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Use alcohol to clean the screen?

asdfgbg

asdfgbg

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 31, 2013
124
0
Germany
Hello all,
I bought a glass screen protector from amazon and it came with a alcohol cleaning cloth to clean the screen of the phone.
My question is, is it safe to use this cloth to clean my screen or will it cause damage to it ?
On the package it says ''isopropyl'' btw.
 
asdfgbg said:
Hello all,
I bought a glass screen protector from amazon and it came with a alcohol cleaning cloth to clean the screen of the phone.
My question is, is it safe to use this cloth to clean my screen or will it cause damage to it ?
On the package it says ''isopropyl'' btw.
Click to expand...

I seriously barely know anything about this, but it wouldn't use it on your actual phone screen at all. I have heard chemical-like cleaners can damage or eat away at the oleophobic layer on he iPhone screen.
 
asdfgbg said:
Hello all,
I bought a glass screen protector from amazon and it came with a alcohol cleaning cloth to clean the screen of the phone.
My question is, is it safe to use this cloth to clean my screen or will it cause damage to it ?
On the package it says ''isopropyl'' btw.
Click to expand...

I'm in the "no chemicals" crowd. Apple even recommends not using them. My thinking is it would wear down the oleophobic coating more quickly and possibly cause etching on the screen.

Using it once just to apply a screen protector is probably fine, but in generally I think your best bet is a microfiber cloth and occasional drops of water.
 
I used rubbing (isopropyl alcohol) on my old Toshiba's LCD screen. Let us just say that some alcohol went underneath the LCD and caused permanent "hazing", but it was a small area and the screen itself is still fine.

So in my view, it's a no-no for alcohol to go on displays. Try just using a tiny bit of water instead.
 
I've used it on my current phone twice to clean the screen prior to putting on a screen protector. Repeated, frequent use might well damage the coating, but I don't think using it once to prep the glass for a protector is going to cause major problems.

Alcohol + steamy bathroom = lint free screen.
 
I do it. Using very little just to get off dirt but for general use I stick with microfiber cloths.
 
I've been using a 50/50 solution of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. Works great.
 
Do not understand why people want to use a chemical like alcohol when it is not required to clean the screen. It will not hurt it but it is just not needed.

Sometimes less is better.

So many threads on this!:p
 
Clean iPhone immediately if it comes into contact with contaminants that may cause stains, such as ink, dyes, makeup, dirt, food, oils, and lotions. To clean iPhone, unplug all cables and turn it off. Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPhone. The front glass surfaces have an oleophobic coating. To remove fingerprints, wipe these surfaces with a soft, lint-free cloth. The ability of this coating to repel oil will diminish over time with normal use, and rubbing the screen with an abrasive material will further diminish its effect and may scratch the glass.

To clean the dirt that may accumulate around the SIM tray opening, use a soft lint-free cloth and place a very small amount of rubbing alcohol on it. Very gently wipe the dirt away from the port opening and avoid getting any of the moisture in the opening.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3226?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
 
ionjohn said:
Clean iPhone immediately if it comes into contact with contaminants that may cause stains, such as ink, dyes, makeup, dirt, food, oils, and lotions. To clean iPhone, unplug all cables and turn it off. Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPhone. The front glass surfaces have an oleophobic coating. To remove fingerprints, wipe these surfaces with a soft, lint-free cloth. The ability of this coating to repel oil will diminish over time with normal use, and rubbing the screen with an abrasive material will further diminish its effect and may scratch the glass.

To clean the dirt that may accumulate around the SIM tray opening, use a soft lint-free cloth and place a very small amount of rubbing alcohol on it. Very gently wipe the dirt away from the port opening and avoid getting any of the moisture in the opening.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3226?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US
Click to expand...

"Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, or abrasives to clean iPhone."

Where is isopropyl alcohol? It is not in any of the mentioned categories. I slather rubbing alcohol on tissue over the phone to clean it. Been doing it daily for 8 months and it hasn't turned over yet.
 
I7guy said:
"Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, or abrasives to clean iPhone."

Where is isopropyl alcohol? It is not in any of the mentioned categories. I slather rubbing alcohol on tissue over the phone to clean it. Been doing it daily for 8 months and it hasn't turned over yet.
Click to expand...

Isopropyl alchohol is a solvent.
 
A little rolled up tape dabbed on the screen before application of a protector works great. Just don't use tape that is overly adhesive. Scotch works nice.
 
yeah said:
I used rubbing (isopropyl alcohol) on my old Toshiba's LCD screen. Let us just say that some alcohol went underneath the LCD and caused permanent "hazing", but it was a small area and the screen itself is still fine.

So in my view, it's a no-no for alcohol to go on displays. Try just using a tiny bit of water instead.
Click to expand...

My friend had the same thing happen to his 5S. He had never had a problem with other phones until this one.
 
I7guy said:
It is clearly not in the same category as benzine. In fact apple makes mention of using isopropyl alcohol in their blurb. Regardless I've been cleaning my phones for years with isopropyl and not going to stop now.
Click to expand...

You do what you want with your stuff, we couldn't care less. We're just advising people
 
ionjohn said:
You do what you want with your stuff, we couldn't care less. We're just advising people
Click to expand...

Same here. You could do it not do what you want, I'm passing along my advice and experience; WE could care less.

Some people treat their iPhones like the Crown Jewels. They ain't, not by a long shot. Be reasonable with use and care and they will work properly. I like a clean phone free from grease and germs and isopropyl gets that, provided you don't dunk the phone in it.
 
I would advise against using anything other than a soft cloth.

Alcohol, cleaning products, and other solvents and sprays can remove the oleophobic coating iOS devices has. You are actually damaging your device.

But thats only mine, and Apples (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3226?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US) opinions.

----------
I7guy said:
Same here. You could do it not do what you want, I'm passing along my advice and experience; WE could care less.
.
Click to expand...

*Couldn't care less. Couldn't.
 
I7guy said:
"Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, or abrasives to clean iPhone."

Where is isopropyl alcohol? It is not in any of the mentioned categories. I slather rubbing alcohol on tissue over the phone to clean it. Been doing it daily for 8 months and it hasn't turned over yet.
Click to expand...

Not a doubt the it is a solvent!

I love the screen cleaning threads! So many answers that if a newbie was not confused, they are now!
 
Last edited:
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