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Cleaning my MacBook Air 2022 screen

onFIRE

onFIRE

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 12, 2022
86
69
Does anyone know if there are any good and safe screen wipes out there for cleaning a MacBook Air 2022 screen? Currently I'm using a microfiber cloth from a pair of sunglasses, but it doesn't absorb water very easily when I try to get it wet. Eventually it absorbs water and I can clean my screen, but then I need another microfiber cloth to dry my screen. Then I need to put both of them aside somewhere to dry. And when they are drying, they usually collect dust or cat hair, so the next time I use them, I get dust or cat hair on my screen. This process isn't very smooth lol. Ideally I would like disposable screen wipes that are single use. Have you found any that you'd recommend using? If not, what is your screen cleaning process like? Any tips on making my screen cleaning process smoother? Thanks in advance!
 
iamdtang said:
Ah, I meant does it damage the glass screen on an iPad or iPhone?
Click to expand...

On my iPad, no. I don’t have a screen protector on my iPad and no issues. I’m assuming it’s safe for iPhone but I have screen protector on it.
 
iamdtang said:
Do you find the Apple Polishing Cloth better than a typical microfiber cloth that comes with a pair of sunglasses? Do you ever need to clean the Apple Polishing Cloth? lol
Click to expand...
I haven't used a microfibre cloth on my MBP screen, I purchased the Apple polishing cloth when I got the machine,
I have never cleaned the cloth since November 2021
 
neo_cs193p said:
Whoosh screen shine. Approved/used by Apple retail. Works perfectly in my experience.
Click to expand...
Does the Apple site say Whoosh is approved and/or used by Apple retail? Do you use the orange cloth that comes with Whoosh or the Apple Polishing Cloth? I'm looking at Whoosh on Amazon here:

smile.amazon.com

WHOOSH! TV Screen Cleaner - 16.9 fl oz + 1 Microfiber Cleaning Cloth - for TV, OLED, Car, Computer, Laptop, MacBook, iPad, iPhone, Camera, Touch Screen - Industrial Size Electronic Cleaner Kit

WHOOSH! TV Screen Cleaner - 16.9 fl oz + 1 Microfiber Cleaning Cloth - for TV, OLED, Car, Computer, Laptop, MacBook, iPad, iPhone, Camera, Touch Screen - Industrial Size Electronic Cleaner Kit
smile.amazon.com
 
I just reached out to Apple Support on chat and they sent me this https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204172 which states:

Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces.
Click to expand...

Does anyone here do this? Any issues?
 
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I’ve always kept Macbook screens clean with just a very** light spray of water onto a microfiber cloth. I guess alcohol sprays work for many people here, personally I don’t see the need to introduce such extra chemicals.

Too bad Apple stopped providing those cloths many years back, they were a nice touch, especially when spending crazy amounts of $$ for a fancy machine.
 
Last edited:
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iamdtang said:
Does the Apple site say Whoosh is approved and/or used by Apple retail? Do you use the orange cloth that comes with Whoosh or the Apple Polishing Cloth? I'm looking at Whoosh on Amazon here:

smile.amazon.com

WHOOSH! TV Screen Cleaner - 16.9 fl oz + 1 Microfiber Cleaning Cloth - for TV, OLED, Car, Computer, Laptop, MacBook, iPad, iPhone, Camera, Touch Screen - Industrial Size Electronic Cleaner Kit

WHOOSH! TV Screen Cleaner - 16.9 fl oz + 1 Microfiber Cleaning Cloth - for TV, OLED, Car, Computer, Laptop, MacBook, iPad, iPhone, Camera, Touch Screen - Industrial Size Electronic Cleaner Kit
smile.amazon.com
Click to expand...
1. I don't think it does, I don't know if it ever did. But the liquid was brought up by several people visiting the stores.
2. Yes, I'm using their orange cloth and their liquid, bought together. It works perfectly for me. I bought it after seeing a youtube tutorial on cleaning your Macbook screen (by 9to5Mac - I believe they use a different cloth in the video).
 
