Keeping Your MacBook Clean and Dandy

Are you a recent convert to Apple? Have you finally purchased that cool little MacBook? And, are you dissatisfied with the current appearance of the MacBook?

Have no fear.

The MacBook (specifically the black one) can get pretty dirty, smudgy, and worn in a short period of time. For those who use their notebooks for work purposes as well as personal purposes will see this grime appear even sooner. The fact is, the computer is a the new household item. We use it many, many times a day to check emails, look at the news, and peruse the local sports. What this means, however, is as we get more and more accustomed to the computer, the more likely we are to be less careful around the computer.

One of the common eyesores on the MacBook are fingerprints. With constant opening and shutting, the laptop is going to inevitably be exposed the oils and dirt on your fingers. It is nearly impossible to avoid these marks. The other most common blemishes on the computer are marks from outside sources. Remember the other day at the coffee shop when that guy banged your table and some coffee splashed onto your keyboard? Yeah. Or, when you were typing furiously away on an deadline email during lunch and some ranch dressing spilled over your track pad? Oh yeah. These things are common, but there is a solution.

First, it is important to clean the MacBook of the looser gunk and grime. Shut down the laptop, and remove the battery. Inside, you may be surprised to see crumbs, dust bunnies, and possibly lost items. Another common complaint is improper functioning of the track button. This cleaning should alleviate that problem. Next, go to your local drug store of supermarket and pick up a 'Magic Eraser,' or one of the many generic varieties of the cleaning sponge. Before using this, take a dry cloth to the entire surface of the MacBook, and remove all dust and loose particles on the screen, the keyboard, and the laptop face. Next, lightly wet the cleaning sponge and give the flat faces a good once over. Be careful not to use too much water. Finish these large spaces with a the dry cloth again (usually the best cloth is the one with which the laptop came).

Now, as for the keyboard, it is not advisable to use the Magic Eraser. Water can seep into the electronics of the machine and cause problems. Instead, use the dry cloth to remove as much of the loose grime and dust, and then use the compressed air canisters to remove the hard to reach dust. If there is a significant stain or area of grime that is tough to remove, you might be better to bring the laptop to a professional so as not to compromise your machine.

The ultimate goal here is to maintain the integrity and the appearance of your MacBook, so when in doubt, consult a professional. The above tactics will work to keep that beautiful machine sparkling.