the screen is glass --so why can't Windex be used to clean it

This is why a damp cloth isn't enough for me. I actually got spray adhesive on it. The supplier said, use oil, alcohol or the 3M™ Citrus Base Cleaner. I would not distribute oil on my screen... So, a 50/50 alcohol/water mixture seems to be the most appropriate solution.

Years ago I read somewhere that Apple uses an anti-glare coating on the iMac's front glass. Any solvent other than water (which should only be used sparingly) risks breaking down that coating.

My routine for cleaning my iMac's glass is a wipe with the factory supplied microfiber cloth once a month to knock the dust off then every six months I dampen the same cloth just a bit with tap water and wipe the glass down until I don't see any spots left from the occasional human or dog sneeze particles that accumulate if a hand or paw forgets to cover it's mouth.

Not exactly the scientific answer you requested but I hope it helps regardless.

P.S. both my 2011 and 2014 iMacs look just fine using my methods above.

Someone said, Windex is to clean windows... so I thought it’s good for Microsoft products...

Maybe I should contact them to see if they could rebrand, maybe name it Applex, so we could use it for Apple products...

Nobody cares what you clean your Windows computer with. As for Apple products:

Cleaning Apple products:

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/ht204172

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201294

You just don't want to get any behind it. You might be able to use a very small amount to barely wet the cloth and wipe it down but you do not want much moisture on it at all.

Don't even think about it. The screen is not just glass, it's treated and the Windex will leave a mess you won't be able to clear.

I use Windex on my Macbook Pro screen all the time. No problems on my system.

I do put it on a clothe and then clean the screen. But on an iMac you might be able to spray a small amount on the glass itself

Apple says the following:

Don’t use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, alcohol, ammonia, or abrasives to clean the display.

Such cleaners can damage the coating on the display. Normally a soft cloth dampened with water is sufficient. Do not spray directly onto the screen whatever you use. It's too easy for liquid to get inside the case and that will void your warranty.

Regards.

Someone I know used Windex--at least that's what I think he used--on a brand new mid-2011 iMac and it was a disaster. I have never used more than a moistened Qtip, applying in small sections, and the black micofiber cloth to clean and dry.

I just cleaned my MBP screen with Windex. Looks Great.

If Windex can damage whatever coating Apple puts on the screen then is it a very cheap coating.

Shootist007 wrote:

I just cleaned my MBP screen with Windex. Looks Great.

If Windex can damage whatever coating Apple puts on the screen then is it a very cheap coating.

The MBP might use a different screen. And that remark is pointless and silly. I don't know if it's a cheap coating or not, but what difference does it make, if it's going to damage the screen? I would never dream of use Windex on my Leica camera lenses, and they are definitely not cheap coatings.

I use a microfiber cloth lightly dampened with warm water to clean my iMac screen.

Works great and no drips or streaks.

I wouldn't use Windex on my Summilux-M 50 f/1.4 either or any of the other leica lenses I own. But the glass on a Mac computer certainly isn't from Leica or have the Leica coatings on it and certainly doesn't cost upwards of $4000.

OK, you buy a new iMac and you use Windex on the screen. But until you do that, don't suggest that anyone else do it.

No thanks, I'm done buying Apple products. Just like the coating on the iMac screen most of the parts aren't worth what Apple charges for them.