Isopropyl = bad?

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Isopropyl = bad?

I realize this question is rather silly, and I apologize, but I tend to worry about these kinds of things unless I ask about them.

I've always used a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water to clean my computer screens (50% water and 50% * 70% isopropyl). From what I understand, these are exactly the same ingredients used in most commercial screen cleaners, perhaps even more diluted.

I recently used this solution to wipe off my 2010 MacBook Pro screen, and there don't seem to be any problems, but this support page - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3226 - explicitly says not to use isopropyl on the MacBook screen. I'm also concerned because I once managed to dissolve the surface rubber lining of one of my mice with the isopropyl solution, and the MacBook Pro display has a thin rubber bezel keeping the glass in place.

Does anybody else use an isopropyl solution to clean their MacBook Pro displays? Why would Apple single out isopropyl on their support page? Should I be concerned?

MacBook Pro 13" (April 2010), Mac OS X (10.6.3)

Posted on Jun 8, 2010 3:37 AM

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Answer 1

archagon Author

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Jun 8, 2010 3:47 AM in response to archagon

And on a related note, does the MacBook Pro screen's glass have any coatings applied to it that alcohol might remove?

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Answer 2

Jun 8, 2010 3:55 AM in response to archagon

I generally use a damp (not wet) DAMP cloth and elbow grease!!! it tends to work just as well if you then polish it straight away with another dry cloth to avoid streaks...
why does the world turn to chemicals so quickly when it is usally unnecesary?

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Answer 3

MacHeadz

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Jun 8, 2010 6:37 AM in response to archagon

I use OptiMist Prime instead of any alcohol based cleaners. It cuts through grease and smudges just as well, without the harmful side effects.

http://www.shaggymac.com/index.php?mainpage=product_info&cPath=2&productsid=73

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Answer 4

Jun 8, 2010 9:35 AM in response to archagon

3 Words....

Micro

Fiber

Cloth

In addition, yes isopropyl is NOT good to use. It has destroyed the finish of MANY an LCD at every place I've EVER worked. I don't know why people insist on using it, as well as ammonia based cleaners, on computer equipment. Window glass yes, but computer equipment, no.

Message was edited by: osxtasy91

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Answer 5

archagon Author

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Jun 8, 2010 1:48 PM in response to archagon

Well, probably because most screen cleaners actually do use isopropyl. Are you sure it was the alcohol?

Also, since the MacBook Pro's display has a glass front, I'm not sure if it would even matter.

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Answer 6

Jun 8, 2010 7:48 PM in response to archagon

Isopropanol (or isopropyl alcohol) is a common cleaning solvent for electronics, and can be used on LCD screens and glass (but at the risk of potentially damaging anti-glare or other coatings on the glass). This is probably one of the reasons why Apple recommends against using isopropanol based cleaning products.

FWIW, I occasionally use a little bit of isopropanol to clean the aluminum surface of my MBP to remove grease, fingerprints, and other kinds of dirt. I've used it to to clean logic boards that have suffered liquid spills. It's great of these kinds of applications because it dissolves polar compounds, is relatively non-toxic, and evaporates very rapidly, leaving little to no residue or streaking like ammonia based products sometimes do.

However, I wouldn't use it on any kind of screen that has a coating. I doubt IPA would dissolve the rubber gasket on the newer MBP displays, but it could dry it out if you expose it to too much. That could lead to cracking of the rubber.

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Answer 7

archagon Author

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Jun 8, 2010 8:50 PM in response to Shaggywerewolf

Thanks! Do you know if the MacBook Pro screen has a coating?

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Answer 8

Jun 8, 2010 11:31 PM in response to archagon

I don't think it does....but i'm not 100% certain, and I haven't used isopropanol on my unibody 15" MBP screen before. So I'd tread carefully.

Generally I don't have to ever use alcohol to clean my screen; a micro-fibre cloth is usually sufficient. The exterior case is what I clean using alcohol.

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