Is this microfiber ok?

[Cowabunga]

I've read through alot of the threads on cleaning the iPad screen; the consensus seems to be microfiber towels. I had a pack in my garage that I had purchased, and they happened to be lint-free, as recommended.

I tried it out, and seems to work well. However, I noticed that the material is a little gritty feeling on my hand. I know there are two different types of microfiber (one smooth, similiar to a Shamwow), and one "furry". Is it ok/normal that it would feel a little rough on my fingers? I'd imagine it won't scratch, as they're supposed to be for waxing a car, but I thought I'd include pictures anyway as I am a worry-wart.

 

[Cowabunga]

Anyone?

 

[Pballer110]

any microfiber cloth is good. it wont scratch the screen.

 

[Ryan1524]

You CAN'T scratch the iPad's material with ANY type of cloth. You can use dishtowel or paper towel and I guarantee you it won't scratch.

 

[romeo.xk]

Any time you are not sure if a microfiber is safe, just use it on a CD/DVD, if it does not scratch it, then you are safe.

You should also do this before using a microfiber on your cars paint.

 

[Ryan1524]

That's not quite accurate. DVD is very soft plastic, any debris harder than that particular type of plastic will scratch it. However, if it's softer than aluminum or glass, it won't touch your iPad. And aluminum and glass are pretty tough material.


I know this is going to be a difficult notion for many people who are new to iProducts to accept. But these things are VERY durable, and NOT worth babying. IF you do get some scratches, the worry and anxiety you get out of taking care of a cheap, albeit beautiful, tool is not worth your time and mental cost.

 

[Cowabunga]

Thank you guys so much for the replies. I'm new to apple and the iPad, so I'm full of questions like these, so it's nice to get help.

That's not quite accurate. DVD is very soft plastic, any debris harder than that particular type of plastic will scratch it. However, if it's softer than aluminum or glass, it won't touch your iPad. And aluminum and glass are pretty tough material.


I know this is going to be a difficult notion for many people who are new to iProducts to accept. But these things are VERY durable, and NOT worth babying. IF you do get some scratches, the worry and anxiety you get out of taking care of a cheap, albeit beautiful, tool is not worth your time and mental cost.

So would you not recommend a plastic screen guard for it? I'm on the fence about getting on due o the cost.

Also, has anyone else has luck w this style micrfiber?

 

[EvilC5]

Any time you are not sure if a microfiber is safe, just use it on a CD/DVD, if it does not scratch it, then you are safe.

You should also do this before using a microfiber on your cars paint.

agreed....

I used to own a detailing business, and theres a huge difference in microfibers...you have the ones that cost less than a buck, and then the ones that are over 10 bucks each....

for an ipad screen, probably most any of them will work, as I use a lower end towel to clean my eyeglasses that I wear and have had no issues. but on a $100K car, a towel is probably not the place you want to cut corners on.

korean microfiber seems to be the best quality, dont ask me why, it just seems that every batch I ever got that was made over there was far superior to anything else......

 

[Julien]

....and I guarantee you it won't scratch.

Is that a money back or iPad replacement guarantee?

 

[Ecoh]

I use these towels (exact same ones). They work great on my iMac, glasses, expensive camera lenses and flat screen TV. I have been using them for years, just received my iPad and now using them on my iPad. At about 50 cents apiece they are cheap enough to just throw out if they get dirty.

The important part about them is that you must be sure they are clean, and also make sure there is no grit on your screen. If you are working outside in a sandy area, blow across the screen before rubbing with the towel.

If they have grit in them they will scratch. Mine don't feel gritty, so maybe you have a defective batch or batch that got dirty ?

 

[EvilC5]

IThe important part about them is that you must be sure they are clean

another tip, dont use fabric softner on microfiber or dryer sheets....it will leave a residue on them and cause smearing.

 

[Cowabunga]

I use these towels (exact same ones). They work great on my iMac, glasses, expensive camera lenses and flat screen TV. I have been using them for years, just received my iPad and now using them on my iPad. At about 50 cents apiece they are cheap enough to just throw out if they get dirty.

The important part about them is that you must be sure they are clean, and also make sure there is no grit on your screen. If you are working outside in a sandy area, blow across the screen before rubbing with the towel.

If they have grit in them they will scratch. Mine don't feel gritty, so maybe you have a defective batch or batch that got dirty ?

Maybe gritty isn't the right word. They juts feel a little rough when you rub your fingers through them. Not soft.

 

[vrDrew]

I've had the best result with the loop-type microfiber cloths (with a "terry cloth" type weave) - these seem to do a better job of quickly removing fingerprints from the iPad screen. The "smooth" weave clothes don't seem to work as well.

As noted above - you don't need to spend big money on the microfiber. The only suggestion I would make is don't use your iPad cleaning cloth for other household tasks - dusting bookshelves, detailing cars, etc. You don't want to use a cloth that may have picked up abrasive grit.

Microfibers can be washed. Warm water and a mild detergent. But unless you use it to wipe spaghetti sauce off your iPad on a regular basis - you can go along time between wash days.

Never use household cleaners on the iPad (iPod touch, iPhone, etc.) screen. No Windex, no ammonia, etc. They will destroy the oleophobic coatings. If you need to, use either a little distilled water, or 70% isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol. It's best to dampen the cloth first - rather than spraying the liquid directly on the device.

The amount of wiping you do depends on a lot of factors. Crime scene investigators, housekeepers, and carpenters will all tell you that some people have naturally much oiler fingertips than others. I usually wipe my iPad about once a day, and keep a cloth handy anywhere I go. For some reason, I always feel the iPad screen looks best without the "soft focus" effect a few thousand grubby paw prints gives it.