Friendly suggestion: Using a screen protector means not having to sweat the details of cleaning products.
 
Last edited:
rmadsen3 said:
Friendly suggestion: Using a screen protector means not having to sweat the details of cleaning products.
Click to expand...
Friendly question: what screen protector exactly do you recommend for the OP's Macbook Air...

Lens cleaner (for camera lenses) is another good solution not yet recommended.
 
MajorFubar said:
what screen protector exactly do you recommend for the OP's Macbook Air...
Click to expand...
It's a good question. I've got no answer. I tried-out the new MBA for a week. During this time I looked online for screen protectors. Nothing really stands out. For MBP I like Spigen (no bubbles) and for old models Moshi iVisor.
 
rmadsen3 said:
It's a good question. I've got no answer. I tried-out the new MBA for a week. During this time I looked online for screen protectors. Nothing really stands out. For MBP I like Spigen (no bubbles) and for old models Moshi iVisor.
Click to expand...
But even if you have a screen protector, you'd likely need to clean it at some point lol.
 
The problem with a screen protector is the adhesive. On iPhones the anti-reflective coating is underneath the glass whereas on the MBA and MBP's it is on the outside. So if you use a screen protector on the phone there is no way the protector would ever hurt the coating while on the laptops the adhesive could actually damage the coating.

I have no idea what type of AR coating Apple uses but in the past people have worn them off by using various harsh cleaners. I would assume it is not a military hardened AR coating like that used in some double coated sapphire crystals used in high end watches therefore the coating would be vulnerable to wear and tear and scratching.

I would use a screen protector ONLY if you can get Apple to say it won't damage the screen AND the manufacturer states specifically it won't and has some type of guarantee. Otherwise you may find if you ever need to replace the screen protector that it has worn off the coating.

I think the best advice is to spend the extra money to buy an official Apple cloth and use as directed. That way if you ever have an issue you can show Apple that you have used their cloth as directed and therefore the wear is a defect in manufacturing and they have a liability to replace it. Doing anything else puts the liability on you.

I think you could also use a cleaner specifically designed for plastic LCD screens with a propylene glycol base and purified water very sparingly for stubborn stains. Anything else and over time it may degrade the coating and scratch the surface.

These screens are great and I love the AR coating but it has it's disadvantages and the biggest one is that the coatings can be fragile.
 
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Technerd108 said:
The problem with a screen protector is the adhesive. On iPhones the anti-reflective coating is underneath the glass whereas on the MBA and MBP's it is on the outside. So if you use a screen protector on the phone there is no way the protector would ever hurt the coating while on the laptops the adhesive could actually damage the coating.

I have no idea what type of AR coating Apple uses but in the past people have worn them off by using various harsh cleaners. I would assume it is not a military hardened AR coating like that used in some double coated sapphire crystals used in high end watches therefore the coating would be vulnerable to wear and tear and scratching.

I would use a screen protector ONLY if you can get Apple to say it won't damage the screen AND the manufacturer states specifically it won't and has some type of guarantee. Otherwise you may find if you ever need to replace the screen protector that it has worn off the coating.

I think the best advice is to spend the extra money to buy an official Apple cloth and use as directed. That way if you ever have an issue you can show Apple that you have used their cloth as directed and therefore the wear is a defect in manufacturing and they have a liability to replace it. Doing anything else puts the liability on you.

I think you could also use a cleaner specifically designed for plastic LCD screens with a propylene glycol base and purified water very sparingly for stubborn stains. Anything else and over time it may degrade the coating and scratch the surface.

These screens are great and I love the AR coating but it has it's disadvantages and the biggest one is that the coatings can be fragile.
Click to expand...

Great response. Ya, I'm leaning towards just buying the Apple Polishing Cloth and using water when needed.
 
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