mac diddy

Part 2: How to safely clean a Macbook or desktop LCD screen.

OK, now that we have the safety tips out of the way, let’s talk about the most common question I hear: how do I safely clean the screen? Well if you’re like me, the worst thing to ever happen to the screen should be a little dust. That’s because I don’t touch the screen, I don’t sneeze on the screen, I don’t open fizzy drinks near the screen, and I don’t touch the screen (repeated for emphasis).

Yet even my screens get the occasional splotch, mostly due to my nemeses: screen-touchers. You know who I’m talking about. Screen-touchers are that reprehensible sort who feel they can’t point to something on a display without actually pressing their greasy fingers against the optical-grade plastic or glass, sometimes with enough force to cause a little rainbow-spehere of liquid crystal distortion. Every once in a while one of them smudges up my Macbook screen or desktop LCD before I get a chance to politely intervene (simultaneously quelling my desire to non-surgically remove the offending digit).

I digress. Every LCD will eventually get some kind of mark or smear on it, so let’s talk cleaning. Matte screens are especially delicate and glossy/glass screens smudge easily, so either way cleaning effectively is a challenge. I’ve never found a great pre-pagacked solution. Most of them are of questionable quality or tend to leave lots of smudgy badness behind. So let’s start with some dos and don’ts.

• Don’t use household cleaners.
• Don’t use paper products – tissues, paper towels, napkins, lens wipes – as they can scratch your screen.
• Don’t use much force. It there’s something on your screen that could scratch it, you don’t want to press it into your screen while you wipe. Also, LCDs – especially matte ones – are fragile and don’t like much pressure.
• Do start with a dry microfiber cloth. Softly use this cloth to get rid of dust and any potentially scratchy debris.
• Do unplug your computer and remove the battery before using anything which could get moisture into the system.
• Don’t spray anything directly onto the screen. This gives liquid a chance to get into sensitive areas where it can cause damage. If you’re going to use a liquid, then spray it on the cloth.
• Don’t use tap water because it contains lots minerals which can leave residue on your screen.
• Do use distilled water, as it will not leave its own residue.

Here’s my standard procedure:

1. Start with a dry microfiber ultra-soft cloth and very gently remove any dust and particulates.
2. Next slightly moisten a clean microfiber cloth with distilled water and gently attempt to wipe away stuck on debris.
3. For oil-based stains (fingerprints) or other more persistent stains, you may need to use something stronger. I find that a 50% (or less) solution of isopropyl alcohol is pretty safe and effective. Use distilled water in equal parts to isopropyl alcohol to make your own solution. This is not something you should do commonly on plastic screens, as repeated contact with alcohol can discolor plastic. However, using this weak alcohol solution on occasion to get rid of stubborn spots shouldn’t be problematic.
4. Optional: go smack the scamp who touched your screen.

You can also use the 50/50 solution to clean your keyboard on your Macbook. Again, unplug the Macbook and remove the battery, make the cloth moist (not wet) and gently wipe down the keyboard. White Macbook keyboards are dirt magnets. Avoid using your keyboard/trackpad immediately after putting on hand lotion, as the white plastic readily soaks up oils and discolors quickly. In fact, avoid using lotion altogether, allowing your hands to naturally mummify while your Macbook stays clean and neat. Actually, you should avoid using your Macbook altogether, encase it in glass, and protect it from dust and sunlight. Don’t touch it. Don’t even look at it. I’ve got to go wash my hands…