No matter how careful you are, your MacBook (MacBook Air and MacBook Pro) keyboard eventually starts showing wear. For example, I’ve had more than one MacBook over the years, and no matter how careful I am, the keyboard always ends up either feeling off or looking greasy.
For many Mac users, keys can feel sticky from dust or crumbs, or the surface can look greasy and shiny from everyday use. I’ve run into both problems myself — sometimes it’s a single key that won’t press right, like I feel like there’s something stuck under the key, like a small breadcrumb, other times it’s just the whole keyboard looking dirty. A dirty keyboard may cause issues, such as the double-space problem, or the lagging issue we explained earlier.
The good news is that you don’t need anything fancy to clean a Macbook keyboard. The trick is knowing which method to use depending on the problem.
1. When keys stop working or feel stuck
If a key feels sticky, doesn’t press evenly, or just won’t register, that usually means dust or crumbs are hiding underneath. Apple’s official recommendation is compressed air, which you are easily obtain, and this matches what a lot of Mac users swear by.
To clean a MacBook keyboard when keys stop working or feel stuck, follow these steps:
- Shut down your Mac and unplug it.
- Hold the laptop at about a 75-degree angle (almost vertical).
- Attach the straw nozzle to a can of compressed air and spray left to right in short bursts.
- Rotate the MacBook to its right side and spray again, from left to right.
- Rotate to its left side and repeat.
- That’s it. Don’t flip the can upside down (liquid propellant can damage the keyboard). If you’ve tried this and the key is still unresponsive, the next step is a repair visit.
Note: You can use similar steps when you are cleaning your iPhone’s microphone.
2. When the keyboard just looks dirty or oily
More often, the problem isn’t that the keys don’t work — it’s that they look gross. Finger oils, dust, or even just the plastic wearing down can leave shiny spots.
To clean a MacBook keyboard when the keyboard looks dirty or oily, follow these steps:
- Microfiber isopropyl alcohol: Lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol (don’t soak it) and wipe the key tops.
- Glass or eyeglass wipes: Quick, effective, and safe for keyboards.
- Apple-approved disinfecting wipes: Apple says you can use Clorox or 70% alcohol wipes on the keyboard and case (just avoid the screen).
- Compressed air or a soft brush: Good for clearing crumbs in between the keys.
One popular tip: cover your keyboard with a microfiber cloth when you close the lid to prevent oils from transferring to the display.
Note: You can use similar steps when cleaning your Apple devices, such as your iPad screen.
You should know that the shiny look isn’t always dirt. It’s normal wear and tear. MacBook keys are made of ABS plastic, which naturally develops a glossy finish the more you type.
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