All iPads: cleaning solution?

[Bokes]

My 4 year old enjoys using the ipad for games, learning apps, etc.
His hands are not always the cleanest.

Is it safe to use an alcohol rub on the screen to sanitize it?

[ChrisMan287]

Absolutely but I usually use automotive spray wax for some protection

[blevins321]

I'd use some dedicated LCD cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Be careful to not let any get in the microphone hole or home button.

[Munkypoo7]

I've used 70% and even 91% rubbing alcohol without any issues. Not really sure if that would wear the oleophobic coating on the screen though... more reason my OCDness forces me to use a screen protector :P

Though just as ChrisMan said, spray car wax actually helps a bit on top of a screen protector if you're using one

[wrkactjob]

The alcohol content would concern me.

Our cat would play a pet game on the ipad and we used alcohol rubs to clean it down. After licking its paws it later seemed unsteady on its feet and much later that night turned up with a stray, its fur was all messed up.

True story.

[Hpye]

One of the best I ever used

[N04h]

Do not use alcohol to clean the screen, it will mess up the coating and scratch it.

[shenan1982]

Costco sells an LCD\LED screen cleaner package with 4 bottles (two BIG and two travel sizes) for $15 ... best deal in town.

[HarryWarden]

Originally Posted by shenan1982

Costco sells an LCD\LED screen cleaner package with 4 bottles (two BIG and two travel sizes) for $15 ... best deal in town.

I got that too. Works great. It's called CleanScreen I believe.

[corvus32]

A microfiber cloth moisten with distilled water is all you need.

You can get a gallon of it at the grocery for $1.

[shenan1982]

Originally Posted by corvus32

A microfiber cloth moisten with distilled water is all you need.

You can get a gallon of it at the grocery for $1.

Water does nothing for finger grease (oil)... duhh. Hence why a cleaning solution is necessary. Do you bathe without soap?

[corvus32]

Originally Posted by shenan1982

Water does nothing for finger grease (oil)... duhh. Hence why a cleaning solution is necessary. Do you bathe without soap?

Why are you using chemicals?

Removing oil from a oleophobic surface is no different than removing water from a hydrophobic surface.

Let me guess. Instead of toweling off after a shower, you probably dowse yourself with oil and vinegar to remove the water.

[shenan1982]

Originally Posted by corvus32

Why are you using chemicals?

Removing oil from a oleophobic surface is no different than removing water from a hydrophobic surface.

Let me guess. Instead of toweling off after a shower, you probably dowse yourself with oil and vinegar to remove the water.

Your analogy makes no sense. You're confusing a fingerprint resistant surface to a fingerprint proof surface.

The oil gets on the screen. You can either use a chemical that will break down the oil and allow it to be wiped up, or use water\towel... but water\towel just relocates the oil... some to the towel, some just pushed around the screen.

Your analogy would have made more sense if you suggested using a squeegee to towel off as that's essentially similar, just pushing the water around on the body, and removing the bulk of it. The reason they use squeegees on water\glass is because water will dry. If you bathed in oil a squeegee wouldn't remove the oil, but the oil would eventually soak into your skin... unlike the coating on the ipad, where it won't, so the same technique of pushing the grime around won't suffice.

Tell ya what, drop a tablespoon of oil in the center of your screen, wipe it with cloth and water, then take a picture for us. Then go wash your dishes with water and no soap, and see how that turns out for ya. There's a reason people have been using detergents to clean their laundry, dishes, LCD screens, and bodies since the beginning of their existence... LOL, you're that guy who was raised to not shower with soap, ehh?

[corvus32]

Originally Posted by shenan1982

Your analogy makes no sense. You're confusing a fingerprint resistant surface to a fingerprint proof surface.

The oil gets on the screen. You can either use a chemical that will break down the oil and allow it to be wiped up, or use water\towel... but water\towel just relocates the oil... some to the towel, some just pushed around the screen.

Your analogy would have made more sense if you suggested using a squeegee to towel off as that's essentially similar, just pushing the water around on the body, and removing the bulk of it. The reason they use squeegees on water\glass is because water will dry. If you bathed in oil a squeegee wouldn't remove the oil, but the oil would eventually soak into your skin... unlike the coating on the ipad, where it won't, so the same technique of pushing the grime around won't suffice.

Tell ya what, drop a tablespoon of oil in the center of your screen, wipe it with cloth and water, then take a picture for us. Then go wash your dishes with water and no soap, and see how that turns out for ya. There's a reason people have been using detergents to clean their laundry, dishes, LCD screens, and bodies since the beginning of their existence... LOL, you're that guy who was raised to not shower with soap, ehh?

A tablespoon of oil? lol

I hear its even harder to clean after its been dunked in the fryer at McDonald's.

What's next? Run it through the car wash. Ha

[ixodes]

Originally Posted by corvus32

A microfiber cloth moisten with distilled water is all you need.

You can get a gallon of it at the grocery for $1.

This is the _only_ way. The only problem is some people don't feel right unless they're spending lots of money on "special" cleaners. There's nothing you can't remove with a moistened microfiber cloth. Unless something very acidic is allowed to sit on it for a month or two.

[ixodes]

Originally Posted by shenan1982

The oil gets on the screen. You can either use a chemical that will break down the oil and allow it to be wiped up, or use water\towel... but water\towel just relocates the oil... some to the towel, some just pushed around the screen.

Your skin must ooze motor oil like the black stuff from engines.

The proper way to remove skin oil is to use a dry microfiber cloth. It lifts the oil off easily.

One uses a water moistened cloth on other surfaces like the aluminum.

The microfiber cloth is washable & reusable. The reason microfiber is being specified, is it's designed for this kind of usage.

It sounds like you have no clue as to what microfiber is. It's impossible to scratch any surface with it dry. That's the beauty of these inexpensive cloths sold nearly everywhere.

[shenan1982]

Originally Posted by ixodes

Your skin must ooze motor oil like the black stuff from engines.

The proper way to remove skin oil is to use a dry microfiber cloth. It lifts the oil off easily.

One uses a water moistened cloth on other surfaces like the aluminum.

The microfiber cloth is washable & reusable. The reason microfiber is being specified, is it's designed for this kind of usage.

It sounds like you have no clue as to what microfiber is. It's impossible to scratch any surface with it dry. That's the beauty of these inexpensive cloths sold nearly everywhere.

So why bother bathing with soap? Why bother washing your face with anything aside from water? Clearly you have no concept of cleanliness.

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Originally Posted by ixodes

This is the _only_ way. The only problem is some people don't feel right unless they're spending lots of money on "special" cleaners.

Right ... people love spending money on cleaners when they could just use tap water. LOL. What a marvel concept, why hasn't anyone thought of this?!?!

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Originally Posted by ixodes

One uses a water moistened cloth on other surfaces like the aluminum.

Did you ever think Apple's prominent marketing of their oleophobic coating on their iPad and iPhone is designed to entice people like you to think that it's the solution to all physics and competitors product flaws, thus adding a psychological value-add to the product to justify the higher price? If not, grab a Galaxy Tab, or an old Galaxy S II, you'll find that the smudges are just as noticeable as the most current iPhone\iPad, and clean up just the same.