It is possible to clean a jumpy or inaccurate touchpad on a laptop by wiping it using a cotton ball dipped in distilled water or isopropyl alcohol. Afterward, use a microfiber cloth to dry the touchpad.
Today, laptops are excessively used for work, education, entertainment, and general home computer use leading to dirt, dust, and spots on the touchpad.
If you have already tried wiping your laptop touchpad out with a plain tissue and it didn’t work for you, don’t fret; we will guide you on how to clean a touchpad on your laptop, and we’re sure it will work wonders for you.
Why Should I Clean My Laptop’s Touchpad?
Using a laptop touchpad with dirty hands such as moisture or oil on them can cause it to behave erratically and result in premature wear. Cleaning the touchpad from time to time prolongs its life. A clean touchpad precisely detects your finger movements for quick response.
Tips to Consider While Cleaning Touchpad
While cleaning your laptop touchpad, here are a few things to consider.
- Use alcohol as a base cleaner. It would help remove dirt and grime from your touchpad. Also, the alcohol evaporates quickly and does not damage your laptop’s sensitive components.
- Never directly pour any liquid on the touchpad. Use a cotton ball and drain excess liquid.
- Please do not put the liquid near the laptop while cleaning as it might spill on it.
- The touchpad is a sensitive part of the laptop; never press it too hard while cleaning. Also, avoid scrubbing it too much.
Use soap to wash your hands if you have consumed any oily food. Always wash and dry your hands before touching the keypad. Otherwise, your touchpad may not work after cleaning, resulting in costly fixes.
Cleaning Laptop Touchpad
Cleaning a touchpad on a laptop is a relatively straightforward procedure. Our easy step-by-step instructions will help you go through the entire process effortlessly.
We’ll also discuss removing scratches from your laptop touchpad and share a few tips to keep it clean for a long time. So, without further ado, let’s jump directly to how to clean the touchpad on a laptop.
Step #1: Shutting Down the Laptop
Shut down your laptop and make sure it is not on charge before commencing the cleaning process. Ensure all the necessary equipment required is placed nearby.
Step #2: Using Water or Isopropyl Alcohol
Grab a cotton ball and dip it in distilled water or isopropyl alcohol. Now squeeze the cotton ball to get rid of the excess water or alcohol and use it to wipe your touchpad. In the case of water, make sure no abundance of water gets into the touchpad from the confines.
Step #3: Wiping the Touchpad
Take a soft dry cloth and clean the touchpad leaving it completely dry. Next, grab a cotton swab and clean the boundaries of your laptop touchpad. That’s about it.
If you see some stubborn stain marks on your touchpad, damp a cotton ball in a glass cleaner, wipe the touchpad with the solution, and dry it with a soft cloth. Do not forget to see the instructions as per your laptop’s manual, as some brands, including Apple, don’t approve of the cleaning process this way.
How to Remove Scratches from Laptop Touchpad?
If your laptop has a plastic casting, it is more likely to get scratches with regular use. Though it is impossible to avoid them altogether, you can keep them safe for a longer time with regular care. Here are a few methods to do so.
Using Toothpaste
Apply toothpaste on your fingertip, apply to the scratch on the touchpad, and rub it clockwise. Next, soak a microfiber cloth in water and thoroughly rinse the toothpaste. Now, clean the toothpaste with a dry part of the cloth.
Citrus Cleaner
Citrus-based cleaners are exceptionally effective at removing scratch marks on laptops. Apply a minor amount of citrus cleaner on a cotton ball and apply it to the scratches on your laptop to remove them.
Scratch Remover
Scratch removers are commonly available in hardware shops. They are also known as magic erasers. The automotive scratch removers also work great. You can use a tiny amount of these removers on your laptop’s trackpad to get rid of those hideous scratches.
Silicone Spray
Silicon sprays are readily available in the market. You can select the most appropriate one depending on the quality and performance of the product.
Spray a small amount of product on the cotton ball and cleanse the trackpad. You can also use silicone spray to clean the laptop’s body to give it a glossy new look.
Tips to Maintain the Touchpad of your Laptop
Below are some practical tips for maintaining your laptop touchpad;
- Use a protector for your touchpad to keep it safe from scratches.
- Be gentle while operating the touchpad.
- Use a pencil and paper to kill boredom; stop scratching that touchpad with your nails out of boredom, aggression, or frustration.
Summary
In this guide about cleaning the touchpad on a laptop, we described the cleaning method in simple steps. We also discussed removing scratches from the touchpad and some practical tips and tricks for maintaining it.
Hopefully, with this guide, you don’t have to worry anymore. Now you can clean your laptop touchpad and get rid of nasty scratches without any issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use a magic eraser on the laptop. Using the magic eraser is very simple. Just glide the eraser on the surface of your laptop that contains grime, grease, or oil. However, be cautious and apply it lightly as these erasers can alter the surface’s finish.
You can clean a Mac trackpad with water with a slightly damp, lint-free soft cloth. However, it would be best to wipe off excess moisture with a clean, dry microfiber cloth. Be advised that Apple strongly opposes using any chemical or cleaning solution to clean the trackpad.
