CleanKeys guide

How to clean your MacBook keyboard without triggering keys

Cleaning a MacBook keyboard while your Mac is active can type into open apps, trigger shortcuts and cause other unwanted input. Follow Apple’s physical cleaning guidance, then temporarily disable keyboard input before you begin wiping the keys.

Follow Apple’s recommendations for cleaning your MacBook keyboard

Apple’s guidance is the authoritative source for physically cleaning MacBook hardware. For the compressed-air method described there, Apple explains how to hold the Mac notebook at an angle, spray from left to right and repeat with the notebook rotated to each side.

Use Apple’s instructions for the correct physical technique and precautions for your hardware. CleanKeys does not replace that guidance.

Read Apple’s official MacBook keyboard cleaning instructions →

The accidental key press problem

Even when you follow the proper cleaning instructions, wiping or handling an active keyboard can still send unwanted input to your Mac. A cloth can press several keys at once, activate a shortcut or type into whichever app is open.

Temporarily disabling your MacBook keyboard while cleaning prevents those accidental key presses. It gives you a keyboard cleaning mode without requiring you to shut down your Mac between uses.