Cleaning my MacBook Pro?!?

[Nue2Macs]

Quote

Originally Posted by mmmcheese

If a paper towel isn't going to scratch a screen, why do they tell you to never use paper products on eye glasses? Paper towel actually scratches screens very easily...I accidentally scratched the coating on a CRT (which is much harder than the coating on an LCD).

Actually paper towels don't scratch anything. It's the dirt/sand that gets trapped in the fibers that does the scratching. Pressing hard with particles embedded in your cloth will cause scratches regardless of the lubricant you're using (windex or water). Using windex or water just reduces the possibility/depth of the scratches. It is wise to use a microfiber cloth for cleaning because it is much more difficult for particles that cause scratches to get caught in those fibers.

 

[miles01110]

I think my iMac came with a lint-free cloth....or maybe I got it from somewhere else? It's one of the iMacs with the craning neck.

 

[michaelrjohnson]

BTW, most paper towels have wood fibres in them.

Um... it's Paper Towel. Of course it has wood fibers!

 

[mmmcheese]

Um... it's Paper Towel. Of course it has wood fibers!

Well...it may sound obvious. but how much tin is there in tin foil or a tin can?

These days, none at all...but names stick around.

 

[chosenwolf]

I bought iKlear and it works great. After a little polishing, it looks like the laptop had never been touched before.

A great $20 investment for a $2,800 machine

 

[poppe]

I bought iKlear and it works great. After a little polishing, it looks like the laptop had never been touched before.

A great $20 investment for a $2,800 machine

What exactly is iKlear? Is it a type of rag like thing?

 

[mmmcheese]

What exactly is iKlear? Is it a type of rag like thing?

It's an expensive liquid of unknown substance...you still have to provide your own cloth. An old soft tshirt works just fine for that...or go down to a glasses store, they sell microfibre cloths for cleaning glasses.

 

[poppe]

It's an expensive liquid of unknown substance...you still have to provide your own cloth. An old soft tshirt works just fine for that...or go down to a glasses store, they sell microfibre cloths for cleaning glasses.

Oh interesting. Ok thanks I'll check it out. I'm gonna go to the Wolf Camera Store where we get all our Camera equipent and accessories and buy a lens cleaner there probably. I figure if its soft enough to clean a glass lens that won't cause micro scratches on a 500 lens then I should be good, and because the poster way above said the same thing

 

[michaelrjohnson]

Well...it may sound obvious. but how much tin is there in tin foil or a tin can?

These days, none at all...but names stick around.

That's true... but come on... paper towel? Have some folks never seen or held a paper towel before?

 

[Jiddick ExRex]

what about the screen, guessing a dry paper towel does the trick nicely (thats what I use on my old 19inch lcd - sometimes not dry)

Read all of the above and for Christ's sake, don't use a dry papertowel. Why don't you just take a piece of wood and rub the screen with??

Reading this made my balls descend even further...

 

[mmmcheese]

Oh interesting. Ok thanks I'll check it out. I'm gonna go to the Wolf Camera Store where we get all our Camera equipent and accessories and buy a lens cleaner there probably. I figure if its soft enough to clean a glass lens that won't cause micro scratches on a 500 lens then I should be good, and because the poster way above said the same thing

That is perfect...actually, I think glasses stores sell the same thing, just in a different size/shape. You can also buy large ones from companies such as Radtech. It's all about the same, just get whatever is easiest/cheapest for you.

Basically what it comes down to is that the screen is made of soft plastic, so use something appropriate. Something designed for lenses or glasses is perfect. Steel wool and paper towel are probably pretty poor choices.

 

[poppe]

That is perfect...actually, I think glasses stores sell the same thing, just in a different size/shape. You can also buy large ones from companies such as Radtech. It's all about the same, just get whatever is easiest/cheapest for you.

Basically what it comes down to is that the screen is made of soft plastic, so use something appropriate. Something designed for lenses or glasses is perfect. Steel wool and paper towel are probably pretty poor choices.

What about the solution they usually give you? Probably not good to use?

Target has a glasses kit now that you get a solution and a bunch of wetnaps and dry cloths to clean your glasses, and the solution is free refills for life.

Would that solution be harmful? My guess is it would if its alcohol based or soemthign.

 

[mmmcheese]

What about the solution they usually give you? Probably not good to use?

Target has a glasses kit now that you get a solution and a bunch of wetnaps and dry cloths to clean your glasses, and the solution is free refills for life.

