Quick Scoop

Turn the MacBook Air off immediately, unplug it, and don’t try to charge or use it again until it has dried fully. Tea can leave sticky residue and may cause corrosion, so the safest next step is to let a professional inspect it even if it seems to work afterward.

What to do now

  1. Power it down right away.
  2. Unplug the charger and remove any accessories.
  3. Blot the outside dry with a lint-free cloth or paper towel.
  4. Hold it in a tent-like or upside-down position so liquid can drain out.
  5. Leave it off and dry for at least 48 hours before testing it.

What not to do

  • Do not keep typing, clicking, or trying to “see if it still works.”
  • Do not plug it in while moisture may still be inside.
  • Do not shake it hard or blast liquid deeper into the keyboard.
  • Do not rely on rice as a real fix.

When to get help

If the spill was more than a few drops, if the keyboard or trackpad acts oddly, or if the MacBook turns on but shows problems later, book a repair visit as soon as possible. Tea is often more damaging than plain water because of sugar and acids, so delayed corrosion is a real risk.

Forum pattern

Across recent forum posts, people give the same basic advice: shut it down fast, disconnect power, dry it upside down, and wait before powering back on. That repeated advice is useful, but it is not a guarantee that internal damage has not already started.

TL;DR: power off now, unplug everything, dry it upside down, wait 48 hours, and get it checked if anything seems off afterward.