Gather Your Gear
Start by gathering your tools for the cleanup:
Canister or shop vac with a soft brush attachmentOld pantyhose (optional)Lint-free cloth or paper towelsCotton ear swabsIsopropyl alcohol, 99% (available at most pharmacies)Cloth or paper towels for the work surfaceCanned air
How to Clean Surface Grime From Your Mac or MacBook Keyboard
Getting rid of the dirt and oils that accumulate over time keeps a keyboard or laptop looking new and prevents the grunge from creeping down into the keyboard’s switches where it can do real damage.
Unplug the keyboard or shut down the MacBook. Turn the keyboard or laptop key-side down and give it a good shake. To dislodge any loose debris from between the keys, tap the edges of the keyboard or laptop. Dampen a small area of a dry and clean lint-free cloth or paper towel. Then, gently wipe away the surface dirt and oils that accumulated on the keys. Clean between the keys, the space bar, and the trackpad. Turn the cloth or paper towel frequently so that you’re removing dirt rather than pushing it around. Use an alcohol-dampened cotton swab to get at corners or small spaces or to loosen stubborn grime. When using isopropyl alcohol, less is more. Alcohol evaporates quickly, so if you keep swabs and paper towels only damp, you shouldn’t need to dry off anything.
Deep Clean the Keyboard of Your Mac, MacBook, or MacBook Pro
When keys stick or debris is lodged under a key, do a deep cleaning.
Disconnect the keyboard or shut down the laptop. Press each key to ensure that the keycaps are properly seated and snapped in place. This is also a good way to ensure that the action on the keys is consistent and that key travel isn’t hindered by hidden debris. Turn the laptop or MacBook key-side down and give it a good shake. To dislodge any loose debris from between the keys, tap the edges of the keyboard or laptop. The object is to shake out as much of the dry and loose debris as possible. Hold the keyboard at an angle (Apple recommends 75 degrees for laptops). Then, spray the canned air in short bursts in the space between each row of keys. Work left to right, top to bottom, in a zigzag pattern. Apple Read the instructions when using canned air. Tipping the can during use may result in propellant spraying out of the can rather than air, which can harm delicate electronics. Turn the keyboard 90 degrees to the right and blow compressed air in short bursts from edge to edge. Apple Use a canister or shop vac with a soft brush attachment to gently brush along the keyboard or laptop to remove any remaining debris. If any keys are loose or have fallen off previously, cut the foot from a pair of pantyhose and slip it over the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner before turning on the vacuum. If a keycap comes loose from the suction of the vacuum cleaner, it is caught before traveling into the vacuum bag. Remove surface dirt and grime using the instructions above.
How Do I Clean My Mac’s Bluetooth Keyboard?
A Mac’s no-cable Bluetooth keyboard is near indestructible. It will last for years with preventive maintenance and cleaning.
Here’s what you need to know:
Remove the Bluetooth keyboard’s batteries if the batteries are removable. Removing the batteries ensures you don’t accidentally power up the keyboard as you’re cleaning it. The Apple Magic Keyboard doesn’t have removable batteries but does have an on/off switch, so switch off the keyboard. Similar to how you clean a MacBook keyboard, hold the keyboard sideways (short side up) at an angle and use short bursts of compressed air to blow debris away from the keys. Move from top to bottom. Clean the keycaps, trackpad, and mouse base with a soft cloth dampened with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol. Take care to prevent moisture from entering any opening.
Are Clean Keyboards Necessary?
It hasn’t been proven, but a computer with a clean keyboard seems to run faster in the same way a freshly washed car feels peppier.
Spending a few minutes of preventive cleaning time can make a difference in the performance of this essential part of your digital technology tools.
