How to Clean Retina MacBook Pro

If you use your MacBook Pro frequently and have had it for several years, it is most likely full of dust that needs to be cleaned. Here’s how to clean your Retina MacBook Pro.

MacBooks have fans inside that are used to cool the processor during intense tasks. The processor generates heat every time it is used, and the more the processor is used, the more heat is generated. The fans inside work to blow warm air out to make room for cooler air, but these fans can bring in dust flying around and eventually build up inside and block airflow.

That’s why it’s important to clean your MacBook frequently to prevent it from overheating and damaging components that can be an expensive repair.

That said, not only does your MacBook need some love on the inside, it also needs care on the outside. While you don’t necessarily need to clean the body and screen of your MacBook Pro, doing so will make it look sleek and thus more professional at work (if you’re using your MacBook for work, that is). Otherwise, it’ll give you more power if you like a dirty-looking MacBook.

In any case, here’s how to clean your Retina MacBook Pro inside and out.

Internal Components

To access the internal components of your MacBook, you must remove the bottom plate, which is secured to the MacBook using very small pentalobe screws. This means you will need a pentalobe screwdriver (more specifically, a P5 pentalobe screwdriver). You can buy these pretty cheap on Amazon, but this kit it will have everything you need and then some.

You will also need a can of compressed air (also known as an air duster). You can get them almost anywhere, as they are sold in all office supply stores.

Once you have your supplies, it’s time to get started and get into the belly of the beast.

Start by obviously closing your MacBook and then turning it over with the bottom facing up. Be sure to lay it on a towel or other large cloth to avoid scratching it while working on it.

Next, take your pentalobe screwdriver and carefully remove all the screws on the sides. These screws are really small so make sure you don’t lose them. Also, make sure you know where each screw goes, as some of the screws are of different lengths and only fit certain screw holes.

Next, remove the bottom plate to reveal the inside of your MacBook Pro. You should notice that most of the dust is accumulating around the fan and along the edge where the vent is. This is where you will use your compressed air the most.

Lightly spray the airbox along the edge of the vent to remove dust, but do not overspray. If you blow it completely with compressed air, you may damage some components. As for blowing the fans, be sure to hold the fan with your finger while spraying to make sure the fan doesn’t move. Air can cause the fan to spin faster than designed and possibly damage the motor and break the fan.

Blow air to any place with dust accumulation. At that point, that’s all. After most of the dust is removed, you can reinstall the bottom plate and screw it back on. You won’t be able to get rid of every single dust particle, but the important thing is to get rid of most of them.

view

Your MacBook’s screen can be covered in dust, fingerprints, and smudges after just a few months of use. Even if you think you’ve never touched your screen, fingerprints and smudges always have a way of making your MacBook’s screen look gross, but there is an easy way to clean it.

Take a soft, lint-free cloth (preferably a microfiber cloth) and a solution of water and dish soap. Use dish soap very easily because you literally only need a drop of it.

Next, shut down your MacBook completely. Now dampen your cloth with a solution of water and dish soap and start wiping the screen to remove fingerprints and smudges (never spray the water solution directly on the screen). I like to wipe in a circular motion, but there is no specific way of erasing that you need to know.

After you finish wiping the screen, take a dry microfiber cloth and finish wiping the screen to collect any remaining water and dry it completely.

Aluminum Shell

If the aluminum shell on your MacBook Pro is starting to look a little worse for wear, take the cloth you used for your display and moisten it again with the water solution. Again, wipe the surface of the MacBook to get rid of any smudges or marks.

Make sure you don’t keep your cloth too damp, as excess water can get into cracks and damage internal components. Make sure you only keep your cloth moist enough so you’re only getting your MacBook wet enough to wipe off any mess.

Then take a dry cloth and dry your MacBook. All ok!