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DeepSix

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 4, 2022
863
942
Is the iPad screen any different from say eyeglass lenses? I know that it’s best to always soak the lenses with water first before wiping it clean with a microfibre cloth or else it will scratch the lens. Would the same apply for the iPad screens? Can you accidentally scratch the iPad screens from cleaning it without water and a dry cloth as opposed to wet?
 

chscag

macrumors 601
Feb 17, 2008
4,622
1,946
Fort Worth, Texas
I use lens cleaning solution and either the microfibre cloth or very soft tissue. Never a problem with cleaning my iMac screen, iPad screen, or my iPhone screen. I would not use water on your iPad screen.
 
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Wando64

macrumors 68020
Jul 11, 2013
2,338
3,109
These are Apple’s instructions for cleaning iPads:
”To clean your iPad, unplug all cables and turn off the iPad (press and hold the Sleep/Wake button, 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 your iPad. iPads have an oleophobic coating on the screen; simply wipe your iPad's screen with a soft, lint-free cloth to remove oil left by your hands.”

 

steve217

macrumors 6502a
Nov 11, 2011
542
844
NC
I use microfiber cloth and a spray bottle of distilled water.

Turn off the ipad, spray and wipe.
 

Wando64

macrumors 68020
Jul 11, 2013
2,338
3,109
Impossible to have it streak free though. Wax on wax off like a car.
Never mind spraying anything.
Just follow Apple’s instructions that I have posted above.

What I do:

- very slightly damp with ordinary water a small corner of a clean microfibre cloth.
- pass this all over the iPad screen
- dry off with the dry part of the cloth.

Never a streak. Never an issue. Perfectly clean every time.
Really, it is just as simple as that.
If your microfibre cloth leaves oily streaks behind it is time to get a new one, or to get your old one properly washed.
 

steve217

macrumors 6502a
Nov 11, 2011
542
844
NC
Impossible to have it streak free though. Wax on wax off like a car.
I'm not spraying it like Round-Up on weeds.

The spray bottle is set at it's finest mist. Spray it from a distance where the cloud just barely settles on the display. Then wipe away the oil with the cloth.

I've had it "streak-free" plenty of times. That is until the next time my oily fingers touch the display.
 

Andeddu

macrumors 68000
Dec 21, 2016
1,798
2,341
You can use a damp cloth with warm water to clean the entire iPad along with the screen. Once you have wiped it clean, use a micro fibre cloth to dry the residual water to remove the streaks.
 

DeepSix

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 4, 2022
863
942
Never mind spraying anything.
Just follow Apple’s instructions that I have posted above.

What I do:

- very slightly damp with ordinary water a small corner of a clean microfibre cloth.
- pass this all over the iPad screen
- dry off with the dry part of the cloth.

Never a streak. Never an issue. Perfectly clean every time.
Really, it is just as simple as that.
If your microfibre cloth leaves oily streaks behind it is time to get a new one, or to get your old one properly washed.
I'm not spraying it like Round-Up on weeds.

The spray bottle is set at it's finest mist. Spray it from a distance where the cloud just barely settles on the display. Then wipe away the oil with the cloth.

I've had it "streak-free" plenty of times. That is until the next time my oily fingers touch the display.

I've always done that when cleaning monitors and TVs and it ended up turning in a 2 hour session of lots of water used because i have to keep cleaning over and over and over again and literally 4 clothes and scrubbing the screens down like a stove countertop. And they would still leave streaks and smears after! Drives me insane.
 

Wando64

macrumors 68020
Jul 11, 2013
2,338
3,109
I've always done that when cleaning monitors and TVs and it ended up turning in a 2 hour session of lots of water used because i have to keep cleaning over and over and over again and literally 4 clothes and scrubbing the screens down like a stove countertop. And they would still leave streaks and smears after! Drives me insane.
I am hearing you.
I’ve told you what I do, which incidentally is exactly the same as Apple recommends.
It takes you one minute to try.

I don’t think my microfibre cloth is magical, nor my water or my iPad.
 
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