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Top 7 tips to clean your MacBook keyboard

     1) Shut down the MacBook and unplug it from the power source

Shut down the MacBook and unplug it from the power source. This is important as you don’t want to short circuit any of your components or fry them by applying excess pressure on them while cleaning. You also risk spilling liquid over some key which would be disastrous, so make sure that there’s no chance for liquids to drop inside your laptop.

     2) Disconnect any external peripherals

Before you begin, you must disconnect any external peripherals like the mouse or headphones. The reason for this is, wires can easily get tangled up with other components and be pulled off. So make sure to disconnect pen drives, mouse & headphones, etc. It will help you to avoid any kind of complications to make the cleaning process smooth down the line.

     3) Hold Macbook at 75 degrees, Not Vertically

Do not hold your MacBook in a vertical position while cleaning. We know that this seems like common sense but it is very easy to forget given the excitement of seeing dirt particles falling out from beneath keys. However, holding your laptop at a vertical angle increases the risk of slipping it down causing damages.

So always hold your MacBook in a diagonal position while cleaning, with the opening facing towards you, and be very careful when using compressed air to clean out dust from beneath keys. Do not use excessive force if there is resistance while turning the key because it could result in the breaking of internal components which are extremely expensive to replace or repair.

     4) Use a can of compressed air

You may have to try this method multiple times before your MacBook keyboard gets cleaned. Take out the MacBook Air or Pro from its casing and remove all keys off their hinges using tweezers. Clean the surface under them with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol, as it absorbs dirt particles very well. Once done, place the keys back into their hinges and then spray a can of compressed air on them. The dirt particles will get blown away immediately.

If you don’t have access to compressed air, use your mouth instead. Just like water vapor emitted from our mouths is used in de-fogging glasses during winters, the moisture present inside it helps clean off the dirt particles.

Use a can of compressed air or spit on your MacBook keys to clean them off dust and debris. While using the canned version is easier, it’s not recommended if you have allergies.

     5) Use a cotton swab

Take out the MacBook Air or Pro from its casing and place it on a flat surface. Open up all the vents to let in some air. Take out one of those small cotton buds generally used while applying make-up around eyes and lips. Dip it in some alcohol and gently scrape it against the surface under each key. Make sure you go in one direction only so that the dirt particles move to a single spot rather than flying off because of your actions. You may have to do this several times until all keys are clean enough for use again.

     6) Use a toothbrush

If the dirt particles are stubborn, try this approach. Take out all keys from their hinges and place them down on either side of your MacBook keyboard. Mix some water with baking soda to form a thin paste, apply it onto one part of the toothbrush using your finger and start scrubbing the surface under each key. Make sure you apply just enough pressure to remove the dirt but not so much that the shape of each key gets altered. Once done, wipe off all keys with a damp cloth and let them dry for some time before placing them back into their hinges again.

This method works because baking soda is very light in weight while being quite abrasive at the same time.

     7) Use a dentistry brush

This is the most effective way to clean off dirt particles from under your MacBook keys. You will need a special type of brush with nylon bristles and one that’s small enough in size so it can fit underneath all keys without any problems. Take out all keys from their hinges and place them down on either side of your MacBook. Dip the brush in some alcohol and start scrubbing each key from underneath to remove all dirt particles stuck beneath them. Make sure you use a clean part of the brush every time you move on to another one so that it can reach under different shaped keys without any problems.

Only when this is done, place your keys back into their hinges and start using your MacBook again.

Bonus Tip: Wipe off the surface with a cotton cloth regularly to prevent infection

If you are using an Apple MacBook for long hours, there is a high chance that dirt particles are sticking to the surface on which it rests. They turn into germs as they remain wet and humid due to your sweat coming in contact with them every now and then. Thus, always wipe off the surface before starting work again or else those germs will transfer onto your fingers and enter the body through nostrils or mouth.

Wiping off the MacBook keyboard with a dry cloth is recommended as using moistened wipes can lead to the accumulation of more dirt particles over time, which you would then have to remove all over again.

Conclusion

Apple MacBooks are sleek and slim in design but they’re not meant to look perfect all the time. They get dirty especially on their surface because of dirt & contact with our hands. which is why you must clean them off regularly. Use compressed air or spit only when you have no access to a can of compressed air. Also use a cotton swab, toothbrush, and dentistry brush to get rid of rigid stains. Wiping off the surface with a cotton cloth regularly is also recommended so that you can prevent any infection from occurring due to dirt particles sticking on your MacBook’s base.

Remember: Cleaning an Apple MacBook doesn’t take much time but it does ensure better performance along with safeguarding against germs and infections.