Microfiber cloths -- TERAGLOVE or MONSTER iCLEAN?

[Amnesiac1]

Spots = residue that has dried.

Hm. Alright. It's glistening so to me it doesn't seem entirely dry, but I guess I will have to wait a few days to go get some distilled water.

I doubt I need the air can, though, given that my iMac screen is only a day old and I doubt much dust has already accumulated.

Spots = residue that has dried. If you took a plastic sheet and dripped salt water on it, it will leave behind salt crystals after drying. If you tried to wipe that dry, you'd scratch the hell out of your panel.

Also...really?

See, I think this is part of why I find myself asking so many questions, sometimes to the point of seeming redundancy. It seems like this forum tends to engender a lot of contradictory answers. One person says one thing, another says the opposite. I know that this is to be expected, and that not everyone can agree on one simple answer but... surely, there is some sort of consensus, especially if this issue is as commons sensical as some of you claim.

I mean, some folks are saying the iMac screen is strong, resilient, and that this thread is unnecessary, while others are claiming that wiping up a glistening something on a screen that is smaller than a penny will "scratch the hell out of [my] panel". It can't be both. Either some people aren't carefully attending to my particular context and what this situation actually requires, or this is just a case of different preferences and opinions.

 

[chown33]

Some of your questions simply can't be answered by anyone here, because none of us can see your screen.

If a spot is glistening, that suggests it's wet. Or it might be a dried spot of some resinous substance like tree sap. Really, only you can determine this, because you're the only person who's in front of the screen and has physical access to it to clean it off.

You'll eventually have to try something yourself, unless you're going to take it into an Apple Store every time you get an unidentified glistening spot on the screen. Multiple people have already given several suggestions on what to try. You may not have an exhaustive list of every possible option, but you do have a range of readily achievable actions. Taking any of those actions, however, is entirely up to you.

 

[Amnesiac1]

Okay, to play it safe, I am going to slightly dampen my microfiber cloth with DISTILLED water and apply it to the spots I have discovered... even though my gut tells me that just drying thme directly would be just fine but apparently that would scratch the hell out of my screen (again, I ask, really?)

Now, as for the "distilled" water...are these available as drinking water at grocery stores or what? How do I pick up distilled water?

 

[Apple OC]

Okay, to play it safe, I am going to slightly dampen my microfiber cloth with DISTILLED water and apply it to the spots I have discovered... even though my gut tells me that just drying thme directly would be just fine but apparently that would scratch the hell out of my screen (again, I ask, really?)

Now, as for the "distilled" water...are these available as drinking water at grocery stores or what? How do I pick up distilled water?

boil some tap water ... then let it cool

 

[jedolley]

Okay, to play it safe, I am going to slightly dampen my microfiber cloth with DISTILLED water and apply it to the spots I have discovered... even though my gut tells me that just drying thme directly would be just fine but apparently that would scratch the hell out of my screen (again, I ask, really?)

Now, as for the "distilled" water...are these available as drinking water at grocery stores or what? How do I pick up distilled water?

I honestly can't believe this thread is two pages long and that I just added to it!

Distilled water can be found at your local grocery store, or at least is available at all the ones i have ever been to.

I guess i'll take this opportunity to put my $.02 in regards to screen cleaning. I usually use ShaggyMac Optimist Prime (http://http://www.shaggymac.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=73) with a microfiber cloth. For screens, I use a Scotch microfiber cloth found at my local grocery store. I guess if you want to be really specific or cautious you can get the one that specifies glass.

With that said, I don't find myself needing to clean my monitor screen that often. Dusting yes, but wiping the screen, not so much. It's not a touch screen, so I rarely if ever have a reason to touch it. My iPad on the other hand is probably cleaned daily.

 

[iSayuSay]

Shoot ... I think iMac is the most beautiful thing in OP´s entire neighbourhood (oops did I say neighbourhood again ) .. or at least he thinks so

That Big-TDI-guy has the great answer, he´s an expert. I hope you don´t piss him off with another small talks

Whoa calm down dude .. I just need a few good laughs today .. so I pick this thread .. now I´d just take some cookie and watch it from aside .. okay

 

[chown33]

boil some tap water ... then let it cool

Boiling kills the germs, but does nothing to remove any dissolved minerals. Just sayin'.

