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How to Clean 16" MacBook Pro Screen?
- Thread starter davecom
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Microfiber cloth + screen cleaning solution is usually what I use. Distilled water is ok, but I wouldn't recommend tap water.
I use this because I read this is what they use at the Apple Store.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HFYGLR?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_asin_title
I also use a really nice microfiber cloth like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050R66X8?ref=ppx_pt2_dt_b_prod_image
I prefer that style for cleaning screens.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076HFYGLR?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_asin_title
I also use a really nice microfiber cloth like this:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0050R66X8?ref=ppx_pt2_dt_b_prod_image
I prefer that style for cleaning screens.
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Fishrrman's "how to clean a retina screen" advice:
DON'T.
Yes, that's "the answer".
The MacBook Pro retina displays have a SPRAYED-ON anti-glare coating that is VERY fragile and easily damaged. Clean it "too much and too hard", and it will start "flaking off" -- hence, the condition known as "StainGate".
You want to "clean the display" AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE, hardly ever.
Don't touch it when you open and close the lid.
If a little dust gets on the surface of the display, use a soft cloth to "lightly dust" across the surface WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE against the display.
If there's something on the surface that won't dust off, dampen a cloth and use only enough pressure to dislodge it. Then, "dust dry".
Do this and your display will last a good while (mine is over 3 years old and still doing fine).
Disregard this, and...?
DON'T.
Yes, that's "the answer".
The MacBook Pro retina displays have a SPRAYED-ON anti-glare coating that is VERY fragile and easily damaged. Clean it "too much and too hard", and it will start "flaking off" -- hence, the condition known as "StainGate".
You want to "clean the display" AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE, hardly ever.
Don't touch it when you open and close the lid.
If a little dust gets on the surface of the display, use a soft cloth to "lightly dust" across the surface WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE against the display.
If there's something on the surface that won't dust off, dampen a cloth and use only enough pressure to dislodge it. Then, "dust dry".
Do this and your display will last a good while (mine is over 3 years old and still doing fine).
Disregard this, and...?
^^^Truth.
Use MINIMAL PRESSURE with a damp lint free cloth/microfiber when you MUST clean something stubborn like a tiny spit spot, otherwise just blow the dust and lint off and if that doesn't work, barely brush the display with said lint free cloth only where necessary.
You must treat this like a family heirloom, sadly. My 16" hasn't gotten the tiniest bit dirty since coming out of the box, and I intend to keep it that way - my 2015 was never once dirty in the time I owned it and the display remained perfect.
Use MINIMAL PRESSURE with a damp lint free cloth/microfiber when you MUST clean something stubborn like a tiny spit spot, otherwise just blow the dust and lint off and if that doesn't work, barely brush the display with said lint free cloth only where necessary.
You must treat this like a family heirloom, sadly. My 16" hasn't gotten the tiniest bit dirty since coming out of the box, and I intend to keep it that way - my 2015 was never once dirty in the time I owned it and the display remained perfect.
Fishmann is correct. If something does not come off with light dusting, stop. Do not press harder and go round and round more and faster and faster. You will wipe the coating right off the screen and end up with mess and potentially very large repair bill.
Nacho98 is correct about treating the screen like a family heirloom.
Nacho98 is correct about treating the screen like a family heirloom.
I couldn't disagree more
.Of course you will have to clean your screen sooner or later.
I have the feeling there is a lot of exaggeration on this forum about this topic.
Have been cleaning my Mac screens for years - never had a problem. I even didn't use those fancy advertised screen cleaners - just regular window/glass cleaner.
My MacBook Pro retina 2013 looks like new. My MacBook 2016 looks perfect. iPads pro as well.
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Warm water and a spong has been fine for all my Macbooks. I’m not gonna treat the 16” any different.
Yeah, I've never sprayed my Macbook or iMac screens with any solution. I do occasionally use my breath to fog up an area and wipe a stubborn spot with a microfiber cloth like you would a pair of glasses, but that's all I ever do and my screens have all stayed in excellent shape. The microfiber cloth I use also sits over the keys when fully closed. My niece has a MacBook Air with permanent keyboard marks on her display. I think it's because the oil on the keys will strip off the coating. The coating should really be more resistant to something like this, but it is what it is.
I use anything from microfiber towels (no liquid) to screen wipes (wet) and no issues with the coating in 7 years of owning retina screen MacBook pros. Don’t use anything that’s not microfiber or specifically designed for cleaning screens and you’ll be fine IMO.
Listen, get yourself a nice soft microfiber cloth and find a screen cleaning solution like Whoosh! (a product they use at the Apple Store) or Screen Mom and only spray the solution on the microfiber cloth, never spray it directly on the device. Only spray a little bit because a little goes a long way. You want something without harsh chemicals.