Would that solution be harmful? My guess is it would if its alcohol based or soemthign.

No idea what's in them, but probably alcohol. According to Apple (dunno where the link is anymore), a mix of 30% rubbing alcohol and 70% water is recommended for sticky spots that won't come off with just water.

Water is fine for most things though, especially with a good microfibre cloth.

 

[poppe]

No idea what's in them, but probably alcohol. According to Apple (dunno where the link is anymore), a mix of 30% rubbing alcohol and 70% water is recommended for sticky spots that won't come off with just water.

Water is fine for most things though, especially with a good microfibre cloth.

Whats best for your screen? I can look on apple's website if its easier, but if you have it on the top of your head let me know.

 

[mmmcheese]

Whats best for your screen? I can look on apple's website if its easier, but if you have it on the top of your head let me know.

That's what they suggested for both. Some companies discourage ALL alcohol...so it could be that it's easier to say none, than just a little (someone is bound to do something stupid...just look at some of the warning labels you see).

EDIT: Of course it's always best to check their website for yourself...things may have changed, or I may be on crack...who knows.

 

[mqf4]

Baby Shirt

Use 100% cotton baby onesie. Gentle on the baby's bum and gentle on the LCD. I've used it [slightly damp] on my MacBook 13" with and it leaves no scratches. Dry it off with drier part of cloth. Use light gentle strokes!

Visit local thrift shop and buy one for 50 cents.

 

[gadgetgirl85]

I reccomend using a non scented tissue with a little bit of water

 

[koldflame]

According to Apple...

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60446

To clean the LCD:

1. Turn off the computer or display. You may need to turn off the computer in order to turn off some Apple displays.
2. Dampen a clean, soft, lint-free cloth or paper with water only.
3. Wipe the screen. Do not spray liquid directly on the screen.


You may also use a mild glass cleaner that contains no alcohol or ammonia. Most office supply stores sell cleaning kits specifically designed for this purpose.

Of course this was written in September of 2003 but it should still be valid.

 

[Avenger23]

I use a mixture of 1 part distilled water to 1 part rubbing alcohol for the cleaning solution and a soft cloth to clean my laptop with.

 

[miles01110]

I use methanol on the aluminum and don't touch my MBP screen, therefore it doesn't get fingerprints. When it gets dusty, I use high-pressure air.

 

[fcbarcelonacata]

i have a 95% grain alcohol, would cleaning my macbook pro with it going to ruin the aluminum? so its better if i just use a 30/70 alcohol to water solution

 

[daneoni]

Dettol anti-septic wipes (this way i actually get rid of all the bacteria on the Keyboard/trackpad) for the aluminum parts (you wont believe the shine you get) and iKlear for the screen.

 

[freeze]

clean screen

well guys here it is glossy or matt

get a little windowleane or other window polish with vinegar spray on to a paper kitchen roll NEVER THE SCREEN DIRECT
polish the screen with that and dry with a soft cloth this will leave it static free and not scratch the screen try not to scurb the screen after all its only finger prints

for the outer casing water on a tea towel damp give it a good rub and dry with soft cloth

super clean and like new

newbie mac from pc bye bye pc the dark side is now the other side and the only side!

 

[matttrick]

well guys here it is glossy or matt

get a little windowleane or other window polish with vinegar spray on to a paper kitchen roll NEVER THE SCREEN DIRECT
polish the screen with that and dry with a soft cloth this will leave it static free and not scratch the screen try not to scurb the screen after all its only finger prints

for the outer casing water on a tea towel damp give it a good rub and dry with soft cloth

super clean and like new

newbie mac from pc bye bye pc the dark side is now the other side and the only side!

wrong. never ever ever ever ever use window cleaner on any LCD screen. if you have an LCD tv go read the manual, it says not to. apple says use a mixture of rubbing alcohol and water. id even recommend a lower amount, maybe a 25/75% ratio.

dont use paper towels either. even if you dont see scratches now, what will happen is there will be microscopic ones, and then when the chemicals, or even oils from your hands set in those scratches, it will weaken the material over time. it doesnt matter if you think you got it all off, you didnt. there's always residue

just use a lint free cloth, not paper towels, and a mixture of water and a small amount of alcohol. its probably best to start with a very small ratio of alcohol, and add more if needed, never exceeding 1/3 of your mixture.

the less chemicals the better, and obviously distilled water is better than tap.

 

[freeze]

oopps

Doh!