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tips on cleaning my screen with no streaks.

K

kofman13

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 6, 2009
585
168
2015 rMBP user here. I have tried everything. Just a microfiber cloth (that came with my 2009 MacBook), water, always leaves greasy streaks. with the screen on it looks very clean theres no dust or specs but at lower brightness, screen off, or at an angle against a desk lamp you see that the whole screen is covered in "wax on wax off" smears. This kit has amazing reviews on amazon and a lot of good youtube reviews on it:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01054S5F...olid=1Q35HYU1Y0CIG&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

comes with a really nice cloth

what do you think?

I am also afraid that past cleaners have ruined the coating, I dont know why its always so streaky
 
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distilled water with a long hair MF cloth. Don't use any of those cleaners.

You can get distilled water at any CVS or Walmart for less than a dollar for a gallon, which should last the life of your machine for cleaning purposes.

If distilled water leaves minor streaking, just ignore it. And check the way you are washing your cloth. If you are using fabric softener, it will leave some residue in there.
 
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Not saying that any advertised cleaners do not work as they intend, but generally they are unnecessary for the money. I would just use a lightly dampened microfiber cloth and also accept that you will always be able to identify present marks if you are looking for them.
 
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NovemberWhiskey said:
distilled water with a long hair MF cloth. Don't use any of those cleaners.

You can get distilled water at any CVS or Walmart for less than a dollar for a gallon, which should last the life of your machine for cleaning purposes.

If distilled water leaves minor streaking, just ignore it. And check the way you are washing your cloth. If you are using fabric softener, it will leave some residue in there.
Click to expand...
Looks like the issue is the cloth not the solution. I am not using the proper cloth. Do you have a brand of long fiber microfiber cloth you like ?
[doublepost=1524782447][/doublepost]
Dark Void said:
Not saying that any advertised cleaners do not work as they intend, but generally they are unnecessary for the money. I would just use a lightly dampened microfiber cloth and also accept that you will always be able to identify present marks if you are looking for them.
Click to expand...
Do you have abrand of long fiber microfiber cloth you like ?
 
kofman13 said:
Do you have abrand of long fiber microfiber cloth you like ?
Click to expand...

Not necessarily. I would recommend just getting anything. Microfiber is microfiber, and I wouldn't give in too much to any fancy marketing.

It's not likely to have a display that is absolutely 100% free of any kind of marks or subtle streaks. You'd have to operate your computer in some kind of bubble to achieve that.
 
kofman13 said:
Looks like the issue is the cloth not the solution. I am not using the proper cloth. Do you have a brand of long fiber microfiber cloth you like ?
[doublepost=1524782447][/doublepost]
Do you have abrand of long fiber microfiber cloth you like ?
Click to expand...

https://www.amazon.com/Chemical-Guy...6329&sr=8-3&keywords=chemical+guys+microfiber

Don't listen to the other guy that said all MF is the same. it is NOT. These have one side with extra long and plush fibers. The other side is shorter for heavier cleaning.

For your screen, I recommend using the long and plush side with distilled water. Don't use cleaners, soaps, or alcohol. It may be fine, but may damage the coating.

Also babe sure to clean your MF and make sure nothing is stuck in the fibers. If you have debris in the fibers, it will scratch whatever you rub the cloth on.
 
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Warning!

You had best clean that retina screen AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE.
That's a serious reply.

The retina displays have a VERY thin anti-glare coating that's sprayed on.
It looks great out-of-the-box, but in the real world it can be fragile and easily-damaged.

Every time you clean it, you risk "flaking some of it off".
Read up on "StainGate".

The best way to protect the screen is to be very careful about using it and even touching it -- particularly when you open and close the lid.

Use a soft cloth to "dust away" dust -- without applying much (any?) pressure against the screen surface.

If something is on it that won't "dust away", I'd suggest a soft cloth dampened with water, and then VERY light pressure to remove it.

Again, research StainGate and look at some of the images of what happens to retina screens when they AREN'T "treated with kid gloves"...
 
I would say don't be obsessive about a clean screen. As Fishrrman says, cleaning too much can result in damaging the screen.
 
Fishrrman said:
Warning!

You had best clean that retina screen AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE.
That's a serious reply.

The retina displays have a VERY thin anti-glare coating that's sprayed on.
It looks great out-of-the-box, but in the real world it can be fragile and easily-damaged.

Every time you clean it, you risk "flaking some of it off".
Read up on "StainGate".

The best way to protect the screen is to be very careful about using it and even touching it -- particularly when you open and close the lid.

Use a soft cloth to "dust away" dust -- without applying much (any?) pressure against the screen surface.

If something is on it that won't "dust away", I'd suggest a soft cloth dampened with water, and then VERY light pressure to remove it.

Again, research StainGate and look at some of the images of what happens to retina screens when they AREN'T "treated with kid gloves"...
Click to expand...
im pretty sure I damaged it lol :( it kind of looks similar to stagnate pics but def not that bad, but ill tone the cleaning down
 
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BeatCrazy said:
Rubbing alcohol is a guaranteed way to damage the coating on your screen(s).
Click to expand...
70% IPA with Kimwipes should not do any damage. I do this every few weeks on my iphone X and 2011 non-retina MBP and the results are well, like new glass.

Works for me....
 
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