Q: How does one clean a retina display

Cleaning Apple products:

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3226

Water and a microfibre cloth should work fine.  Microfibre cloths do need to be washed or replaced occasionally though.

Use a slightly damp micr-fiber cloth using water only and after that use soft tissue paper which will get rid of the streaks...  this method works very well...

Worked great thanks!

Just use the included microfiber cloth. Works well.

I used LCD screen cleaner liquid with micro-fibre cloth and something in it ruined my screen Or maybe I just rubbed too hard. Some areas look like the outer coating has just rubbed off, it looks horrible. Hope I can prevent further damage with using just water and not pressing so hard.

Yeah, you should just use water. LCD cleaner really isn't necessary and in most cases is just a waste of money.

Klaus1, the Apple support page on cleaning is utterly useless.  All it says is to use a microfiber cloth.  It gives no recommendation whatsoever as to what cleaning solution is best.  It's even humorous because it repeats the same non-info for each Apple product individually.

Question is can ordinary water really help with grease-like smudges or that white build up?

jdiamond wrote:

 

Klaus1, the Apple support page on cleaning is utterly useless.  All it says is to use a microfiber cloth.  It gives no recommendation whatsoever as to what cleaning solution is best.  It's even humorous because it repeats the same non-info for each Apple product individually.

 

Question is can ordinary water really help with grease-like smudges or that white build up?

I think the link provided by Klaus1 is very clear. In addition to other things it says "Keep liquids away from the product." I think "cleaning solutions" and "water" would fall into the category of liquids.

Learn how to clean your Mac notebook computer.

MacBook, MacBook Pro, and MacBook Air

When cleaning the outside of your MacBook, MacBook Pro, or MacBook Air, first shut down your computer and unplug the power adapter. Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the computer's exterior. Avoid getting moisture in any openings. Do not spray liquid directly on the computer. Don't use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish.

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.

Important: The bottom case of the MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) and MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2010) uses a soft nonslip material. Use a 3M Gray Microfiber or soft dye-free, lint-free cloth to clean the bottom case.

I don't see anywhere in the text you copied where it says "Keep liquids away from the product."  It seems to only talk about the obvious point of not getting liquids inside the computer.  Then it gives the ominous warning: "Don't use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish", without being kind enough to say which ones we *could* use, or even if we should use water.

I'm honestly not trying to nit pick here - I just don't see any recommendation at all of what to use to clean your screen.  Just some very vague warnings that certain classes of fluids might damage your screen - but seriously, look at this list:  solvents?  abrasives?  hydrogen peroxide?  even aerosol sprays?  Maybe some people are that naive as to use furniture polish, but I'd like to see a concrete recommendation within the realm of plausible cleaners.

In short, this page is far more high level than that.  It might as well say, "be sure to only use a cleaning solution that won't damage your screen."

every manufacturer ever says do not allow near liquids.

you want to get the screen moist (like mouth-steam moist, or a mostly-dry sponge) and then vigourously POLISH the screen with a soft cloth. think of it more like spectacle glasses then a LCD.

to clean the outside of anything electronic, use 90% alcohol and papertowel, this will remove all oils and adhesives, it will also completely evaporate quickly.

peter915 Dec 3, 2013 8:00 AM   

I tried everything. Distilled and plain water leaves streaks and smudges.  Its not a big deal, But what is the best way to clean a retina screen without leaving what seems to look like oily streaks?

  

 

MACBOOK PRO (RETINA, 15-INCH, LATE 2013)

There is a word of caution wearing off the anti-reflective coating on Retina MacBook Pros.

You can find more info if you google "Staingate"

I had the same problem as the screen would never be completely clean and because I have a black wallpaper it was very noticeable.

Now I use to clothes, a humid and a wet one. The trick is to use the humid one first without applying pressure and in small areas at a time so you can quickly dry it with the other cloth.

Yes, my Insignia Screen Cleaner that I bought at Best Buy just dissolved a large portion of the coating on my Retina Display.

Good times.