How To Clean Your White Macbook
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If there is a guy in this world who keeps his hands cleaner than I like to keep mine, I have yet to meet him. My biggest pet peeve is dirty or sticky hands. But even with my problem struggle, my white macbook still gets dirty. You can easily see which keys I use the most.
I’ve tried the specialized products like iKlear but they just didn’t do that great of a job. So, out of frustration, I just raided my cleaning cabinet to see what was in there. (Of course, I did this while my wife was gone. I didn’t want her getting any ideas.)
I pulled out the Glass Plus Wipes and thought they looked as good as anything else.
The back said that they were safe enough for computer screens, but I decided to wipe down my whole machine with it. I fired up the keyboard cleaner appand got my wipe on. It turned out awesome. The keys, mouse, and palm rest are all clean again. And for an added bonus, they all feel like they did when they were new.
So I’m sharing this tip because they worked great for me. And, they are cheap. We got ours at Albertson’s for $3.99 Obviously be cautious with your own machine. Maybe try a little corner or key first.
March 15th, 2007 at 6:14 pm
I saw this and I had to try it. My macbook is SHINY now. I have to say that this is the best way to clean a white macbook. I love the app, and I love the whole site here. Thanks for everything you do, and keep up the great info!
March 15th, 2007 at 6:30 pm
Ryan, thanks for dropping a note. I’m lad it worked for you.
March 15th, 2007 at 7:53 pm
any suggestions for cleaning macbook pro?
March 16th, 2007 at 8:04 am
I still trying to think of a reason I would need a special app to clean my keyboard, instead of just cleaning it while my laptop is off?
Respectfully Yours.
March 16th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Carlo, It’s just a thing of convenience. Alot of folks like to keep a high uptime on their Macs.
March 16th, 2007 at 8:24 am
I would love to know what the hell is the deal with the wrist rest in the mac book pro. It picks up skin oil in seconds, and this is even after literally sterilizing my hands. Two minutes later and there’s a smudge all over the right side of the wrist rest, the area above the DVD.
March 16th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
I was wary of trying non-acetone nail polish remover on the wrist rest like I had read all about but it took off the skin oil and discoloration right away. I would not recommend it for any of the other plastic surfaces of a macbook, however, as it leaves behind residue.
March 18th, 2007 at 7:30 am
You can also use rubbing alcohol to clean your white macbook which I did. It worked well, although the Glass Plus wipes may be better.
March 18th, 2007 at 11:03 am
So these will work for the screen, as well?
Thanks so much, I’ve been wondering what to clean my MacBook with, I got it in November, and it’s already dirty!
March 24th, 2007 at 8:12 pm
It’s hopeless to get some of the skin oil off my laptop. What I’ve resorted to is to place “stickey notes” on each side of the mouse-pad, and I replace them about every two-three weeks. I’ve tried nail-polish remover, alcohol, and the Mr. Clean erasers. Nothing worked. The stickey notes are the best solution I could come up with.
March 25th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
I found that Mr. Clean erasers are the best! And as far as residue, use Goo Gone, it’s the best for removing goo from any surface.
March 26th, 2007 at 3:35 pm
yea i was gonna say that. they r just really big magic marker erasers. I work in a detail shop and we use them all the time. they get everything nice a new looking.
March 28th, 2007 at 11:41 am
Good tip I got from the Genius Bar. Don’t use hand sanitizer before you use your MacBook because it doesn’t completely absorb and will rub off of your hands onto the palm rest and makes it far dirtier than if you didn’t use it at all.
March 31st, 2007 at 4:54 am
hi there! I agree with sKurt, Mr. Crean Magic Eraser does the job but I use ARIX Magic Eraser. It’s cheaper compared to Mr. Clean. My iBook is back to it’s original clean white appearance.:)
March 31st, 2007 at 11:48 am
How about the black macbook?
