In this day and age, one of the most common questions regarding device maintenance evolves around “is this homemade method safe?” This is an especially popular concern for laptop displays. To properly groom your laptop, you’re going to need to learn the safest and most reliable way to clean a laptop. To help you avoid damage, it’s important to know the differences between safe and unsafe cleaning practices. “Can I Clean My Laptop with Alcohol?” and many other concerns will be addressed in the following list.
This Mac cleaning software is compatible with macOS 10.9 or higher. Detailed review TuneUpMyMac. In addition to this here, I’ll highlight a few key features of top Mac cleanup software – TuneUpMyMac. Features: A powerful and trustworthy Mac cleaning app that helps get rid of infections; Blocks unwanted ads and improves the web browsing. The instructions provided by Apple are very specific: Cleaning your Apple products - Apple Support 'To clean the screen on your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, first shut down the computer and unplug the power adapter. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with water only, then use it to clean the computer's screen.' If dust and fingerprint smudges are clouding your iMac screen, then it is time for a cleaning. Use a non-abrasive cloth, like a microfiber cloth, to wipe away dust. To get rid of stubborn smudges, try a screen cleaner. Avoid using abrasive cleaners and cloths to clean your iMac screen.
Laptops are the dirty, overworked, and underpaid cousins of desktop computers. They require so much use on a daily basis, only to be tossed into a travel backpack and brought along for a smelly ride on public transportation. Then, they get dragged into bed with Netflix-watching owners, complete with fresh Cheetos stains still coating their fingers. It’s time we learned to treat laptops right. Or as Randy from Parks and Recreation says: “Treat yoself.”
Can I Clean My Laptop with Alcohol? Short answer: “No.”
A number of sites such as this one and this one recommend using rubbing alcohol on your laptop screen. When you Google the question, you get a robotic answer with the advice “50% water, 50% isopropanol alcohol.” You now have permission to enter your natural face-palm state.
Please hold off on using alcohol on your laptop screen. While alcohol might have been a decent option for screens in the past, most new displays have coatings that will not do well with any alcohol-based or ammonia-based detergents. That means NO WINDEX, RUBBING ALCOHOL, ISOPROPANOL, NAIL POLISH REMOVER, OR SKOL VODKA.
Can I Clean My Laptop with Disinfectant Wipes?
Everyone has them lying around the house: marvelous Chlorox/Lysol wipes that work wonders in the nasty bathrooms and kitchens of the world. But you should take any bottle that has the poison control hotline and eyewash instructions on the back with a grain of salt when cleaning a device that is constantly in contact with your hands (and by association, your mouth and eyes).
Many of these types of wipes contain strong chemicals, often including both alcohol and ammonia. They will also leave a streaky residue on your keyboard and screen that gets more annoying every time you look at your friend’s baby pictures cluttering up your Facebook feed. In general, household wipes are just too harsh for regular laptop cleaning.
How About with Just Straight-Up Water and Elbow Grease? Maybe Some Spit?
Your laptop is sticky and the screen is covered in dust and fossilized sneeze particles dating back to freshman year. You have a ten page report on “The Actual Last Known Whereabouts of Waldo” due in twelve hours and need a final form of procrastination: cleaning your dirty laptop screen. The only problem is you don’t even have Lysol wipes or alcohol laying around (which is as we saw in the 2 previous section a pretty good thing since it would likely damage your screen) anywhere. Time for the old standby: water and elbow grease.
These two tools are readily available without requiring a trip to the store, which adds to the appeal of using them for cleaning. The problem with water and hand scrubbing (usually a lint-free or microfiber cloth is suggested) is that it doesn’t really clean anything. It can give the illusion of looking cleaner (“this is good enough!”), but not much else.
Think about it this way: if you just rinse your hands off under water after using the restroom, would you honestly believe your hands are as clean as if you used hand soap? Laptops move everywhere. The public transportation. The office. The classroom. The dorm room. The hospital waiting room. Water simply won’t do your expensive device justice.
Water from the tap often contains strong chemicals that can damage your laptop screen, so it’s worth considering using deionized water or boiled water to avoid further damage to your laptop. If you HAVE to use water and have no other choice, make sure that it is deionized.
Is There an Alcohol and Ammonia Free Solution Available?
So apparently everything you’ve Googled or been instructed on when it comes to cleaning laptops is wrong. You read this whole list and gotten no where. C’mon, do you really think I’d want to waste your time like that? Allow me to introduce a display cleaner that you can rely on daily without fear of causing screen damage: ScreenDr 5 oz. Cleaning Solution.
ScreenDr is an alcohol/ammonia free cleaning solution that is designed specifically clean your laptop screen and keyboard (as well as your phone and TV displays). Ever since learning that phones are dirtier than a toilet seats, we sought out to develop a screen cleaner designed to ACTUALLY clean your device screens. Many screen cleaners exist, yet the results truly stand out with ScreenDr.
ScreenDr comes in an all-in-one, eco-friendly bottle design that includes a premium microfiber cloth and a clear, odorless solution that do not break down any protective layer on your computer. In fact, ScreenDr will have your shiny MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Chromebook, or Dell (any laptop model you can think of) looking like the eye candy it once was on the show floor of your favorite electronic store.
