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Cleaning iPad screen

Is it safe to use a little bit of water to clean my iPad screen? I don’t want to ruin any coatings. I used dry cloth to wipe the screen, but it hasn’t gotten rid of all the smudges.

iPad Air (5th generation)

Posted on Apr 22, 2023 9:45 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 22, 2023 9:50 AM

I find a microfiber lens cleaning cloth works best. I had a few but lost them. Apple used to include one with some Macs, but now sell this rather overpriced one.


Polishing Cloth - Apple


I bought a Zeiss brand cleaning cloth for eyeglasses at a “dollar store” and that worked great until I lost it.

3 replies

Apr 22, 2023 9:51 AM in response to Surley15

Apple’s recommended cleaning methods are described here:

How to clean your Apple products - Apple Support


For screen cleaning, a slightly moistened microfibre cloth should not cause any issues - provided that you ensure that no moisture is able to penetrate any openings. An optical lens cloth, moistened with a lens cleaner intended for reading glasses may be used with care. While the iPad screen coatings are robust, they can be damaged by abrasives or solvents.

Apr 22, 2023 9:49 AM in response to Surley15

You can use a slightly damp cloth. See the following from How to clean your Apple products - Apple Support

Handle your iPad with care to maintain its appearance. If you're concerned about scratching or abrasion, you can use one of the many cases sold separately. To clean iPad, unplug all cables and turn off iPad (press and hold the Sleep/Wake button, and then slide the onscreen slider). Use a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Avoid getting moisture in openings. Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean iPad. iPad has an oleophobic coating on the screen; simply wipe iPad's screen with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove oil left by your hands. The ability of this coating to repel oil will diminish over time with normal usage, and rubbing the screen with an abrasive material will further diminish its effect and might scratch your screen.


Also see the following from that same support article:

Is it OK to use a disinfectant on my Apple product? 

Using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe, 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipe, or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, you may gently wipe the hard, nonporous surfaces of your Apple product, such as the display, keyboard, or other exterior surfaces. Don't use products containing bleach or hydrogen peroxide. Avoid getting moisture in any opening, and don't submerge your Apple product in any cleaning agents. Don't use on fabric or leather surfaces.

Cleaning iPad screen

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