How To Clean & Sanitize Your Mac

The coronavirus outbreak has highlighted how quickly harmful germs can spread so here we take a quick look at the best way to fully clean and sanitize your Mac.

Keyboards and touch screens obviously pick up a lot of germs and bacteria as one of the main ways we transfer germs is from our hands.

The problem with Macs is you have to be very careful when cleaning them. Anyone who’s accidentally spilled a bit of water on their MacBook trackpad for example, knows how annoying it can be to make it work properly again.

Liquid damage isn’t covered under the Apple product warranty or AppleCare Protection Plans although you may have rights under consumer law.

In the wake of the coronovirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Apple is advising users to use Clorox or Lysol wipes to disinfect any Apple product including Macs.

It’s important that you do not use bleach.

It’s also important that you use a soft microfibre cloth or lint cloth to avoid damaging your screen, keyboard or trackpad.

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Apple’s official recommendation on this is:

Is it OK to use a disinfectant on my Apple product?
Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don’t use bleach. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don’t submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don’t use on fabric or leather surfaces.

However, it does offer specific advice on the kind of materials you should use to wipe your Mac with.

• Use only a soft, lint-free cloth. Avoid abrasive cloths, towels, paper towels, or similar items.
• Avoid excessive wiping, which might cause damage.
• Unplug all external power sources, devices, and cables.
• Keep liquids away from the product, unless otherwise noted for specific products.
• Don’t get moisture into any openings.
• Don’t use aerosol sprays, bleaches, or abrasives.
• Don’t spray cleaners directly onto the item.

There are also some essential measures you should take before doing any of the above:

• Shutdown your Mac
• Unplug the power adapter

Other measures you can take to practice better hygiene with your Mac are:

• Use a Mac screen protector
• Always wash your hands after using your Mac, especially if you share it with others.

At the moment, it’s not clearly understood how long coronavirus can survive on surfaces but some estimates are that it can be up to 9 days.

It’s therefore a good idea to make sure you add cleaning your Mac properly to your hygiene regime on a daily basis.

If you have any questions on how to disinfect your Mac or MacBook, let us know in the comments below.