April 2nd, 2007 at 9:54 am
I don’t know if they’re available outside of Singapore/Asia, but I use a S$15 silicone protector for my keyboard, especially designed to keep the dust off between the keys, and also protects it in case you spill your drink on the keyboard (well, not completely but at least it would buy you a few seconds to tip it over and get the liquid off before it gets a chance to enter). It works great..it feels funny at first but you get used to it. The protector itself gets dirty easily but at least your keyboard’s clean when you peel it off.
The sales guy also showed me a plastic palm rest and touchpad protector, but I didn’t get it because it was S$20…but I might end up getting it anyways…
April 3rd, 2007 at 9:32 am
I just got a macbook and it’s dirty already
Can you get these wipes in the UK? Anyone in the UK got any similar tip?
April 11th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
im from the uk..
i got my macbook a month ago and after a few days the palm rests were grimy (even though i am a compulsive handwasher)…
anyway so i tried makeup remover wipes- unsurprisingly didnt work..
however just sprayed a bit of perfume on a wipe and the dirt has pretty much gone now.
i like the idea above of using post-its on the spaces from now on.
May 8th, 2007 at 10:11 pm
Thank you, thank you. My little mac is all but a month old and already, signs of film around the touch pad. Am going to buy some glass plus tomorrow!
May 20th, 2007 at 1:08 pm
Hi,
I am from London and I am not able to find Glass plus Wipes here. any other product that you hav used and available in the uk?
thanks
July 1st, 2007 at 11:52 am
my husband just tried cleaning mine with our natural household cleansers: 1 part wanter and 1 part white vinegar spray and a wee bit of baking soda added to the paper towel. took off not only black ink but also metallic silver ink; the whole thing, including the trackpad, looked like new in 5 minutes. the baking soda left almost no abrasion. amazing!
July 19th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
Hi there. Wondering if anyone know where to get Arix Magic Eraser or Mr Clean Erasers from? What sort of shop can i purchase?
Many thanks.
July 19th, 2007 at 8:07 pm
does anyone know where i can buy Mr Clean Erasers?
Thanks.
July 24th, 2007 at 11:01 am
so it’s safe to use these wipes for the screen right??
August 9th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
scotch tape cleans keys the best, and faster than sticky notes. do one key at a time and rub the tape in good then slowly peel it off…. man does it feel good to have a clean spacebar again
August 10th, 2007 at 12:52 pm
Perfume is alcohol based, as are many house cleaners, so the rubbing alcohol mentioned above may do the trick cheaper (test first of course).
Also - re: the magic eraser, we used it on our white walls once. Looks great…until the light shone on it just the right way and you could see where it had been used
Don’t know if that was poor paint quality or what, but I don’t use them anymore.
August 16th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
I thought the rubbing alcohol was alright. Some of the darker spots are still there (right where I set my wrists), but my computer feels nice and clean. I think I might have to try the ‘magic eraser’…
August 29th, 2007 at 2:52 pm
WOW! Was looking for some stuff to get the “palm prints” off my new white MacBook. Found a Scotch Brite Easy Erasing Pad under the kitchen sink. Woot! Like brand new. The white (cleaning side) instantly dissolved the hand oil/dirt. Amazing. Thanks for posting this topic!
September 7th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
alcohol doesn’t work
September 12th, 2007 at 9:48 am
[…] Must Do: How to clean your white MacBook […]
September 12th, 2007 at 11:44 am
A note of caution: Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, and similar products, are actually just fine-grained sandpaper, of a sorts.
If used too frequently, you will wear away the surface of your MacBook.
These Glass Plus Wipes might be a better long-term solution, since they aren’t abrasive!
September 12th, 2007 at 6:09 pm
i have a black macbook & i have oil from my fingers that won’t come off of the mousepad. any suggestions on getting the oil of the mouse pad? thanks!
September 17th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Hi, does anyone know where I can get the Glass Plus Wipes in New York City?
