The MacBook Air is a well-known and popular laptop, but like all consumer devices, dust and dirt can accumulate on its surfaces over time. Fingerprints and halos may also appear on the screen, together with stains and residues of various kinds on the keyboard keys. Most of these problems can be solved with plain water and a soft cloth, but the use of alcohol will ensure more effective cleaning of extremely stubborn stains and dirt. You can also choose to disinfect the screen with special disinfectant wipes to remove germs, but in this case you must be very careful to avoid products that can damage your MacBook.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Wash the Screen with Water
Step 1. Turn off your Mac and unplug it from the mains before starting any cleaning work
Press the power button located on the keyboard to completely shut down the MacBook Air. At this point, disconnect the power supply connector and any other external accessories currently connected to the computer. Make sure your MacBook is not connected to any power source.
Check the status of your Mac before continuing. When the computer is completely off, the screen should not light up if any key on the keyboard is pressed. Since you are going to use water to clean the electronic device, the presence of electrical current could cause a short circuit and cause permanent damage to your MacBook
Step 2. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with a little water
Use only soft or microfiber cloths, as extremely hard or rough fabrics may scratch the surfaces and screen of your MacBook. Before cleaning, make sure the cloth is not too wet. If so, squeeze it vigorously to get rid of excess water.
Always apply water directly to the cloth and never to the surfaces of the MacBook. Moisture could reach extremely delicate parts of the device, damaging them irreparably
Step 3. Clean the screen starting from the top and moving down
Start at the top of the screen so you can block any trickle of water before it reaches the inside of your MacBook. Clean the screen surface starting from one corner and moving to the opposite corner. Swipe back and forth over the same spot several times to make sure you remove all streaks and dirt, then gradually move to the bottom of the screen.
- To facilitate this cleaning phase, it is best to place the MacBook on a flat and stable surface (such as a table) on the side of the screen. This will prevent the screen from moving during the cleaning phase.
- If you spot any drops or streams of water on the screen, wipe them off immediately.
Step 4. Use a cloth dampened with soapy water to remove stubborn stains
Use a clean microfiber cloth and moisten it with water. Squeeze it out to get rid of any excess liquid, then pour a small amount of dish soap directly onto the cloth. Use only a few drops. At this point, clean the screen and then dry it with a clean, dry cloth.
Choose regular liquid soap. Try to avoid extremely aggressive cleaning products, such as degreasers and stain removers, as they could irreparably damage your MacBook screen
Step 5. Dry the screen with a clean microfiber cloth
Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe over the entire surface of the screen, using the same fencing of motions you used to clean it with soap and water. Start by removing any excess moisture that may have accumulated around the edges of the screen to prevent it from getting inside your MacBook. Complete the drying phase by passing over the rest of the screen surface and at the end check that it looks perfectly clean.
To get a perfect final result, you may need to repeat the screen cleaning several times
Method 2 of 3: Use Alcohol to Remove Stains
Step 1. Shut down your Mac completely and unplug it from the mains
If you're not careful, alcohol could get inside your computer. To make sure you don't cause any damage, shut down your Mac completely and unplug it from the power adapter. Make sure the screen doesn't light up by pressing any key on the keyboard.
Step 2. Dampen a microfiber cloth with alcohol
You won't have to use a large amount of product. Start with about 5ml, apply alcohol directly to the cloth and never to the Mac screen to prevent damage. Make sure the microfiber cloth is not soggy, in which case squeeze it vigorously to remove any excess alcohol.
Alcohol is very effective in removing fingerprints and halos from the Mac keyboard and screen that are created when you open and close it. You can buy denatured alcohol at any supermarket
Step 3. Clean the screen using the damp cloth
Use horizontal movements starting on one side of the screen and moving towards the opposite side. Most smudges and marks should disappear immediately and the screen surface will appear clean and shiny. If there are particularly dirty areas, treat them by wiping them several times with the cloth.
For the screen to appear perfectly clean, you may need to perform a second full cleaning using more alcohol than the first
Step 4. Eliminate alcohol using water
Dampen a second clean microfiber cloth using lukewarm water. Remove any excess moisture from the cloth before using it to rinse the screen. At this point, pass it over the entire surface using circular motions to complete the cleaning phase.
Immediately remove any drops or streams of water, so that it can't get inside your Mac and come into contact with delicate electronic components
Step 5. Dry the screen using a clean microfiber cloth
Complete the cleaning step by using a third microfiber cloth. Wipe it all over the surface, making sure to get rid of any residual water or moisture. When finished, the screen will be perfectly shiny and clean.
Method 3 of 3: Disinfect the Screen
Step 1. Turn off your Mac and unplug it from the mains before starting any cleaning work
Always turn off your computer before cleaning it to avoid accidents. In this way, the Mac will be protected in the event that liquid should penetrate inside and reach the electronic components.
Press any key on your keyboard to make sure your MacBook is completely off. If the screen does not light up, you can proceed with the cleaning step
Step 2. Use a disinfectant wipe to clean the screen
Check the ingredients of the wipe before using it to make sure it does not contain bleach, as it is a very aggressive chemical that can irreparably damage the surfaces of the Mac. If necessary, squeeze it vigorously before using it to remove any excess of liquid that could get inside the computer.
- You don't need to buy a specific product. You can use the normal all-purpose disinfectant wipes that you can buy in any supermarket. If you want to use a product specifically designed to clean laptops and other electronic devices, you can buy it online. However, be aware that it is not necessary to obtain an optimal result.
- Alternatively, you can make a disinfectant blend using one part alcohol and one part distilled water which you will then pour into a spray dispenser. Use the mixture to moisten a clean microfiber cloth.
Step 3. Rinse the surfaces of the Mac you disinfected using a microfiber cloth dampened with plain water
Use only a soft cloth: never use paper towels or any other material that could damage the casing or screen of your Mac. Moisten it with a little water and squeeze it vigorously to remove any excess liquid.
Use the damp cloth to remove any disinfectant residue left on the Mac's surfaces
Step 4. At this point, dry your Mac using a clean microfiber cloth
Eliminate any residual moisture left. Your MacBook is now perfectly clean and disinfected. From now on try not to use the Mac when you have dirty hands. Wash them thoroughly before you go to work so your computer can stay clean for a long time.
Advice
- Avoid using bleach-based cleaning products. Apple recommends never using disinfectant sprays. The only products you need to clean your Mac are water and alcohol.
- Avoid rubbing the surfaces of the MacBook with excessive force. To avoid damaging them irreparably, apply moderate pressure.
- If the need arises, don't be afraid to ask a professional for help. This is a very useful resource, especially when you have to clean very delicate parts such as the communication ports of the Mac. If you can, contact an Apple center in your city: usually the staff offers this type of service for free.
Warnings
- Improper cleaning can cause permanent damage to your MacBook Air. Use only a soft, lint-free or microfiber cloth. Avoid using paper towels.
- Remember that excess moisture can permanently damage your Mac. For this reason, never apply water or other cleaning products directly to the device.
- Shut down your Mac completely and unplug it from the mains before you begin cleaning to eliminate the risk of a short circuit and fire.
