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sultanoflondon

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 3, 2013
342
16
Hi all,

I have an iMac 27", Late 2012 version, which I haven't cleaned properly since I bought it.

As a result, it has become very dusty, externally, on the stand, near USB ports, the lock mount and especially where the air inlet grille is, behind the screen.

On old tower PCs in the past, I have opened it up and cleaned out the dust which has accumulated in the fans, near the motherboard, etc.

I won't open up my iMac because it is a much more complicated procedure and not with simple screwdrivers, nuts and bolts.

Also, my iMac has started to show signs of ageing in terms of lag and responsiveness, so I think that cleaning it physically would help to reduce this effect.

How do I clean my computer effectively?

Thank you!
 

Samuelsan2001

macrumors 604
Oct 24, 2013
7,729
2,153
With a slightly damp soft cloth

Hi all,

I have an iMac 27", Late 2012 version, which I haven't cleaned properly since I bought it.

As a result, it has become very dusty, externally, on the stand, near USB ports, the lock mount and especially where the air inlet grille is, behind the screen.

On old tower PCs in the past, I have opened it up and cleaned out the dust which has accumulated in the fans, near the motherboard, etc.

I won't open up my iMac because it is a much more complicated procedure and not with simple screwdrivers, nuts and bolts.

Also, my iMac has started to show signs of ageing in terms of lag and responsiveness, so I think that cleaning it physically would help to reduce this effect.

How do I clean my computer effectively?

Thank you!

If your system has slowed slightly, do a repair disk and repair disk permisions in disk utility.

If that doesn't help then try a clean install of OSX and only migrate back the stuff you actually need to keep from your backup.
 

sultanoflondon

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 3, 2013
342
16
If your system has slowed slightly, do a repair disk and repair disk permisions in disk utility.

If that doesn't help then try a clean install of OSX and only migrate back the stuff you actually need to keep from your backup.


Will do the repair disk, thanks!

I have no junk on my computer: I actively try to keep the disk free from unnecessary files, so a clean install of OS X may not make much of a difference. Also, I have upgraded it from the original OS X Lion to OS X Yosemite, would this make a difference? Would a clean install revert the system back to Lion? And, what about all the Yosemite-optimised files?
 

Samuelsan2001

macrumors 604
Oct 24, 2013
7,729
2,153
You can

Will do the repair disk, thanks!

I have no junk on my computer: I actively try to keep the disk free from unnecessary files, so a clean install of OS X may not make much of a difference. Also, I have upgraded it from the original OS X Lion to OS X Yosemite, would this make a difference? Would a clean install revert the system back to Lion? And, what about all the Yosemite-optimised files?

...reinstall yosemite, you can even do it and keep all the files and everything the same with an internet reinstall

https://support.apple.com/kb/PH18872?locale=en_GB&viewlocale=en_US

You can also try a SMC and PRAM reset if you think it relevant, see here...

https://gigaom.com/2011/07/26/when-to-reset-your-macs-pram-and-smc/
 

sultanoflondon

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Dec 3, 2013
342
16
...reinstall yosemite, you can even do it and keep all the files and everything the same with an internet reinstall

https://support.apple.com/kb/PH18872?locale=en_GB&viewlocale=en_US

You can also try a SMC and PRAM reset if you think it relevant, see here...

https://gigaom.com/2011/07/26/when-to-reset-your-macs-pram-and-smc/

Thanks for your reply.

I don't think I need a SMC or PRAM reset, the system isn't "misbehaving" per se, but rather it is occasionally lagging after waking up from sleep.

I did the Apple Diagnostics check (by holding 'D' during start up) and it found no errors.

I was going to do a 'Repair Disk', but after a bit of research, i don't think that doing that is entirely necessary.
 

Samuelsan2001

macrumors 604
Oct 24, 2013
7,729
2,153
Just do them anyway

Thanks for your reply.

I don't think I need a SMC or PRAM reset, the system isn't "misbehaving" per se, but rather it is occasionally lagging after waking up from sleep.

I did the Apple Diagnostics check (by holding 'D' during start up) and it found no errors.

I was going to do a 'Repair Disk', but after a bit of research, i don't think that doing that is entirely necessary.

They won't do any harm and they may well fix your issues especially repairing the disk and disk permissions.

If you have upgraded to Yosemite then the hang from sleep is a bug that seems to be only fixed by a reinstall. (although it can also becaused by remounting external HDD's)
 

shaunp

Cancelled
Nov 5, 2010
1,811
1,395
A bucket of hot soapy water and a sponge should do it. Hang it out on the washing line when you are done. ;)

Joking aside a small hand-held hoover works for getting dust out of the vents - make sure the iMac is turned off first. Baby wet-wipes work well on keyboards and casings and there are a ton of screen cleaning products.

As for the system responsiveness a complete reformat every few years works too, although I find now I'm using SSD I don't need to rebuild that often. I have an early 2013 rMBP and it's not showing any signs of needing a rebuild. It's been upgraded from Mountain Lion, to Mavericks and Yosemite without doing a clean reinstall.

If you are doing a rebuild it might be a good time to maybe put your system disk onto an external thunderbolt SSD if you can (not sure if the 2012 iMac has thunderbolt) as this will help with system responsiveness. Also how much RAM do you have? You've had the machine a while, are you now hitting the RAM limits.
 

supercooled

macrumors 6502a
Sep 6, 2007
737
1
I've been using half and half solution of rubbing alcohol and water for many years on my LCD screens so I'm using that on my iMac but the silver bezel on the bottom has some unsightly stains from, umm... sauces.

