Except for the screen but basically everywhere else of the exterior of the body (keyboard, etc) I've been doing this for a while on my 11" mba....have I been essentially harming it? Damnit...
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Using a damp paper towel to clean the exterior: Bad?
- Thread starter daonesteven
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I use a dampened micro fibre cloth for this, and the screens on my iMac, MBP and MBA....No chemicals etc.
Have you damaged it, I doubt it, but use a micro cloth in future, they cost nothing.
Have you damaged it, I doubt it, but use a micro cloth in future, they cost nothing.
well i mean because the official apple documentation seems to say to use a lint-free microfiber cloth to clean the exterior and people here seem to say to avoid using paper towels since they're abrasive...so I'm wondering if I've essentially been scratching it up this entire time since I use a damp paper towel to clean it at least a couple times a week
You should be fine, just make sure the paper towel isn't too wet - if you "squeeze" it a bit while cleaning the keyboard for example, you might press out a drop of water that could get into your keyboard, which of course is bad. Cloth is better that way, it absorbs the moisture better. I'd say the risk of scratching solid metal with a damp paper towel is pretty slim though 
these cleaning threads crack me up..it is a MBA, not the hubble telescope. Use your common sense, stay away from harsh wash media or harsh cleaners, and go worry about something else....
Seriously, I don't get why folks think their Apple products are so fragile.
What other brand besides
would people bend over backwards for to buy cases, screen shields, etc? My old Dell (from a few years ago) was covered in scratches, it didn't bother me at all.Seriously, I don't get why folks think their Apple products are so fragile.
What other brand besides
My hope is that this is a rhetorical question.
This. I clean my entire MBP with paper towels lightly sprayed with windex (actually have done this with all three of my Macbooks to date). They all still looked new when I eventually sold them.
I probably wouldn't do this on the bare, glossy screen of the MBA. Paper towel + windex for the exterior casing, dry microfiber cloth for the screen. I hope they cover the MBA screen with glass in the next update (which is when I plan to buy one, finally).
While it's not likely to scratch aluminum, remember paper towels are a by-product of wood. Rather wasteful as well if you care about the environment.
A far better choice is a washable microfiber cloth. You can use one on the screen as well. Unless you let your computer get awfully dirty, nothing more than a lightly dampened microfiber cloth will ever be needed. Mine all look like new.
A far better choice is a washable microfiber cloth. You can use one on the screen as well. Unless you let your computer get awfully dirty, nothing more than a lightly dampened microfiber cloth will ever be needed. Mine all look like new.