How to clean your MacBook keyboard

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We spend countless hours tapping away at our keyboards, but how often do we give them a good clean? Cleaning your keyboard not only maintains its aesthetic appearance but also prevents the accumulation of dust and dirt that can affect its performance over time. This guide will walk you through effectively cleaning your MacBook keyboard, what to avoid when doing so, and how to respond in the event of a spillage.

QUICK ANSWER

To clean your MacBook keyboard, use a can of compressed air and a microfiber cloth. In case of a spill, turn off your MacBook, drain the liquid, let it dry, and take it to a professional.

KEY SECTIONS

While it's important to clean your keyboard regularly, there are certain practices you should avoid to prevent damage. Here's what not to do:

Now that you know what not to do, let's move on to how you should clean your MacBook keyboard:

Despite our best intentions, accidents happen. If you’ve spilled a drink on your MacBook keyboard, here are immediate steps you should take:

Cleaning your MacBook keyboard regularly and appropriately is essential for its performance and longevity. While we hope you never have to deal with a spillage, if it does happen, these steps will help you minimize the potential damage. Happy typing!

You can use a soft, lint-free or microfiber cloth and a can of compressed air.

Turn off your MacBook and unplug any devices. Tilt your MacBook at an angle and use compressed air to dislodge dirt or dust. Wipe the keys with a microfiber cloth.

We do not recommend removing keys to clean under them as it may damage the keyboard. Instead, use compressed air to dislodge and remove any dirt or dust under the keys.

While it's technically possible to remove the keys, it's not recommended unless you’re a trained professional. Removing keys can easily damage the delicate mechanisms under them and may void your warranty.

You can use a soft, lint-free or microfiber cloth to clean the keys and keyboard surface.

While the "rice trick" is often recommended for drying out small electronics like smartphones, it's not recommended for a MacBook or other laptops. Rice can create dust that might infiltrate and harm the internal components of your MacBook. Additionally, rice may is not effective at absorbing moisture in large devices. Instead, if you’ve spilled a drink on your MacBook, turn it off and unplug it immediately, drain any excess liquid by turning it upside down, and let it dry naturally in a well-ventilated area. If needed, take it to a professional for inspection and cleaning.