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truelies

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 14, 2011
201
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I saw maximum PC magazine said we can use isopropyl alcohol to clean computer screen. Can we use it to clean iPhone screen? I am wondering if it will damage the finger print prevention layer.
 
I saw maximum PC magazine said we can use isopropyl alcohol to clean computer screen. Can we use it to clean iPhone screen? I am wondering if it will damage the finger print prevention layer.

From what I have read never use alcohol, there is a film on the screen that can get damaged. I use regular eye glass cleaner. I spray that on a microfiber cloth first then clean the phone.
 
I was told by a genius to use alcohol because it won't ruin the electronics that anything else can ruin it because alcohol dries a lot faster
 
I saw maximum PC magazine said we can use isopropyl alcohol to clean computer screen. Can we use it to clean iPhone screen? I am wondering if it will damage the finger print prevention layer.

I was told by a genius to use alcohol because it won't ruin the electronics that anything else can ruin it because alcohol dries a lot faster

Alcohol takes off the oleo phobic coating on the screen. The best thing to use is a microfiber cloth.
 
Isopropyl alcohol is perfectly safe to use. It will not make the oleo-phobic coating any less effective any quicker than normal. Let's use some common sense people if it's safe enough to use on eyeglasses which are usually coated with various coatings it safe for your iPhone.
 
Isopropyl alcohol is perfectly safe to use. It will not make the oleo-phobic coating any less effective any quicker than normal. Let's use some common sense people if it's safe enough to use on eyeglasses which are usually coated with various coatings it safe for your iPhone.

Directly from Apple:

"Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives to clean iPhone. The front glass surfaces have an oleophobic coating. To remove fingerprints, wipe these surfaces with a soft, lint-free cloth."

Same instruction for iPad.
 
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Directly from Apple:

"Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives to clean iPhone. The front glass surfaces have an oleophobic coating. To remove fingerprints, wipe these surfaces with a soft, lint-free cloth."

Same instruction for iPad.

So basically you need to stick with bacteria and viruses on your phone?
 
I was told by multiple geniuses not to use anything ammonia related, not only for the coating but it weakens the integrity of the glass. Just use clean screen or icleaner. It's deionized water. It won't hurt anything and clesns very well.

Costco sells a 4 pack. Two large with two large towels and two small with two small towels for about $15. Well worth it. I've had my set for over a year, use it 3-4 times a week and the first bottle is not even a 1/4 empty.
 
Directly from Apple:

"Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives to clean iPhone. The front glass surfaces have an oleophobic coating. To remove fingerprints, wipe these surfaces with a soft, lint-free cloth."

Same instruction for iPad.

Kinda funny too, for the last 2 years Apple exclusively recommended and sold Clens by Bausch and Lomb to clean all the devices. Guess what it contained? Wait for it. Isopropyl alcohol. Do what you like cause I know I will. I've had no ill affects from it.
 
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Just go and buy a bottle of iKlear. I've been using the same bottle since 2005. Actually just got a new refill bottle. Apple used to carry it in their stores. I use it for my iPods,iPhones, Macs, and HD tvs.


What will scratch your screen is an abrasive towel. Use a microfiber cloth. Make sure its free of debris before using.

http://www.amazon.com/Klear-Screen-...ie=UTF8&qid=1398138278&sr=8-1&keywords=iklear


If you don't have anything available, the Purel stuff works fine too. That contains alcohol and it doesn't damage your screen. Use it sparingly. Whenever I don't have my iKlear with me and I need to get something off the screen quickly, I use that. Keep a few packets of it in my travel bag.
 
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From what I have read never use alcohol, there is a film on the screen that can get damaged. I use regular eye glass cleaner. I spray that on a microfiber cloth first then clean the phone.


I believe eye glass cleaner is made by isopropyl alcohol.
 
I'll take my chances, I use alcohol to clean the germs, grease and sweat.

A quick swipe with alcohol will not kill everything on your phone. Some of the worst need to be exposed to alcohol for minutes to kill them 100%. Germs are everywhere and it does not pay to worry too much about them if you are healthy!:rolleyes:
 
Just go and buy a bottle of iKlear. I've been using the same bottle since 2005. Actually just got a new refill bottle. Apple used to carry it in their stores. I use it for my iPods,iPhones, Macs, and HD tvs.


What will scratch your screen is an abrasive towel. Use a microfiber cloth. Make sure its free of debris before using.

http://www.amazon.com/Klear-Screen-...ie=UTF8&qid=1398138278&sr=8-1&keywords=iklear


If you don't have anything available, the Purel stuff works fine too. That contains alcohol and it doesn't damage your screen. Use it sparingly. Whenever I don't have my iKlear with me and I need to get something off the screen quickly, I use that. Keep a few packets of it in my travel bag.

that is exactly what I was going to link to. I personally own the iklear products and they work great on all devices.
 
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A quick swipe with alcohol will not kill everything on your phone. Some of the worst need to be exposed to alcohol for minutes to kill them 100%. Germs are everywhere and it does not pay to worry too much about them if you are healthy!:rolleyes:

That's okay as I'm not a germ o phobe. I just want a clean device without streaks and 91% isopropyl seems to do it.
 
That's okay as I'm not a germ o phobe. I just want a clean device without streaks and 91% isopropyl seems to do it.

Sure it will "do it"! But why use that when a soft microfiber cloth will do the same? At the most I have needed to "breath" on the screen to supply a small amount of moisture for the cloth but never had to use any type of solvent!

The microfiber cloth will not leave streaks either.:rolleyes:
 
I would NOT use alcohol for general cleaning of the screen.

The rest of the phone? Sure. Alcohol is usually safe for most plastic, metals, glass, and electronic stuff.

For the screen, try a microfiber cloth. If you need to go beyond that, just water.
 
If I want my iPhone screen streak free, I use a microfiber cloth. 99% of the time that gets the job done. I never use any liquid solution to clean my screen. If I need to quickly clean my screen, I'll rub it on my shirt or sweats.
 
Sure it will "do it"! But why use that when a soft microfiber cloth will do the same? At the most I have needed to "breath" on the screen to supply a small amount of moisture for the cloth but never had to use any type of solvent!

The microfiber cloth will not leave streaks either.:rolleyes:

I like the clean feeling alcohol leaves. I've been using isopropyl alcohol for years, the phones almost outlast me.
 
I like the clean feeling alcohol leaves. I've been using isopropyl alcohol for years, the phones almost outlast me.

Only in these forums can people like the "feel" of an alcohol cleaned phone better than using a microfiber cloth.:p

I am not saying you should not use alcohol, I am simply saying that it is not required!

Choice is good!:apple:
 
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Working in healthcare I always wipe my iPhone screen off with alcohol since the iPhone 3G. Never any issues and I kill all germs from the hospital.
 
Only in these forums can people like the "feel" of an alcohol cleaned phone better than using a microfiber cloth.:p

I am not saying you should not use alcohol, I am simply saying that it is not required!

Choice is good!:apple:

Choice is good. I do not clean my dirty (albeit very expensive) glasses with a microfiber cloth, without cleaning the lenses with lens cleaner first. I like microfiber cloths to clean screens, after they have been wiped down with alcohol. :p:apple:
 
Makes me cringe when I see someone wet a finger to rub over the screen !

For me I use a micro fiber cloth and nothing else.
 
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