How to Clean a MacBook Pro Keyboard

Co-authored by Filip Boksa

Last Updated: March 2, 2023 References

Getting Rid of Dust and Debris

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Cleaning and Disinfecting

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Things You'll Need

If the keyboard on your MacBook Pro is covered in stains and smudges, you're probably wondering how exactly to go about cleaning it (there are so many nooks and crannies!). Cleaning your computer’s keyboard isn’t hard, but you definitely want to make sure you’re doing it correctly so you don’t cause any damage. This article will walk you through what to do step-by-step so your keyboard looks spick-and-span again.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Getting Rid of Dust and Debris

1
Turn off your MacBook Pro and unplug your laptop from its power source.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Filip Boksa
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 20 August 2019.} You will be pressing a lot of keys as you clean your keyboard; turning your computer off will ensure that you don't break or mess up anything on your desktop. Unplugging your laptop will make sure you don't hurt yourself.
- You may want to avoid turning your laptop off, but don't forget this step. You want to have the freedom to press down on all the keys without worrying about changing important settings or accidentally emailing your boss a note filled with gibberish. Think of it as a well-deserved nap for your hard-working computer.
2
Open your laptop and shake it gently over a trash can.^{[2]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Turning your laptop upside down and shaking it helps to remove any dirt, dust or food crumbs that have fallen beneath the keyboard, dislodging any material that's stuck beneath the keys. ^{[3]
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Research source}
- Try tapping all of the keys on your keyboard repeatedly and then shake it over the trashcan again. Tapping the keys helps to dislodge dirt and other material that may have collected over the weeks, or years, since the last time you cleaned your keyboard.
- You may see some unwanted debris fall out as you gently shake the laptop, but don't be discouraged if you don't. Doing this will still help break up unwanted gunk that will be dealt with as you continue cleaning.
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3
Spray a can of compressed air into the keyboard.^{[4]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.}^{[5]
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Expert Source

Filip Boksa
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 20 August 2019.} Hold your MacBook Pro at a 75-degree angle as you spray the compressed air. This angle helps dirt, dust, and debris fall out, rather than pushing them deeper into your laptop.^{[6]
X
Research source} You'll want to move the compressed air from left to right, moving down the length of the keyboard and then back up to make sure you have reached every pocket.
- Be sure to keep the end of the straw about a half-inch away from the keyboard.
- Avoid inverting the can while you are spraying.
- You may want to get a friend to help you hold your computer at this angle while you spray.
- If you have a MacBook Pro that is older than the 2016 model you can skip the compressed air. Using compressed air on older models of the MacBook Pro can force dust deeper into the laptop, rather than blowing it out.
4
Rotate the laptop and spray compressed air at the keyboard. Turn your laptop to the right and guide the compressed air through the keyboard from left to right, traveling up and down the keys. Maintain the same 75-degree angle to be sure that dust continues to fall out of your keyboard. Rotating your computer in this way helps the compressed air continue to clean out all the nooks and crannies found beneath your keyboard.
- Don't forget to keep the end of the straw about half an inch away from the keyboard. The compressed air has enough force that it will be able to clean out the keys from that distance. Spraying it any closer could damage the keys.
5
Rotate the laptop again, spraying compressed air at the keyboard. Turning your computer to the left will make your cleaning process complete and thorough by allowing the compressed air to reach beneath all of the keys at a few different angles. Continue to lead the compressed air from left to right, tracking up and down the keyboard in a zig-zag manner.
- This is a good time to do a final once-over with the can of compressed air. If you think you may have missed a spot, take the time now to access it.
- You may want to give your laptop one more gentle shake over the trashcan, for good measure.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Cleaning and Disinfecting

1
Dust the surface of your keyboard with a lint-free cloth.^{[7]
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Expert Source

James Sears
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Avoid abrasive cloths or paper towels that might scratch your keyboard. A soft microfiber cloth is the best choice here.
- As you're dusting, use a light hand and avoid putting unnecessary pressure on the keyboard.
2
Use disinfectant wipes to clean the surface of your keyboard. This deep-cleaning action can be the most rewarding part of cleaning your laptop keyboard. Cleaning with disinfectant gets rid of any spills, stains, and especially dirty crevices. This will also get rid of unseen germs and bacteria. It is not uncommon for a small amount of grime to accumulate on the surface of your keyboard, so take your time as you wipe the surface and apply extra attention to food spills or grimy corners. Be gentle with the keys by pressing lightly, although you can scrub harder on dirtier sections if you're careful.
- Make sure your disinfectant wipes don't contain bleach. Apple suggests Lysol Wipes or Clorox Kitchen Disinfecting Wipes.^{[8]
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- You can also use electronics cleaner and a microfiber cloth in place of the disinfectant wipes. Or, try making a cleaning solution yourself, using equal parts water and rubbing alcohol.^{[9]
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- Be really careful to avoid liquid pooling around your keyboard. Have a dry towel on hand to mop up any spilled cleaning solution.
- Avoid spraying liquid directly onto the keyboard (apply to a lint-free, microfiber cloth, instead).^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  James Sears
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.} Remember that liquid is not a friend to your keyboard. The last thing you want to do is damage your keyboard while you're trying to clean it. Less is more when it comes to using cleaning solution.
3
Use a damp microfiber cloth and wipe down the keyboard.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Filip Boksa
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 20 August 2019.} Wiping down your keyboard with a damp cloth cleans up any extra cleaning solution while giving you a final chance to scrub dirty spots.
- You may want to squeeze the damp cloth out over a sink before applying it to your keyboard, to be sure you aren't adding unnecessary water to the keyboard.
4
Dry your keyboard with a dry, lint-free, microfiber cloth. You'll want to make sure your keyboard is completely dry before closing it up. Liquid is your computer's worst enemy, so be sure you take extra time to dry between the keys and around the ports. With this final shine, your MacBook Pro keyboard will look as good as new.
- Take a moment to test all the keys to make sure everything is working properly.