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Cleaning MacBook screen?

TellyTel

TellyTel

TellyTel

Soldato
Joined
18 Feb 2007
Posts
14,180
Location
London
Hi

How do all clean your screens? I used to use a screen spray and MF on my old iMac and it did the job, but on my MacBook M1 I find I get loads of smears that are really hard to remove.

So what's the trick?

Thanks
 
I use whoosh, which is what they used to use in the Apple Stores, not sure if they still do. I was half tempted to buy one of the official cleaning cloths, but couldn't get drunk enough to pay that price, so a standard microfibre does the job.
 
Feek said:
How are you getting smears on the screen? Are you touching it? Don’t touch the screen!

Lint free microfibre cloth, very slightly dampened if needed. Nothing more.
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No idea, I don't touch the screen, the only area that might get a slight finger print is where I open the lid by the camera.

I just used a silky glasses type MF slightly damp, which cleans it fine, but when it comes to drying and removing any smears from the damp MF the screen looks all greasy and it takes a lot of wiping with a dry MF to get it clean looking.
 
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I’ve got a whole pile of microfibre cloths and if I find things start smearing, it’s time to chuck it away and use a new one. A wash would probably do it but I have so many that they’re effectively disposable.
 
Feek said:
I’ve got a whole pile of microfibre cloths and if I find things start smearing, it’s time to chuck it away and use a new one. A wash would probably do it but I have so many that they’re effectively disposable.
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Yeah perhaps that's it, although they look clean they likely need a good wash or replacing. Been using the same MF on my screen for about 4+ yrs:o:cry:
 
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Just a cloth or water doesn't really work, you get greasy particles especially if you live in a city and have windows open. As such wiping them with a damp cloth will leave smears. You need some kind of cleaner to remove them effectively.
 
random_matt said:
70% isopropyl alcohol. Apple's advise on the studio display anyway. I used MagicFiber for cleaning.
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Don’t use 70% isopropyl on your phone screen. It’ll eat away at the oleophobic coating.


I use an eco spray which doesn’t have any harsh/strong chemicals in it - just helps remove any crap on the screen.
 
( yes never use IPA earlier thread https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/threads/electronics-cleaning-wipes.18939664/#post-35172803 )

I use a mild detergent - dab of car shampoo ( without any shine additives) on a damp lint free cloth - for screens/phones/tv - and then wipe with a rinsed cloth
if the screen has been on, and is warm residual water evaporates., otherwise I use a good quality soft tissue/andrex to dry it.

even glasses wipes can have strong chemicals in them - coating on glasses is usually tougher and more resilient than screens - I use fairy liquid and hot water on glasses, but wouldn't use that on a screen.
 
MrRockliffe said:
Don’t use 70% isopropyl on your phone screen. It’ll eat away at the oleophobic coating.


I use an eco spray which doesn’t have any harsh/strong chemicals in it - just helps remove any crap on the screen.
Click to expand...

Would this happen to be Ecomoist Screen Cleaner? If so then it’s carp. No better than purified water alone.

You want something with a small amount of IPA really. Not too much however.

That Ecomoist stuff is a rip off for basically boiled and filtered water.
 
Philtor said:
Would this happen to be Ecomoist Screen Cleaner? If so then it’s carp. No better than purified water alone.

You want something with a small amount of IPA really. Not too much however.

That Ecomoist stuff is a rip off for basically boiled and filtered water.
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Yeah that’s the one. Have used it for years and it has worked well.

My local water is super hard so if I use it in a spray bottle it gets grimey quite quick.


I buy the eco mist about once every 2-3 years and get a new micro fibre each time, so works well for my needs.
 
Yeah they throw in the microfibers to inflate the price even more. I was really disappointed with it.

I actually emailed them at the time and no reply.

Boiled and filtered water will do the same job.

Any oily finger marks etc and you need some IPA added in my experience.
 
MrRockliffe said:
Don’t use 70% isopropyl on your phone screen. It’ll eat away at the oleophobic coating.


I use an eco spray which doesn’t have any harsh/strong chemicals in it - just helps remove any crap on the screen.
Click to expand...
I don't, but Apple themselves recommend water or 70% isopropyl for tougher marks on the studio display.
Edit: Macbooks I would just use a damp microfiber cloth.
 
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I use a specific spray for both my MBP and phone screens, apply the spray to a microfibre cloth and clean screen, and then use dry side of the cloth to buff off. They look brand new once done
 
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