 

[Amnesiac1]

Boiling kills the germs, but does nothing to remove any dissolved minerals. Just sayin'.

Right.

And my local store has "vapour distilled water" but apparently they have added minerals for "flavour". Ugh. Horribly frustrating. Is there a specific brand sold in Canada I can look for that is properly distilled?

Also, to update those who are checking this out: my plan is not to clean the entire screen of an iMac I only just received. Only planning on wiping, ever so gently, select spots. Three, to be exact. Smaller than a penny. Three, select, glistening "spots" or areas or whatever you want to call it.

 

[iSayuSay]

I mean, some folks are saying the iMac screen is strong, resilient, and that this thread is unnecessary, while others are claiming that wiping up a glistening something on a screen that is smaller than a penny will "scratch the hell out of [my] panel". It can't be both. Either some people aren't carefully attending to my particular context and what this situation actually requires, or this is just a case of different preferences and opinions.

iMac is STRONG as in:

It won´t torn apart if you move it while it´s ON.. it won´t scratch the panel if you even use cheap cloth to wipe or clean the surface, as long as you don´t put sulphuric acid on it of course.

But then again, for Pete sake, you don´t need distilled or even lab-grade water to clean your screen, just use tap water and microfibre cloth. Cleaner solution may help to minimize spot occurance after your iMac dried.

iMac is VULNERABLE as in:

It dissipates heat just like normal computer should. If you put it in a warm room or not enough ventilation, the internal could be caput. The display could scratch ONLY if you use barb wire to clean it, or acid like I said. It´s just a normal glass, not hardened, carbon fibre reinforced nor bulletproof.

CONCLUSION:

iMac is just a computer, a nice computer indeed, but nothing really special when it comes to maintenance. Treat it well as a NORMAL COMPUTER should, and iMac should serve you well for years to come.

It´s not expensive as Ferrari, even if there is a slight or scratch won´t kill your iMac, unless you get defective component. It´s still a tool you can use well with proper maintenance

Why you treat your iMac as if you scared so much, as if you´d hurt her feeling. You´re not in some case iMac-fetish, are you?

So, why don´t you stop being neurotic, be normal, treat your iMac NORMALLY, clean it in normal way, use it, and maintain it normally, so people here can treat you the same way too. Seriously, you sounds like toddler. Ask this, and that .. another small this and that, you´re a mature man, are you? Don´t you dare to TRY NORMAL things yourself?

--- END OF STORY .. going back to my seat and enjoy my cookies, again ----

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

Your screen has an anti-reflective coating - this is done to match the index of refraction of your glass - with the atmosphere. Glass vs air is a large gap, therefore transmission isn't perfect = glare. Coating on your glass is a material to "blend" the gap between air and glass - reducing reflection.

Mineral spots / stains / oil / grease - any of these will change the refractive index of your coating - and will appear "wet", "shiny", "bright" or even a completely different color from the surrounding area.

That link I included earlier - even covers this same topic. Google is your friend.

Deionized / Distilled water is not a must - I'd say keep life simple and use some eyeglass cleaner - most of those are just a blend of distilled water and isopropanol.

About the comment of the glass table - did that table have an anti-reflective coating on it? Because if it did, I'd venture to guess it has a Pac Man game or TV embedded inside of it. AR coatings aren't' as resilient as the substrate - no matter what anyone in sales wants you to believe. Aggressive solvents, repeated cleanings, will damage them.

 

[Amnesiac1]

Your screen has an anti-reflective coating - this is done to match the index of refraction of your glass - with the atmosphere. Glass vs air is a large gap, therefore transmission isn't perfect = glare. Coating on your glass is a material to "blend" the gap between air and glass - reducing reflection.

Mineral spots / stains / oil / grease - any of these will change the refractive index of your coating - and will appear "wet", "shiny", "bright" or even a completely different color from the surrounding area.

That link I included earlier - even covers this same topic. Google is your friend.

Deionized / Distilled water is not a must - I'd say keep life simple and use some eyeglass cleaner - most of those are just a blend of distilled water and isopropanol.

