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BR4DOKYBrazil

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jan 25, 2018
933
2,516
Londrina - PR / Brazil
I bought a box of 300 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes. I saw on Apple's website that it's safe to use on devices like iPhones, Macs, and Watches. Does anyone actually use them? The idea was to use them once a week.

All my devices are silver.

Would it also be safe to use on the silicone band of the Watch?
 
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Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the exterior surfaces of your Apple Watch and your Solo Loop, Sport Band, Nike Sport Band, Ocean Band, or metal band. Don't use on fabric or leather bands. Don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don’t submerge your Apple Watch in any cleaning agents.
 

Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the exterior surfaces of your Apple Watch and your Solo Loop, Sport Band, Nike Sport Band, Ocean Band, or metal band. Don't use on fabric or leather bands. Don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in any openings, and don’t submerge your Apple Watch in any cleaning agents.
Would this type of behavior, once a week, on my devices, be abrasive?
 
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Maybe I'm just being overly cautious, I'm concerned that frequent use of 70% alcohol wipes on the phone screen will gradually damage the oleophobic coating. I just use one of those microfiber screen cleaning cloths, which does a fine job.
 
Maybe I'm just being overly cautious, I'm concerned that frequent use of 70% alcohol wipes on the phone screen will gradually damage the oleophobic coating. I just use one of those microfiber screen cleaning cloths, which does a fine job.
The intention is not to pass the wipes on the screen, because I thought about damaging the oleophobic structure. It would be more to clean/ sanitize the bodies of the devices.

I really appreciate the help of all of you.
 
Have you considered a UV device like a phone soap? You might be able to skip a good number of the wipe downs and just sanitize with light. We had one and used it often during COVID, but don't really bother with it anymore.
 
Maybe I'm just being overly cautious, I'm concerned that frequent use of 70% alcohol wipes on the phone screen will gradually damage the oleophobic coating. I just use one of those microfiber screen cleaning cloths, which does a fine job.
It does, but so does just your finger friction — not quite as quick.

I keep a far more diluted (i.e., add distilled water), somewhere near 20% concentration, version for casual wipe downs. I also have 90%+ on hand, if needed.
 
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I have a screen protector installed on the screen, so I’m not worried about messing up the oleophobic coating on my actual screen, because I can always change my screen protector.
 
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Have you considered a UV device like a phone soap? You might be able to skip a good number of the wipe downs and just sanitize with light. We had one and used it often during COVID, but don't really bother with it anymore.
My biggest concern was never the sanitization of the devices, since I have alcohol gel and I'm always passing it in my hands. On my old iPhone 16 Pro Max, in the titanium side structure, there were some stains that came out only with alcohol. In the other devices, as they are aluminum, I have not yet had these stains, but the use of alcohol would be due to the removal of these stains, if it occurs.
 
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