off your computer. Depending on the type of liquid, there are a few other things you can do:

If you spill water on your keyboard:

Of all the things to spill, water is the least worrisome, so after you've turned the keyboard upside down, simply let it air dry for several hours. If you'd like, you can use a hair dryer on low - too much heat can cause damage to the internal wiring.

If you spill soda or juice:

After flipping it, wipe down the keyboard with a cloth that is lightly dampened with water to get rid of excess stickiness. Leave the keyboard alone for two days, letting it dry slowly. Again, you can use a hair dryer on low heat.

If you spill coffee or tea:

Hot liquids may have a more serious effect on the keyboard's electrical components, so after flipping, just leave the computer alone to cool down for several minutes before wiping it with a clean cloth. Again, let it dry for two days before turning it back on.

You won't know the extent of the damage right away, but if your computer isn't responding to your typing, or if the keys are sticking, you may want to contact a PC repair or laptop repair center. In some instances, you may need to replace the keyboard, which can be purchased separately at a location that sells computer and laptop accessories.