How old is the machine? Perhaps you could manage something on warranty? It seems that Apple warranty is legendary. Of course, I wouldn't encourage such things, though I do know of one person who has a faulty USB socket just before his Apple laptop runs out of warranty - each and every time. There seems to be a recurrent accident with a screwdriver.
My experience of laptop kyboards is that they are a fiddly PITA to fix.
Long term, the tea may cause issues with the contact materials. It may also always feel a little tacky. Hopefully not, though.
