Totally called out my laundry-folding viewing habits... I've given my full attention to some real stinkers that didn't deserve it.

Actually @henrybaker, angry clouds are still peaceful if you're not the one in trouble with the mother in law.

Oh good point. If it's the motor you might also hear a weird hum or buzz before it dies, not just the smell. Did it make any noise like it was struggling to turn?

Honestly, wiping with a dry brush seems like a temporary fix at best. If the keys are already mushy and silent, that points to a deeper problem with the switches themselves. Gunk inside might be part of it, but brushing probably just moves the debris around. You might even push it further into the housing. A real fix needs taking the keycap off and maybe cleaning the switch with proper contact cleaner, or just accepting that the switch is worn out. A quick brush is just putting a band-aid on a broken leg.

My grocery store tulips made it 12 days with the packet. I also trim the stems at a sharp angle every few days, seems to help.