Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Once and for all, what CAN'T be used to clean the screen.

S

Slip Jigs

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 18, 2008
698
2
There are so many threads about what people use to clean their iPhone and iPad screens, links to where to get the products, etc. This is all good information, but my experience with screen cleaners has been not so good.

First, theyre expensive. Second, most of the ones I've bought don't work. They're either too dry, or they dry up quickly. Sometimes, when you do find a good one, the store ends up discontinuing it, or the product itself changes.

So really, are household glass cleaners bad? Are there certain ingredients that make them bad? If something is OK for the iPhone, is it OK for the iPad as well?
 
no glass cleaner....just invest in a microfiber cloth and you won't need an actual "cleaner" iKlear is what is reccomended at the Apple store but I think that removes the coating on the glass
 
What can't be used to clean the screen? Lots of things. For example sandpaper, bricks and live squid should not be used.
 
Slip Jigs said:
Once and for all, what CAN'T be used to clean the screen.
Click to expand...

Sandpaper, blow torches, a shotgun, etc.

I usually just use a drop or two of water and my shirt, but I have a power support anti-glare screen protector. I've also used a drop or two of alcohol-based hand cleaner if my screen is especially smudgy and I don't think water will quite take care of it.
 
robbieduncan said:
What can't be used to clean the screen? Lots of things. For example sandpaper, bricks and live squid should not be used.
Click to expand...

haha made me laugh...

but seriously... use NOTHING.. except for a good cloth (like what comes with it) and SOMETIMES (if it's really dirty) a DROP of water.
 
vizkiz said:
Sandpaper, blow torches, a shotgun, etc.

I usually just use a drop or two of water and my shirt, but I have a power support anti-glare screen protector. I've also used a drop or two of alcohol-based hand cleaner if my screen is especially smudgy and I don't think water will quite take care of it.
Click to expand...


I thought shotguns were okay??:confused:
 
Soft cloth and water to dampen the towel.

Anything beyond that and you risk reducing the life of the coating. Some chemicals are more harsh than others, and even though paper towels seem soft they are rather abrasive.

Generally the cleaning solutions made for these products and electronics won't negatively impact the live of the electronic item since its life will end before you see a lot of damage -- unless you are OCD and spend your day cleaning it.

Since you are spraying the cleaner on the towel and wiping it off, you shouldn't run into any drying out and leaving spots. Spraying liquids AT electronic items is usually a last resort for that stubborn spot -- especially since you don't want liquids to get inside and corrode or short out your equipment, or trip a liquid sensor.
 
I usually just use my shirt or one of those little Apple cloths that came with my old iPhone 3G or iMac.
 
I opened myself up for some of those responses.

Thank you for the laugh, for the link to the Apple site and ONE scientific response regarding reducing the life of the coating.

Whether a liquid or solvent is needed in addition to just a cloth, that depends on how dirty the screen is and what's on it. The iPhone isn't so bad, but the iPad gets dirty fast and a cloth with nothing on it will just smear the dirt around.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back