About the comment of the glass table - did that table have an anti-reflective coating on it? Because if it did, I'd venture to guess it has a Pac Man game or TV embedded inside of it. AR coatings aren't' as resilient as the substrate - no matter what anyone in sales wants you to believe. Aggressive solvents, repeated cleanings, will damage them.

Okay, so it's late but I'm off to go get a jug of distilled water from the grocery store. I am going to mix that with the microfiber cloth I noted at the start of this thread.

What I am not going to do is buy a can of air and clear away dust. I trust I can get away with this, given that A) hardly anyone does this and B) the iMac in question is a day old. Yes? No?

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

The only reason for distilled water is if your tap water has minerals / sediment or anything to kill bacteria - it may leave those pesky spots on your screen.

Blowing off isn't necessary today - but in 6 months when this computer isn't the center of your shiny planet, it'll have a good layer of dust on it. Just wiping then isn't the best way - you'll want to remove the heavy layer of dust first.

Cleaning your computer every other day to prevent dust from building up in the first place is a sure-fire way to mess up your coating.

That said - the glass front is replaceable, so if you totally bork things, just get a new one. Or you could just clean ALL of the AR coating off, and then you would have a screen that you could clean just like the table mentioned earlier on... You could even just pull the glass, and have a nice matte screen like the cool kids!

 

[Amnesiac1]

The only reason for distilled water is if your tap water has minerals / sediment or anything to kill bacteria - it may leave those pesky spots on your screen.

Blowing off isn't necessary today - but in 6 months when this computer isn't the center of your shiny planet, it'll have a good layer of dust on it. Just wiping then isn't the best way - you'll want to remove the heavy layer of dust first.

Cleaning your computer every other day to prevent dust from building up in the first place is a sure-fire way to mess up your coating.

That said - the glass front is replaceable, so if you totally bork things, just get a new one. Or you could just clean ALL of the AR coating off, and then you would have a screen that you could clean just like the table mentioned earlier on... You could even just pull the glass, and have a nice matte screen like the cool kids!

Thank you. But you definitely do not recommend attempting to clean these select few glistening things with just the cloth sans any water?

I have no clue if my tap water is distilled or not. I can't be sure. Who knows? Off to the grocery store. Back in a bit. Feel free to keep replying. I'll check back as soon as I am back.

 

[iSayuSay]

I have no clue if my tap water is distilled or not. I can't be sure. Who knows? Off to the grocery store. Back in a bit. Feel free to keep replying. I'll check back as soon as I am back.

Hmm you may need to call city water city department and double check. ¨Need that water be distilled to clean my iMac, otherwise I´ll sue¨

 

[Big-TDI-Guy]

*sigh* City Water... Distilled? From the tap? From your metal faucet?

I'm going to get some cookies...

 

[iSayuSay]

*sigh* City Water... Distilled? From the tap? From your metal faucet?

I'm going to get some cookies...

Told ya Big Guy, you may be a surface cleaner expert .. but you wouldn´t be able to beat nor satisfy OP in any way ..

Here, try my cookie ..

 

[coolspot18]

most dollar stores sell microfiber cloth for a buck

I was assuming the OP was lazy to goto the Dollar Store. Ha Ha.

But as for that cloth, it's pretty good quality and worth the $2.65.

 

[Amnesiac1]

Seriously, Big-TDI-Guy, I am asking you a question you have been dodging for a while now. Well, here's two questions.

1. Do you even own an iMac? Ever cleaned one?

2. Given how young my iMac is (one day old), do I need to spray my microfiber with water before taking care of those three miniscule glistening areas? Or can I apply a DRY microfiber cloth to those areas?

 

[GLS]

Jeez....

It's not brain surgery...it is cleaning a screen on a iMac.

I have two iMacs at work...and I clean their screens the same way I clean everything in my sig, and all the Macbooks that our family has....

Go to the discount store near you (Target, Walmart, whatever) and pick up a microfiber cloth in the home cleaning section. If you are creative, you can get a color other than black...and you can get two or more for just a few dollars.

Next, wander over to the pharmacy section of same store. Look or ask for the eyeglass cleaner; it will be in a small spray bottle. I paid .99 cents for my last bottle.

