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How to Clean a MacBook Screen Like a Genius Bar Expert
Between work, academic assignments, binge-watching your favorite shows, and talking to friends, the world pretty much revolves around your computer screen. Needless to say, your MacBook probably sees a lot of daily wear and tear. And if yours has gotten to the point where you can no longer read the subtitles through your fingerprint smudges, it's probably time to clean your MacBook screen.
Personal laptops are an investment, so it's important to clean yours properly to keep it working efficiently and avoid damaging it. Unlike laptops that have porous LCD displays, MacBooks have glass screens—but that doesn't mean you can use regular glass cleaner on them. Never use excess water, harsh chemicals, or textured cleaning cloths on your MacBook screen. If you're lost on how to clean your MacBook screen the right way, we have you covered. Read on for a guide on how to clean your MacBook screen, and what you'll need to do so.
What You'll Need
- A lint-free microfiber cloth
- Water
- 70 percent isopropyl alcohol (aka rubbing alcohol)
How to Clean a MacBook Screen
How often you need to clean your MacBook screen depends on your usage. If you're mostly sitting at a desk or in an office environment, once a week or so might be fine. If you use your MacBook to follow recipes while you cook, for instance, you should clean it when you notice an accumulation of smudges or visible grime.
Step One: Turn It Off
Before you clean your MacBook screen, completely shut it down and unplug the power adapter, headphones, and any other cords. Place your laptop on a clean, hard surface.
Step Two: Dust and Wipe
Dust the screen with the microfiber cloth to remove the bulk of dirt and smudges, taking care not to use too much pressure. Then, slightly dampen a clean area of the cloth with water, squeeze out any excess, and wipe the screen thoroughly, avoiding getting moisture into any openings.
Step Three: Tackle Stubborn Areas
To get rid of the worst of the fingerprints or streaks, Apple recommends using rubbing alcohol. Never spray or pour the alcohol directly on the screen; instead, saturate a clean area of the microfiber cloth until it's slightly damp. Then, using the cloth, spot treat and buff out the stubborn smudges until you don't see them anymore.
If Your Apple Device Has Nano-Textured Glass
There are a few more precautions to take if your Apple device has a screen made of nano-textured glass. Apple introduced the technology, which is designed to reduce glare, in 2019 as an upgrade option for its Pro Display XDR, and it's now available on Apple Studio Display and iMac as well. You probably don't have to worry about this because nano-textured glass displays aren't available for MacBooks, but you may have a desktop computer or display in addition to your laptop—and it's important to know you shouldn't clean their screens the same way.
According to Apple, you should clean nano-textured glass only with the included polishing cloth. If there are stubborn smudges, you can mist the cloth with rubbing alcohol, but use the liquid lightly and sparingly.
How to Clean an Apple Polishing Cloth
- Hand wash the polishing cloth with dish soap and water.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Allow the polishing cloth to air-dry for at least 24 hours.
How to Clean a MacBook Keyboard
You can use the same rubbing alcohol and lint-free microfiber cloth to clean the keys and keyboard just as you would the screen: apply it sparingly, and avoid getting it into any crevices.
To clean under the keys on a MacBook keyboard, Apple recommends rotating it and spraying the keyboard with a can of compressed air. Hold the laptop up so that the keyboard is tipped slightly away from your face, then spray under the keys from left to right in a zigzag motion. Rotate it to the right and spray again, then to the left and spray again.
