Comments on: De-booger your laptop

By: Robert

Robert — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:21:13 +0000

Rick,
I’m just relaying what I have found that works for me over 10+ years of Apple laptop ownership. I’ll be the first to admit that this is not Apple’s recommended cleaning method. I know iKlear and I know they make a decent product. I just don’t feel like paying $20 to clean my MacBook when a $4 bottle of glass cleaner does the trick. Do what works for YOU.

By: Rick

Rick — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:42:02 +0000

There is a good reason why Apple advises against using glass cleaners on your display. The reason is that they can easily damage your laptop’s display.

Seriously, it is a very bad idea to use glass cleaner (and other abrasives) on a laptop’s display. Most glass cleaners contain ammonia, which is an abrasive, basic chemical with a pH 11.5. This can seriously damage your laptop’s display, especially if you use it constantly to clean your display. I advise against cleaning your laptop’s display with glass cleaner.

Instead, I would go with Jim’s advice by using iKlear. iKlear is awesome. It effectively cleans the display (and the rest of the computer) in a non-abrasive way. The company that makes iKlear also makes an antibacterial cloth that can be used to clean the laptop’s surfaces, including the keyboard. :)

By: Robert

Robert — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:24:20 +0000

Jim makes a good point about protecting your screen from the keyboard. The danger is more significant than just transferring french fry grease to your screen though. The keys on most Apple laptops can actually touch the screen when pressure is applied to the closed lid. Over time this contact can result in a burnishing (read scratching) of the screen making the marks permanent. This is especially prevalent with the 17″ machines like Jim’s and any Apple laptop carried in a backpack.

By: jim

jim — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 01:11:27 +0000

I’m pretty careful with my equipment to avoid spills, dents or scratches. Not quite weekly, but certainly at least every couple weeks I do clean my 17″ MBP. Having been warned of the dangers of alcohol and ammonia glass cleaners, I switched to iKlear Apple Polish which does a superb job on the screen…and actually does a good job on the entire case and keys. (and it’s recommended by Apple) For about $20 you get a bottle of it, the perfect microfiber cleaning cloth, and some portable disposable appliers with small polishing cloth for your laptop bag. I use it on my 24″ Dell, too. My first kit has lasted way over a year.)

Here is another good reason for cleaning the keyboard: the oils from your fingers will transfer to the screen when it’s closed, and after some time, it’ll be difficult to remove the transferred oils. Some folks like to insert a thin microfiber cloth between keyboard and screen when laptop is closed. Or you can use a clean piece of paper cut to fit. Swap it out each week for a fresh one when you do your maintenance cleaning, as booliansplit has recommended.

Just for fun, every once in a while, turn your laptop over and see what falls out from between the keys. ha ha ha! it’s usually surprising (in a gross kind of way).

By: iamchanelle

iamchanelle — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:33:13 +0000

and i thought i was the only one out there actually cleaning my laptop, haha! i cannot BELIEVE the filth on some folk’s ‘puters, ick.

and i have always used windex and a paper towel also, how random is that?! you know what they say about great minds… ;)