Yeah, never cleaning is not an option for most of us. Cleaning with liquid is perfectly safe, as long as you spray it on a microfiber cloth and don't press too hard on the screen.
You should power off first.
Second, disconnect the computer from power, from its connection to a computer, and from any external devices. Then use the cloth that came with your display or another soft, dry cloth to wipe dust from the screen.
If additional cleaning of the display panel or case is required, use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean the display.
From Apple's support site on cleaning your Mac notebook.
Learn how to clean your Mac notebook computer.
MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air
When cleaning the outside of your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, first shut down your computer and unplug the power adapter. Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the computer's exterior. Avoid getting moisture in any openings. Do not spray liquid directly on the computer. Don't use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish.
To clean the screen on your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, first shut down the computer and unplug the power adapter. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with water only, then use it to clean the computer's screen.
https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT204172#portables
Learn how to clean your Mac notebook computer.
MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air
When cleaning the outside of your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, first shut down your computer and unplug the power adapter. Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the computer's exterior. Avoid getting moisture in any openings. Do not spray liquid directly on the computer. Don't use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish.
To clean the screen on your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, first shut down the computer and unplug the power adapter. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with water only, then use it to clean the computer's screen.
https://support.apple.com/en-in/HT204172#portables
Neither of these are viable takes. The screen must be cleaned for most of us.
Some eyeglass cleaners contain a mild alcohol mixture. Are alcohol lens wipes still not recommend? Apple seems to only be warning against Ammoia & Hydrogen Peroxide right now.
I use these as they are alcohol and ammonia free and very safe:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083QPGVRR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Ab3gEbZVDWVXC
I also use iKlear.
Are mild Alcohol Lens cleaners alright? It's so much easier to find Alcohol Lens wipes but are they safe?
I use these as they are alcohol and ammonia free and very safe:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083QPGVRR/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Ab3gEbZVDWVXC
I also use iKlear.
Are mild Alcohol Lens cleaners alright? It's so much easier to find Alcohol Lens wipes but are they safe?
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My screen on macbook pro 2018 is a nightmare to clean. It gets some nasty dirt (oily probably, used near kitchen, so could be a reason; also oil from fingers/keyboard gets onto screen as when closed screen touches keyboard).
It's almost impossible to clean without harder force. Whoosh doesn't work (doesn't clean that oily thing), water doesn't work, izopropanol doesn't work, microfibre doesn't work. What works is using using moderately hard force to *move* that oil to edges and then microfibre wipe is able to get it off.
When it got to apple service center with famous keyboard issue they thought screen is damaged and replaced it while it was just the dirt on the screen. The funny thing is that replacement screen cleans equally badly as first one.
The other funny part is that I have two other, non apple laptops, that don't have this issue at all - they clean easily with just a microfibre and sometimes a bit of water for that microfibre.
I'm really disappointed how badly screen in these apple laptops catches oily dirt and how badly it cleans.
It's almost impossible to clean without harder force. Whoosh doesn't work (doesn't clean that oily thing), water doesn't work, izopropanol doesn't work, microfibre doesn't work. What works is using using moderately hard force to *move* that oil to edges and then microfibre wipe is able to get it off.
When it got to apple service center with famous keyboard issue they thought screen is damaged and replaced it while it was just the dirt on the screen. The funny thing is that replacement screen cleans equally badly as first one.
The other funny part is that I have two other, non apple laptops, that don't have this issue at all - they clean easily with just a microfibre and sometimes a bit of water for that microfibre.
I'm really disappointed how badly screen in these apple laptops catches oily dirt and how badly it cleans.
Maybe you should try keeping the laptop away from the grease collecting area in the kitchen, as well as keeping the lip open unless you need to transport. And when transporting, put a piece of computer paper between the screen and keyboard, unless you kept the original packaging white paper keyboard separator and can use that.
I got my M1 Mac on 12.24.2020 and have yet to close the lid. I use a feather duster to wipe the screen and it looks as clean as the day I got it.
Wow, you could damage the screen with the cleaning methods you are describing. I would start with something gentle like water and a microfiber cloth and only use isopropyl alcohol as a last resort. iKlear and maybe Whoosh? are more like a polish, I wouldn’t count on them cleaning anything. You could try a screen protector as they make them for students and the like and it may even be easier to clean.
Where can I buy the cloth that came with the iMac? The cloth you linked certainly looks like it.
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Sort of same here, just brush the dust off with lens cloth also haven't closed lid. Although my chubby fingers did touch the bezel area. I used a fine micro fibre to wipe grease print away. Shining an iPhone flashlight gives one the bigger picture on said dirt areas.
Often wondered what Costco use, their display models screens look mint after being handled often.