Sanitize PDF
Deep-clean your PDFs by removing hidden layers, metadata, scripts, and embedded attachments. Ensure your public documents are 100% clean.
Upload PDF File
About This Tool
A PDF is often more than what you see on the surface. It can contain hidden layers, discarded metadata, embedded JavaScript, and even deleted objects that are still recoverable. The Sanitize PDF tool performs a "deep clean" to ensure your document is safe for public eyes.
This process strips out all non-visual data: Metadata (author, software, dates), Form Data, JavaScript actions, Embedded Files, and Hidden Layers. It is a critical step for government agencies, legal firms, and businesses that need to prevent "data leakage" through hidden document components.
Local Privacy Scrubbing: Sanitization involves scanning every object in the file. Our local processing ensures that this intensive cleaning happens on your machine, not on a remote server.
How to Use
Upload Your PDF
Select the file you want to sanitize.
Select Cleanup Level
Choose whether to remove everything or specific hidden elements.
Sanitize and Download
Download your cleaned, "safe-for-distribution" PDF.
Use Cases
Public Release
Clean internal documents before posting them on a public website.
Security Hardening
Remove potentially malicious scripts or macros from unknown PDFs.
FOIA/Legal Requests
Ensure no hidden information is accidentally shared in legal discovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does sanitization remove visible text?
No. This tool only targets "non-visible" data. To remove visible text, use the "Find and Redact" tool instead.
Will my links and bookmarks still work?
Standard links usually remain, but advanced JavaScript-based buttons or complex interactive features will be removed for security.
Is this the same as "Remove Metadata"?
Sanitization is more aggressive. While "Remove Metadata" only clears file properties, "Sanitize" also removes scripts, hidden layers, and attachments.