I am in the bad habit of eating at my computer and sometimes spaghetti sauce flies off errantly. I think the acidity in the sauce has done irreparable damage to it because nothing I use seem to work so thus far.

Any suggestions?
 

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Buerkletucson

macrumors 6502a
Sep 12, 2015
507
298
Minnesota
I've been using half and half solution of rubbing alcohol and water for many years on my LCD screens so I'm using that on my iMac but the silver bezel on the bottom has some unsightly stains from, umm... sauces.

I am in the bad habit of eating at my computer and sometimes spaghetti sauce flies off errantly. I think the acidity in the sauce has done irreparable damage to it because nothing I use seem to work so thus far.

Any suggestions?

Maybe stop eating at your computer? :cool:
Definitely not good for the keyboard either.....

I use about 10% isopropyl alcohol with 90% distilled water solution to clean all my screens.....iMac, iPhones, iPads, etc.
 
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stevefo

macrumors regular
Mar 16, 2013
187
38
I use an all cotton cloth dampened with hot water and buff with a dry cotton cloth. Always does a great job. Never had any issues.
 

tillsbury

macrumors 68000
Dec 24, 2007
1,513
454
Lol I'm just thinking of all the OCD freaks on this forum having fits reading about someone eating spaghetti in front of their iMac... :)
 

Laai

macrumors regular
Apr 23, 2012
143
33
Germany
You can get 99% alcohol based cleaning solution. It will clean every stain you have, as well as disinfect the mac. The alcohol will not harm the machine, since it is made of glas and aluminum. You can also use any alcohol based windows cleaning solution, also works great.
 

maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,738
I use an all cotton cloth dampened with hot water and buff with a dry cotton cloth. Always does a great job. Never had any issues.
Given the chemicals/impurities in tap water. I'd recommend something else. Its possible choline or other additives may be a harsher on the display then maybe you want it to be.
 
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stevefo

macrumors regular
Mar 16, 2013
187
38
Given the chemicals/impurities in tap water. I'd recommend something else. Its possible choline or other additives may be a harsher on the display then maybe you want it to be.

These are specific Apple instructions. Doesn't say what kind of water.
 

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TheIntruder

macrumors 68000
Jul 2, 2008
1,760
1,272
I learned my lesson the hard way back in the CRT days -- no chemicals of any kind, even "screen cleaners" meant for computer screens, and presumably "safe."

I had some Kensington (not some fly by night brand) cleaner take the AR coating off the monitor surface. Both Sony and Samsung monitors; again, not some cheap no-names.

The iMacs' screens may or may not be coated, but I wouldn't take any chances.

Anything that has even the slightest possibility of having optical coatings (screens, eyeglasses) requires caution.

If you're in an area with hard water, just get some distilled water from the market. It's cheap.
 
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maflynn

macrumors Haswell
May 3, 2009
73,682
43,738
These are specific Apple instructions. Doesn't say what kind of water.
True but then there can be all sorts of harsh chemicals in public water systems. If you want to use water, be my guest but I'd want to avoid such things - just my $.02 :)
 

Laai

macrumors regular
Apr 23, 2012
143
33
Germany
True but then there can be all sorts of harsh chemicals in public water systems. If you want to use water, be my guest but I'd want to avoid such things - just my $.02 :)
Honestly, if you can drink the water, you can use it to clean your computers display. Unless the water where you live is not being controlled and is not for drinking. I live in Germany - the water is perfectly fine to drink and if I can sustain my life with it, I think a computer monitor should be more than fine :)
 

AppleNewton

macrumors 68000
Apr 3, 2007
1,697
84
1 Finite Place
Apple uses a product called Whoosh, never tried it. but after seeing various Thunderbolt displays and iMacs used with iKlear and other cleaning products even water the static or build up with the glass and lcd causes staining. best bet is to spot clean and just use a dry microfibre cloth or a terry clothe and you should be fine.
 

ledzep1

macrumors 6502
Jan 24, 2016
282
100
Hi

I have a late 2013 iMac, Im wondering if there is a easy and safe way to clean the screen.

Currently I use the black cloth that came with the iMac, just wiping the screen over. But I find the dust seems to stick to these screens and wiping over does not really do much but just smears the dust into the screen more.

Any tips?

Thanks
 

Weaselboy

Moderator
Staff member
Jan 23, 2005
34,456
16,144
California
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172

To clean the display on your iMac, first shut down your iMac and unplug the power cord along with other connected devices. Next, dampen the cloth that came with your iMac—or another clean, soft, lint-free cloth—with water only, and then wipe the screen. Do not spray liquid directly on the screen.

Just dampen that cloth you have with water.
 
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FreemanW

macrumors 6502
Sep 10, 2012
483
93
The Real Northern California
I use distilled water to dampen a 100% cotton terry towel to clean and then dry, and then buff with photographic lens quality micro-fibre cloth.
It is easiest when the unit is off and the screen is dark.
 

Garrod

Suspended
Nov 13, 2008
194
105
UK
I just use very slightly moist kitchen towel (dampened with tap water) then use a microfibre cloth to dry and clean the the screen. This leaves it smudge etc. free. Quick tip: do it whilst the iMac is cold (ie. been turned off for an hour or two) - this helps to stop the water evaporating from the internal heat generated (thus leaving smudges galore!) before you have chance to dry and clean it.
 
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