Yesterday, I spilled tea on my 15in MacBook Pro by accident. There was a little bit of sugar in the tea. It mostly just got on the lower right part where it is just plain aluminum but I got some on the arrow keys. There was nothing broken left arrow key now sticks a little bit and makes a funny sound when I press it. All of the other keys are fine. Is there anything I can do to clean it out? I can't imagine that it is sticking because of sugar because there was almost no sugar in the tea, but it might be because of that. If I take the key off, can I wipe below the key (and the underside of the key) with a damp towel? Or will this just make it worse? Should I get a replacement key?
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Spilled tea on MacBook Pro
- Thread starter stoopkitty
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i dont know but felt i had to say this, never drink or have any consumables near your computer equipment, lesson learned, and i do genuinely feel for you, i nearly spilled something on my macbook but i threw it up in the air and caught it between my hand and shoulder lol quick reactions save the day..
not again. Computers and liquids don't mix. Keep liquids away from your expensive computer. A tea is how much, 5 bucks for the most expensive, your MBP is how much? Hope you learn a lesson. Alcohol or non contact cleaners will do the trick.
I'm not sure if there is anything to clean it with. I would definitely refrain from using it for a few days to make sure that everything dries out before you run electricity through it.
Let it dry for at least five days.
Then use denatured alcohol to clean it. Pour the alcohol sparingly, on a microfiber cloth to dampen it. (buy at Home Depot, Lowes etc).
It will not leave any residue like other cleaners do. Nor will it harm the plastic keys.
Then use denatured alcohol to clean it. Pour the alcohol sparingly, on a microfiber cloth to dampen it. (buy at Home Depot, Lowes etc).
It will not leave any residue like other cleaners do. Nor will it harm the plastic keys.
Exactly this. However I'd also recommend using a few Q-Tips for the harder to reach places such as the key's spring mechanism.
Thanks guys!! I took off the key, scrubbed the bottom of the key and underneath the key on the keyboard with rubbing alcohol and it works almost perfectly. I will definitely be more careful in the future and I'm very lucky that the damage was limited almost entirely to one key. 
Thanks guys!! I took off the key, scrubbed the bottom of the key and underneath the key on the keyboard with rubbing alcohol and it works almost perfectly. I will definitely be more careful in the future and I'm very lucky that the damage was limited almost entirely to one key.
You didn't see the part about letting it dry for several days, hmm? You got tea in the keyboard, which means it could have gotten down inside the other components. It takes very little liquid to cause damage to your computers internals. Just because it's working now doesn't mean all is well. If liquid got inside, it could just take time for the damage to show up. Whenever you get liquid in your computer, you need to immediately shut it down, put it in rice or something if possible and let it dry. Using it before you know it's dry is a very, very bad idea.
Thanks guys!! I took off the key, scrubbed the bottom of the key and underneath the key on the keyboard with rubbing alcohol and it works almost perfectly. I will definitely be more careful in the future and I'm very lucky that the damage was limited almost entirely to one key.
so ur not getting a cover?
Yes and no, we all like to drink, be it whatever, split level is the key if your drink is lower than your computer, then all things being equal, the worst you have to deal with is a clean up
We have two youngsters running around and I dont want to exclude them from my home office, if anything very much the opposite, planning for a spill is not such a bad idea, as it`s bound to happen...
Yes and no, we all like to drink, be it whatever, split level is the key if your drink is lower than your computer, then all things being equal, the worst you have to deal with is a clean up
We have two youngsters running around and I dont want to exclude them from my home office, if anything very much the opposite, planning for a spill is not such a bad idea, as it`s bound to happen...
not to cause an arguement but i disagree i have a child who runs around like a lunatic, spills happen but never near my laptop because anyone sensible would not have equipment worth nearly a grand next to a beverage, thats just asking for trouble... its not planning for a spill, its making sure that your sensible and ensuring you know what your doing so that liquids cannot get in contact with your expensive electrical equipment, if your unable to do that then you shouldnt have such expensive things then...
again not trying to argue but didnt really think that "its bound to happen" was such a good comment...
No argument, just differing implementation like I say is the cup, mug, glass is lower than the computers, then they wont get "hit" I never have any liquids on the same desk
with youngsters "if it can, it will happen" and we live in a hot climate so juice and drinks are common place for them.I like to think of it more as planning for the spill as opposed to stopping the spill
my desk has two 15" MBP`s, an HP Ultraportable notebook, and from time to time the 13" Air each has their specific use, the kids come and play and things happen, net result "clean up" The two MBP`s are on Rain Design`s Mstand`s these are the primaries, the HP/Air on a standard elevator/cooler, any drinks are a good 6" below the desk This is exactly why I invested in a moshi palmguard and keyboard protector.
It's also worth keeping in mind that if you do travel, you won't have much control over what others do around you. So if you're at a coffee shop and a clumsy waiter spills juice on your MBP, you're hosed.
I don't think it would even be worth suing someone for property damage since the cost of the suit would exceed the price of a MBP.
It's also worth keeping in mind that if you do travel, you won't have much control over what others do around you. So if you're at a coffee shop and a clumsy waiter spills juice on your MBP, you're hosed.
I don't think it would even be worth suing someone for property damage since the cost of the suit would exceed the price of a MBP.
I love to eat and drink while Im using my computer, so i spend $90 a year on personal property insurance that covers everything I own from accidental damage Also, they payout "Replacement Cost" so if i were to spill a drink into my 2010 laptop it would be replaced by a newer model.
The 90 bucks is worth the peace of mind to be able to enjoy a beer while I'm working.
Also, they payout "Replacement Cost" so if i were to spill a drink into my 2010 laptop it would be replaced by a newer model. The 90 bucks is worth the peace of mind to be able to enjoy a beer while I'm working.