Once home, spray a little on the microfiber, and wipe the screen. Fin.

 

[Amnesiac1]

Please stop recommending cloths. I own the one that was noted in the very first post of this thread.

So far, no one has responded to a very specific question and instead, people have reiterated again and again how to clean the iMac with water. That's clear and unnecessary. I am not asking this.

What I am asking is: given the specific context of my situation (new iMac, three minuscule glistening spots) do I need to spray my microfiber cloth with distilled water or can I apply the cloth dry (sans water) to the screen? Remember, I am not interested in cleaning the entire screen as this is a new iMac and that is not necessary. I simply want to clean these three, very small glistening areas I have detected.

This is the specific question I am asking.

 

[Apple OC]

Please stop recommending cloths. I own the one that was noted in the very first post of this thread.

So far, no one has responded to a very specific question and has instead reiterated again and again how to clean the iMac with water. Yes, that's clear.

What I am asking is: given the specific context of my situation (new iMac, three minuscule glistening spots) do I need to spray my microfiber cloth with distilled water or can I apply the cloth dry (sans water) to the screen? Remember, I am not interested in cleaning the entire screen as this is a new iMac and that is not necessary. I simply want to clean these three, very small glistening areas I have detected.

This is the specific question I am asking.

buy a bottle of iKlear and get on with your life

 

[GLS]

Please stop recommending cloths. I own the one that was noted in the very first post of this thread.

So far, no one has responded to a very specific question and has instead reiterated again and again how to clean the iMac with water. Yes, that's clear.

What I am asking is: given the specific context of my situation (new iMac, three minuscule glistening spots) do I need to spray my microfiber cloth with distilled water or can I apply the cloth dry (sans water) to the screen? Remember, I am not interested in cleaning the entire screen as this is a new iMac and that is not necessary. I simply want to clean these three, very small glistening areas I have detected.

This is the specific question I am asking.

Quit over analyzing this.

Your iMac screen is glass. Repeat. Glass.

Short of blasting it with a garden hose, or putting it in the shower, or using hydrochloric acid.....tap water, distilled water, rubbing alcohol or spit will all do a satisfactory job of cleaning glass.

 

[Amnesiac1]

buy a bottle of iKlear and get on with your life

This advice is of no value. I appreciate the attempt, but really, it is clear that you didn't even read the post you quoted and perhaps the whole thread. The thread has moved on from the title. I am not asking about iKlear or teraglove anymore. I am asking a different question. The question that you quoted.

What you just did was quote a specific question and then provide an answer for a different question.

Quit over analyzing this.

Your iMac screen is glass. Repeat. Glass.

Short of blasting it with a garden hose, or putting it in the shower, or using hydrochloric acid.....tap water, distilled water, rubbing alcohol or spit will all do a satisfactory job of cleaning glass.

Same situation here. I am not asking about whether or not it will be fine if I use "tap water, distilled water, rubbing alcohol or spit".

I am asking if I can apply a DRY cloth to the noted areas.

Here is the question again. To all those who are interested in helping me, providing some advice, etc., please attend and respond to the particulars of this question:

Please stop recommending cloths. I own the one that was noted in the very first post of this thread.

So far, no one has responded to a very specific question and instead, people have reiterated again and again how to clean the iMac with water. That's clear and unnecessary. I am not asking this.

What I am asking is: given the specific context of my situation (new iMac, three minuscule glistening spots) do I need to spray my microfiber cloth with distilled water or can I apply the cloth dry (sans water) to the screen? Remember, I am not interested in cleaning the entire screen as this is a new iMac and that is not necessary. I simply want to clean these three, very small glistening areas I have detected.

This is the specific question I am asking.

 

[Apple OC]

live with it then ... iKlear or plain water will fix your problem.

 

[QuarterSwede]

Same situation here. I am not asking about whether or not it will be fine if I use "tap water, distilled water, rubbing alcohol or spit".

I am asking if I can apply a DRY cloth to the noted areas.

Here is the question again. To all those who are interested in helping me, providing some advice, etc., please attend and respond to the particulars of this question:

I guess we just don't understand why you don't try the dry method and then if it doesn't work use a wet method. Seriously, am I missing something here?