How to clean your Mac keyboard

What you'll need

• A soft, lint-free microfiber cloth
• 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes (for disinfecting)
• A can of compressed air with a straw (for crumbs under the keys)
• A way to stop the keys from registering: shut down, or use CleanMyMacKeyboard

Step 1: Lock the keyboard and trackpad first

Every wipe across the keys is a key press. On a running Mac that means random text in whatever app has focus, accidental shortcuts like ⌘Q or ⌘W, and trackpad clicks you didn't mean to make.

You have two options:

• Shut down and unplug. This is what Apple recommends, and it's the right call for a deep clean with anything damp. The downside: you have to close everything and wait for a restart.
• Lock input with CleanMyMacKeyboard. For a quick dust-off or a dry wipe, open the app, pick 30 seconds to 5 minutes and hit Start. Your keyboard and trackpad stop responding and unlock automatically when the timer ends. Your apps stay open.

The lock screen isn't a substitute: it still registers key presses, so wiping the keys types into the password field. A Magic Keyboard has a power switch you can flip off, but a MacBook's built-in keyboard and trackpad don't.

Step 2: Remove dust and crumbs

Tip the keyboard upside down over a bin and tap it gently to shake out loose debris. Then use compressed air. For MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards, Apple's keyboard cleaning instructions suggest:

1. Hold the Mac at about a 75-degree angle, so it's not quite vertical.
2. Spray the keyboard (or just the affected keys) in a left-to-right motion, with the straw about half an inch from the keys.
3. Rotate the Mac onto its right side and spray left to right again.
4. Rotate it onto its left side and repeat.

Keep the can upright the whole time. Tilting it can spray liquid propellant onto the keys.

Step 3: Wipe and disinfect the keys

Lightly dampen a lint-free cloth with water, or use a disinfecting wipe with the excess liquid squeezed out. Wipe each row of keys, then the gaps between them. Never spray anything directly onto the keyboard, and don't let moisture get into the openings.

Shiny keys are usually skin oil. A 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe cuts through it, and it's on Apple's list of cleaners that are safe for the keys.

Step 4: Clean the trackpad and palm rest

Use the same slightly damp cloth on the trackpad and the aluminum around it. Wipe in one direction rather than in circles, then go over it with a dry part of the cloth.

Step 5: Let it dry, then unlock

Give everything a minute to air-dry before you start typing again. If you used CleanMyMacKeyboard, it unlocks on its own when the timer runs out. You can also press ⇧⌥⌘L to unlock early.

What to avoid

• Bleach, hydrogen peroxide and aerosol sprays
• Abrasive cloths, paper towels and scouring pads
• Spraying cleaner directly onto the keys
• Prying keycaps off a MacBook keyboard. They break easily.
• Soaking the cloth. Damp, not wet.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I clean my Mac keyboard?

A quick wipe once a week keeps oil and dust from building up. Do a deeper clean with compressed air every month or two, or right away if you've dropped crumbs or a key feels sticky.

Can I use disinfecting wipes on a MacBook keyboard?

Yes. Apple says 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75% ethyl alcohol wipes and Clorox Disinfecting Wipes are fine on hard, nonporous surfaces like keys. Wring out excess liquid and avoid getting moisture in any openings.

What should I never use on a Mac keyboard?

Bleach, hydrogen peroxide, aerosol sprays, abrasive cleaners or pads, and anything sprayed directly onto the keyboard. Don't pry keycaps off a MacBook either; they're fragile and easy to break.