How Do I Clean My Laptop Screen?
Now that you’ve settled on ScreenDr, here’s a shortlist of how to properly clean your laptop screen and keyboard once and for all:
- Turn your laptop off and let it cool down for optimal cleaning conditions (a hot screen will cause cleaning solutions to evaporate much faster).
- Pop the cap off the ScreenDr bottle and remove the premium cloth.
- Spray the solution onto the microfiber cloth (never spray directly on the laptop screen). No need to oversaturate the cloth, either.
- Gently wipe the wet side of the cloth in a circular motion on the laptop screen until all residue, specks, dirt, and fingerprints are removed (some will require a little of the the aforementioned elbow grease).
- Once satisfied with the appearance, use the dry side of the cloth to wipe away any remaining streaks and marks on your screen. Repeat the process as you move in between and across the tops of your keyboard.
Boom. Your screen looks and feels twenty times cleaner. That wasn’t so hard, was it?
Except when you use a pizza box as a laptop mount.
Epilogue
“Can I clean my laptop with alcohol?” and all of its related questions will continue to surface. Your family will question you. Your friends will worship you. Everyone will look upon your laptop with awe and curiosity. How do you keep your laptop so clean? You will look upon these folk and simply say, “ScreenDr.”
With such an amazing laptop on hand, it’s understandable that you’d want your Mac to always stay clean and look pristine. The screen of your Mac can get pretty dusty and dirty especially if you’re constantly bringing it out and about when you’re working outside. Keeping it clean not only makes your Mac appear brighter but also makes your screen look clearer.
You can’t use just anything to clean the screen of your Mac. Apple warns against using any cleaner that contains acetone, which can destroy the quality of your Mac screen. Most people use window cleaners or household cleaners to clean their Mac screens but Apple also advises against using these. Anything that contains any ammonia or hydrogen peroxide should stay away from the screen of your Mac.
![Screen Screen](/uploads/1/1/9/3/119327444/882859511.jpg)
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Abrasive cleaners should also be avoided when wiping your Mac screen clean, as it can scratch the surface of the screen. If your cleaner has a spray container, do not spray directly on your Mac screen. This may cause some of the liquid to slide down inside the display, which may damage the screen of your Mac.
Here are the basic steps of cleaning your Mac screen:
- Turn off your Mac. Remove any external devices connected to your display such as the power cord.
- Use a clean and soft cloth to wipe the screen. Make sure that it is free of lint.
- If your Mac screen still has some dirt on it, dampen the cloth with water then wipe your screen again until it’s clean. You can also use a mild cleaner to clean your screen. Make sure that you don’t get any moisture in the openings.
Best Tools to Clean Your Mac Screen
1. Whoosh Screen Shine
If you frequent Apple stores, you’ll notice that some of them actually use Whoosh Screen Shine to clean the screens of Apple products on display. This goes to show that even they think that this cleaner is the best one to use for your Mac screens. For one, Whoosh Screen Shine is formulated using non-toxic ingredients. It is also odorless – a great feature for people who have a sensitive nose.
This cleaner is also advertised as safe to use for all types of screens. A lot of people can vouch for its effectiveness and cleaning power. In addition, it is also important to use a type of cleaner that you’re sure won’t damage your sensitive Mac screen. Whoosh Screen Shine is definitely worth the buck.
2. Kirkland Signature Premium Microfiber Towel
Aside from the cleaner, another important tool to clean your Mac screen properly is the towel. There are different types of towels depending on the material and not every one of them is suitable to use for your Mac screen. Among the most important factors are the towel’s softness and resistance from lint. This is where the Kirkland Signature Premium Microfiber Towel comes into play.
Screen Clean For Macbook Pro
As the name suggests, this type of towel is made from microfiber. It has the right thickness that soaks up enough liquid cleaning formula. Hence, when you wipe the screen with the towel, it doesn’t just smear your Mac screen but actually works in wiping off dirt. It also doesn’t leave your screen with blotches and streaks, which is a plus.
3. Giottos Rocket Air Blaster
Tv And Computer Screen Cleaner
While this isn’t what you’d consider a necessity, having an air blaster is actually an advantage when cleaning lenses, screens, and camera sensors. The Giottos Rocket Air Blaster is a great choice when looking for this type of cleaning tool. It works by giving off a short blast of air on any surface to get rid of tiny particles.
One of the features of this air blaster is that it doesn’t need any external power. Simply squeeze the tool and it’ll give off a blast of air. It no longer requires any freezing compressed aerosol air unlike other air blasters in the market. Plus, you also don’t have to purchase any batteries to power this up.
4. A Bath Towel (or any soft surface)
Last but not the least, get a bath towel or any soft surface that you can use as protection for your Mac. Most people clean their screens vertically. However, it is recommended to do it horizontally. This means that you must place your Macbook on its screen so you can get the best angle for an even clean. The purpose of the bath towel is to protect your Mac from getting any scratches. Simply place your Mac on top of the towel before and during the cleaning process.
With all these tools at hand, you can now rest assured that your Mac screen will remain clear and pristine when you clean it. These cleaning tools are all easily available in stores and online. Among other things, keeping your Mac screen clean is essential to ensure that your Mac stays in tiptop shape.