# Clean Keyboard — Lock your Mac keyboard to clean it

Lock the keyboard (and trackpad) so you can wipe it clean. Esc five times unlocks. Part of OneMacTools, 138 private tools in one native Mac app (macOS 26 or later); category: Utilities. Runs on your Mac; nothing is uploaded.

Click Lock Keyboard and a full-screen Cleaning screen holds back every key — including media and brightness keys once OneMacTools is allowed under Accessibility — and, if you choose, the trackpad and mouse. Press Esc five times to unlock, or it unlocks by itself after one, two or five minutes.

Page: https://www.onemactools.com/tools/clean-keyboard · Download: https://www.onemactools.com/download · Pricing: https://www.onemactools.com/pricing

## How to use it
1. **Choose when it unlocks.** Pick 1, 2 or 5 minutes. It unlocks by itself after that, even if you never press Esc.
2. **Choose the trackpad too.** Turn on Lock the trackpad and mouse too if you'll wipe the trackpad as well.
3. **Click Lock Keyboard.** A full-screen Cleaning screen appears on every display, and keys are held back.
4. **Wipe, then press Esc five times.** Five dots fill as you press Esc; on the fifth, everything unlocks.

## Options
- **Unlock by itself after:** 1, 2 or 5 minutes. A countdown shows on the Cleaning screen.
- **Lock the trackpad and mouse too:** Also holds back clicks, scrolling and gestures, so you can wipe the trackpad without opening things.

## Tips
- Allow OneMacTools under System Settings › Privacy & Security › Accessibility the first time it asks: that lets it hold back media, brightness and system keys too.
- Without Accessibility, ordinary keys are still held back, but volume and brightness keys keep working.
- Turn the brightness up first so you can see crumbs and smudges.
- Use a barely damp microfibre cloth, never spray liquid onto the keys.
- Keep the trackpad unlocked if you only want to wipe the keyboard, so you can still move the pointer.

## Questions
**How do I lock my Mac keyboard to clean it?**
Open Clean Keyboard and click Lock Keyboard. Every key is held back until you press Esc five times or the time you chose runs out.

**Can I lock the trackpad too?**
Yes. Turn on Lock the trackpad and mouse too before you lock, and clicks, scrolling and gestures are held back as well.

**Why do the volume and brightness keys still work?**
Holding those back needs Accessibility permission. Allow OneMacTools under System Settings › Privacy & Security › Accessibility and they're locked too.

**What if I can't unlock it?**
Press Esc five times. If that doesn't work, it unlocks by itself after the time you chose, at most five minutes.

**Does it lock the screen or log me out?**
No. Your apps and work stay exactly as they are; only input is held back while the Cleaning screen shows.

**Does it work with an external keyboard?**
Yes. Any keyboard, trackpad or mouse connected to the Mac is held back.