cleaning keyboards in the dishwasher

Most dishwasher detergents are composed primarily of a basic salt, such as sodium carbonate and a low-foaming detergent (surfactant). Wetting agents may also be added to avoid streaking. The idea behind the salt is that it's hydrolized in the presence of very hot water to create a very basic (pH near that of lye) solution, which will saponify grease and oils. Fragrance and colorants may be added (no practical sanitary value, but it's done nonetheless) and sometimes chlorine bleach is a component (which accounts for a chlorine odor that you may smell). All of this information is available from most manufacturers' MSDS (and most are available online). Would I wash electronics in a dishwasher loaded with dishwasher detergent? I don't think so--the combination can attack certain metals, such as aluminum and magnesium (note that the label on your detergent says NOT to wash aluminum cookware in the dishwasher). More important in my mind is that conductive salts might be left behind. If I felt a need to wash some electronics, I'd do it with warm or hot water and a simple detergent without added salts. While the action of a dishwasher detergent might be handy if you dumped a bottle of Cheez Whiz into your keyboard, I'd think that it'd be overkill in most cases. Cheers, Chuck