I bought my Macbook in early 2008, and to keep out of the norm of white plastic, I chose the sexy black plastic model. The one problem is that this thing is a grease magnet. Over these past few years, I have perfected a way to clean the grease off the case, keyboard, track pad, and even screen!

Step 1: Materials

You need some very simple materials, and they are a lot cheaper than the Apple endorsed iKlear:

Dish Soap
Paper Towel
1-2 Microfiber Cloths
Black Macbook

Every house should have the first 2, and you should invest in a small microfiber cloth for cleaning all your shiny electronics. The Macbook is kinda necessary...

Step 2: Clean the Top

This is the basic process for cleaning the computer:

Soap - cleans grease off
Water - cleans off soap
Dry
Water - makes sure everything is off
Dry - prevents water spots

Make sure you only use a drop of soap and that you always rub in a circular pattern.

Step 3: Clean the Bottom and Sides

Same thing for the bottom and sides of the laptop, just don't get soap in the cracks around the battery and it's lock, or in the ports.

Step 4: Clean the Inside

This is the hardest part, you cant get water in the crack around the track pad or it clicks a lot. Clean the palm rests, the keyboard (just the keys, don't squeeze water under the keys. then clean the bezel around the screen with only water, as the soap has the potential of damaging the screen. finally, clean the track pad and the mouse button with a TON of soap, this is where most of your finger grease ends up.

Step 5: Clean the Screen

First, rub all over the screen in a circular pattern. Then, if needed, use a paper towel to put a little water on the screen and rub it off, again in a circular pattern, with the Microfiber cloth.

Step 6: Admire Your Clean Computer

Look at how clean it is!

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6 Discussions

blackghost

10 years ago on Introduction

if u use 99% rubbing alcohol , u dont run the risk of damaging the electronics if a drop manages to sneak inside , since rubbing alcohol doesn't conduct electricity still , dont be sloppy with it, but id much rather use alcohol than water

junits15

10 years ago on Introduction

how do you play half-life if you have a mac? :)

glitteringsky

11 years ago on Introduction

Great advice about the simple cleaning agents and water. How about the keys though? Did you just swipe across them? Thats what I do but I wanted to do a better job. Thanks for the posting! Very helpful.

Joe Martin

11 years ago on Introduction

Wow, very in depth and informative. 5*!

Introduction: How to Clean a Macbook