September 21st, 2007 at 10:25 am
Just use an eraser to rub off stains on keypad…yep works pretty well
September 30th, 2007 at 6:53 am
Wonderful comments. I just got my macbook-loving everything about it. I can’t help but notice that the keyboard already needs a bit of a touch-up. Are the Mr. Clean Erasers ok to use on the mouse pad too?
October 3rd, 2007 at 8:26 am
Amy, you’ll be able to find those glass wipes almost anywhere in NYC. Try a hardware store if you have one by you, but your best bet is just a generic super market like Gristedes or Food Emporium. Finally, if you can’t find them at any of those, take a trip to Home Depot on 23rd street between 5th and 6th. They will have them there, no question.
October 15th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
Clorox Disenfecting Wipes also work very well! It even says on the label under “General Use” cleans telephones, doorknobs, computer keyboards, etc….The Lemon Fresh smell nice and are bleach free. I just used it on my new iMac white keyboard and the dirt came right off of the keys. You can buy them at any office supply store online, like Staples, Office Depot, and if you’re a frequent flyer on United, (or any airline), you can go to the United Mileage Plus Mall, select Staples.com and get supplies and points to boot!!
October 18th, 2007 at 9:24 am
I’m not sure Mr. Clean Magic Erasers are the best idea.. they could scratch up you laptop, but it is up to you. Thanks for the tips!
October 18th, 2007 at 10:32 am
Actually before you use any liquid, try erasing the part where your wrists go with a big eraser. That seems to take a lof of the grey grime off.
October 19th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
To all you Magic Eraser haters:
I really doubt it is going to wear away your macbook pad, maybe after 10 years of scrubbing. I tried a bunch of cleaners, alcohol and windex, they did alright. But I have to say the Magic Eraser is where its at. If you have a dirty palm rest, a very light scrub with a little water made it all go away!!! I have thoroughly inspected the area I used it on, and it looks great!
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:23 pm
saw in another forum that you could use staedler erasers… works like a charm!
October 23rd, 2007 at 9:06 am
i heard that you are not supposed to use Windex on the screen because it contains ammonia which wrecks the finish. Does anyone know if these wipes contain ammonia? I looked around at my local stores and could not find any wipes that did not. And does anybody know if these Glass Plus wipes are available in Canada?
November 25th, 2007 at 9:11 am
I just used the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on my mouse pad to get the oil off and it didn’t work. Any more suggestions?
January 30th, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I fell in love with the Glass Plus Wipes about two years ago. We have two little boys who love to put their little fingers on everything. The wipes work great on mirrors and stainless steel appliances, too. HOWEVER, within the past month, I have had a very hard time trying to find some in the stores - any store. I finally called the company and they told me that they DISCONTINUED the product about a month ago. They suggested that I buy all of them if I saw them at any store. We live in the Chicago area and let me tell you, I have not found them anywhere! So, my advice to you is, if you see them, stock up!!
February 6th, 2008 at 8:07 am
Sabina is right. Normal erasers work. U can notice the difference as you rub away…!!
March 11th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
rubbing alcohol doesnt work, and i guess only certain erasers work. i’ve tried the armor-all wipes (the yellow one) and that works sort of well, though not completely white and new. tried using eye glasses cleaner too.. doesnt work. also have tried products that are sold just to clean the macbook.. those dont work either. if i run across these glass wipes, i’ll definitely buy them. hopefully they’ll work! =)
March 12th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
hey,that soundslike a great idea i think im going to try it
i got it 4 x-mas and it is already dirty dosnt that sux
March 13th, 2008 at 10:23 am
I just tried the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on the wrist pad of my white macbook and it worked like a charm! i had previously tried windex glass cleaner wipes and they didn’t work. The Mr. Clean worked immediately!
April 5th, 2008 at 10:26 pm
Hey have you noticed the black wipe that came with the laptop…I think it is made of rubber…and it leaves some rubber over the computer…it cleans pretty well the dirt over the white notebook