How to Clean Your Laptop Trackpad: Step-by-Step Guide

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Plus, we go over what supplies to use & some cleaning tips

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon Reviewed by Stan Kats

Last Updated: December 10, 2024 Fact Checked

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Trackpad Cleaning Supplies

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How to Clean a Laptop Trackpad

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Tips for Cleaning Your Trackpad

Is your laptop trackpad getting dirty? A dirty trackpad doesn't feel good to use, and sometimes, trackpads can get so dirty that they stop working properly. In this article, we'll go over what supplies you need to clean your trackpad, how you can clean it properly without damaging your computer, and some trackpad cleaning tips.

Cleaning a Laptop Trackpad

Get a soft, lint-free cloth and a gentle cleaner (such as distilled water or diluted isopropyl alcohol). Put a little cleaner on the cloth, making sure that it's only slightly dampened. Gently wipe the cloth across your trackpad, then let it dry thoroughly before using the laptop again.

Section 1 of 3:

Trackpad Cleaning Supplies

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Get a lint-free cloth and a cleaner. Avoid paper towels and facial tissues; they are too rough and leave lint. Use a microfiber towel, eyeglass cleaning cloth, or disposable lint-free cloth instead. As for cleaners, use one of the following:
- Distilled water: Safest option. Use distilled (or reverse osmosis) water, as tap and filtered water have minerals that could cause buildup.
- Diluted isopropyl alcohol: Somewhat safe. Diluted isopropyl alcohol works well, but it can cause plastic trackpads to break down faster.
- Electronics & eyeglass cleaner: Somewhat safe. These cleaners are usually alcohol-based, so they can cause deterioration. They can also cause some trackpads to not work properly after cleaning them.
- Glass cleaner: Safe for glass trackpads only. If you use glass cleaner very sparingly on plastic trackpads, they will likely be okay, but repeated use is not recommended.

Section 2 of 3:

How to Clean a Laptop Trackpad

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1
Unplug your laptop and turn it off. To avoid any potential damage to your laptop, turn it off before cleaning the trackpad.
- Before you begin, determine what material your trackpad is made of, as this determines what products are safest for it. Check your laptop's documentation or the manufacturer's website to see what material your trackpad is made of.
  - If you can't find what material your trackpad is made of, use the safest/mildest cleaning products listed above.
2
Apply a small amount of your chosen cleaner to your lint-free cloth. Never spray or pour water or liquids on your laptop. The liquid could seep inside your laptop and cause damage to the internal components.
- Your cloth should be slightly damp, not dripping wet. If you get too much cleaner on the cloth, squeeze or wring it out until it's damp.
If you press too hard, residual cleaner in the cloth could pool on your trackpad and lead to damage.
It shouldn't take more than a few seconds for your trackpad to dry, especially if you are using an alcohol-based cleaner.

Section 3 of 3:

Tips for Cleaning Your Trackpad

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To avoid using harsh products that may damage your trackpad, make sure you clean it more often. Even wiping down your trackpad with a dry cloth every time you use it will help keep it cleaner in the long run.
Lint-free cloths are recommended, but you can use a paper towel to blot up any liquid you spill on your laptop. Avoid using a wiping motion, which may push the liquid around and lead to more liquid getting inside your laptop. Allow your laptop to dry for 24 to 48 hours before using it again.
If you have a sticky residue on your trackpad, use a cotton swab and diluted isopropyl alcohol to clean it up. A cotton swab helps target the stickiest areas and keeps liquid from getting inside your laptop. After cleaning up the stickiest part of the mess, follow the steps in the section above to clean the entire trackpad.
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Shininess on your trackpad doesn't necessarily mean it's dirty. If you've had your laptop for a while, the shininess on your trackpad is likely just worn from you using it. To determine if the shininess is oil or wear, wash and dry your hands thoroughly, then swipe your finger across the trackpad. If you don't feel any residue on your finger, the shininess is due to wear.
- The shininess could also be due to wear, but it could still feel oily if the plastic of your laptop trackpad is breaking down. If this is the case, you can still clean it like normal but avoid using alcohol-based cleaners to keep the trackpad from breaking down further.
Depending on what material your trackpad is made of, it may not detect your finger if you use a cleaning wipe (usually marketed as electronics cleaner or eyeglass cleaner). If you clean your trackpad with one of these products and it stops working, use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on a lint-free cloth to remove the cleaner residue.
If you want to eat or drink while you're using your laptop, avoid touching it until you've finished. If you must use your laptop while you eat or drink, wipe your hands off before you use your trackpad and keyboard.
If dirt somehow got inside your laptop and is under your trackpad, contact your laptop's manufacturer or a computer repair specialist to discuss repair options.^{[1]
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Research source} Cleaning it yourself could lead to the internal components of your laptop getting damaged, which could lead to it not working.