How I change the dryer sheets over my computer keyboard and mouse

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• published: 23 Jun 2016
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Published on Jul 24, 2014 At first glance, my computer area seems, well, rather unusual. First, it's very low to the floor, barely 12 inches (30 cm) above. Second, I have dryer sheets over my keyboard and mouse. Dryer sheets? They serve 2 functions: make typing more comfortable and keeping the dust/crumbs out reducing the need to have to clean it (though cleaning is still needed on occasion). I don't just use any dryer sheet, I use used ones. They've been used with clean clothes/towels so they're clean. Instead of tossing them in the trash, I put them to a second use, provided they're in good enough shape. Essentially, I'm recylcing them in an unexpected way. The one for the mouse has less strict requirements. The ones for the keyboard need to be quite straight with minimal curling. They can be wrinkly without any issues. About once a month, some going as long as once every 4 months, depending on location, I replace the dryer sheets. I don't always replace all of them at once, but I do replace them as I see fit. The one for the mouse is easy to replace - take the one in use now, toss it in the trash, and put the replacement on top of it. I gather at least 6 dryer sheets for a full replacement (an extra, just in case), or the number needed for those I'm after replacing. The ones for the keyboard require a lot more effort. To keep them from moving around, I need to anchor them. Thus, I use screws. In my case, they're 1/2 inch #8 sheet metal screws of type 2 Philips. To remove the existing ones, I simply first get rid of the Altoids tins I have that have about $5 in pennies in them for all 3 combined (that's 1400 grams or a bit over 3 pounds). Once removed, I remove the screws next, sparing them for reuse. I remove the dryer sheets. From there, I put the new ones on. Those with small defects can be used at the edges and I use an overlap of about 1 to 1 1/2 inches (25 to 38 millimeters). I place the new one over the screw hole in the corner and pull with moderate force to make it rigid. While pulling, I use a scissors to poke a hole through it and break up the bonds. This is to prevent the screw from catching the dryer sheet and twisting it, attemping to wrap the dryer sheet around it which is what I don't want. I then put the screw in and go to the next one. For one at the corner, I only need to place one dryer sheet. For ones in the middle, I need both dryer sheets over the same screw hole then I push the scissors through to break both at the same time while pulling on both as best as I can. The screw goes in next. Once all 4 dryer sheets are covering the keyboard, I place the weighted Altoids tins on them to secure them in place, using my CRT monitor (yes, CRT - it's the cheap way to get 1920x1440 resolution) as a sort of extra support but keeping the power button free so I can use it as needed. By the way, that on the far right on my display is my tree generation program. Each time it changes, a new tree has been generated, for Keveran Forest in Platform Masters. Also, note the constantly changing task bar - it's difficult to use while generating trees, missing frequently. You can't read anything, but you can still get the basic idea.