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

nyy13251

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jan 26, 2018
116
42
I just got the 2018 MBP. What do I use to clean the keyboard and screen? Apple website says a micro towel but I feel like that won’t get the hand smudges off the screen and keys. I think the site said use damp cloth but I hate idea of using water. What do you guys use?
 
Exactly, i use only a damp microfiber cloth...
I don't trust Apple screen coating enough to use anything other than water since i had my screens delaminating on the previous MacBooks i owned.
 
Rubbing alcohol might be safer than water.
I don’t know. Alcohol is a solvent. As long as you’re using a damp cloth then I think you’d be fine.

Also I recommend the Whoosh and Screen Mom brand screen cleaner. They’re both safe and mild enough where they won’t do any damage.
 
For the screen I would use Screen Mom and stay away from alcohol for that part as it could harm any coatings Apple uses. For the keyboard I use a microfiber with a little alcohol since I have oily hands. The alcohol should evaporate almost immediately.
 
jerryk has it right in #9 above.

You don't want to be "cleaning the screen" all the time.
In fact, you want to touch it AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE.

The retina display has a very fine "sprayed on" anti-glare coating.
Because it's comprised of fine particles bound to the display by an adhesive, it's "on the fragile side", so to speak. Looks great, but can be damaged by careless handling.

DON'T "rub it" with a cleaning cloth (read on).
Just "dust your cloth" lightly across the surface to remove dust.

DON'T use "cleaners" on it.
If you get something stuck to the display, use a water-dampened cloth to dislodge it.
Again, as little pressure as possible.
Then, "dust" as above.

BE CAREFUL when you open and close the lid.
Try not to come into contact with the display surface.
 
Rubbing alcohol might be safer than water.

No, rubbing alcohol is typically quite strong at 70-80% ethanol and is not meant for delicate surfaces. You need only small amounts of very mild soapy water. Clean while off and make sure the cloth is only damp not wet so there aren't any drips, then dry with a separate cloth.
 
Last edited:
I use a micro fiber cloth and plain water. If you have real dirt, Magic Erasers work wonders.

I think it'd be hilarious to hear the howls if someone actually used a Magic Eraser on any part of an MBP, but *especially* the screen.
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone. I guess I will just use a dry micro towel to wipe the keyboard and maybe once in a while go across the screen. I just hate seeing all the fingerprints and smudges on keyboard and screen. I don’t want to end up damaging the screen.
 
iKlear or (low concentration) IPA for the more stubborn stuff.

I use a drop of 99.99% IPA all the time mixed with a drop of filtered water. Just put a tiny amount on a clean microfiber cloth. It never negatively impacted anything on my MBP 2015/2016/2017. It's also safer since it evaporates quickly. I think the right dosage is critical, and just be extra careful with the screen.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.