iPad Air iPad Air 4 screen damaged due to 64% isopropyl alcohol

[JamesMay82]

Anti-bacterial soap—of any kind—is bad for YOU as well as for our health/environment. It’s using triclosan, an actual antibiotic, and is encouraging the growth and evolution of antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria. You don’t actually NEED anti-bacterial soap…just plain old soap and water will kill bacteria, viruses, etc. Since iPhones are basically highly water-resistant at this point, you can fully wash them under the faucet with soap and water, if so inclined. I use a hot (hot) sponge with dish soap and water, and then a final wipe with just very hot water to remove any residue. I do this with my iPad as well (though not under a faucet!), just the sponge + soap + water.

Yes I’ve read that about anti bac soap… I also use a baby wipe,or one of my wife’s cucumber face wipes as well and then microfibre.. ha not sure what the cucumber face wipes do to the screen but let’s pretend they kill microorganisms 😂

 

[ian87w]

I would use at least 70%, and plain isopropyl alcohol, without any perfume or anything. Or use those alcohol swabs. Never put anything with lotion etc on a gadget screen.

 

[anonymous5455]

I would use at least 70%, and plain isopropyl alcohol, without any perfume or anything. Or use those alcohol swabs. Never put anything with lotion etc on a gadget screen.

I bought 99.98% pure isopropyl alcohol and wiped my iPad screen with it and there still no improvement. The screen feels like sandpaper when I use it.

 

[anonymous5455]

kits for restoring the oleophobic coating are available. The procedure is quite easy but includes normally a ”resting”/reconstitution-interval of at least 12 hours.

I've heard people complaining that these oleophobic coatings only last 3 up to 7 days.

 

[anonymous5455]

There’s absolutely no reason to use alcohol wipes on your iPad. Just water and a microfiber cloth. Any concerns about “bacteria these days” is also irrelevant. COVID isn’t bacteria and spread through touching infected surfaces is one of the least likely means of transmission. COVID is primarily respiratory driven. Plus, bacteria is everywhere. And lots of it is good. Your body doesn’t want or need a sterile environment.

In my case my iPad stunk of nail polish. I tried to clean it with disinfectant wipes to no avail. Only after I cleaned it with isopropyl alcohol did the smell disappear. What would you recommend in the place of isopropyl alcohol in that situation?

 

[anonymous5455]

I've decided to get it repaired via my Applecare+ coverage. Anyone thinking of cleaning your iPad screen just don't do it. Just throw it in the bin, or sell it to someone else so they can deal with it. ??

 

[ignatius345]

Yes but they say a clean microfibres cloth can pick up most bacteria I believe. That said I’ve become a bit OCD with my phone and actually washed it under the tap with anti bac hand soap if someone’s touched my phone.. and then dried with a micro fibre

I will say this: people throw around "OCD" quite freely these days, but I think you're using it accurately.

 

[spiderman0616]

OP: You’ve now worried so much about dirt and germs on your iPad that you’ve possibly damaged your iPad. Your anxiety about this is causing you to do unreasonable things to keep it clean. I would suggest two things: 1) Stop. 2) Go talk to someone about this. Seriously.

 

[UltimateSyn]

OP: You’ve now worried so much about dirt and germs on your iPad that you’ve possibly damaged your iPad. Your anxiety about this is causing you to do unreasonable things to keep it clean. I would suggest two things: 1) Stop. 2) Go talk to someone about this. Seriously.

I'm confused by this reaction - all OP did was try to clean their iPad screen using what they believed to be a supported product / solution?

 

[spiderman0616]

I'm confused by this reaction - all OP did was try to clean their iPad screen using what they believed to be a supported product / solution?

Because I used to fret about things like this too and it’s just not worth it. Wiping down an iPad with alcohol every time a speck of dirt or dust hits it is not even close to necessary. That’s a pretty harsh chemical to use on really intricately manufactured hardware.

Slightly damp microfiber or a clean cotton T shirt is all you need to clean the screen of a phone, tablet, or computer off. If anyone is that worried about germs being in their devices, I hope they never touch their cell phones, shoes, keys, or anything else after leaving the house for any period of time. I’d be worried a lot more about those items being dirty than an iPad screen.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Because I used to fret about things like this too and it’s just not worth it. Wiping down an iPad with alcohol every time a speck of dirt or dust hits it is not even close to necessary. That’s a pretty harsh chemical to use on really intricately manufactured hardware.

Slightly damp microfiber or a clean cotton T shirt is all you need to clean the screen of a phone, tablet, or computer off. If anyone is that worried about germs being in their devices, I hope they never touch their cell phones, shoes, keys, or anything else after leaving the house for any period of time. I’d be worried a lot more about those items being dirty than an iPad screen.

Oh sure, I'm certainly not arguing that anything more than a damp microfiber is required. That's all I use to clean my screens - anything else and I'm worried it'll damage the coating. But OP gave no indication that this was some sort of obsessive, repetitive behavior.

All they said was that they tried to clean their screen, which is a perfectly reasonable action, and they followed Apple's instructions on how to do that to a T. Well, at least they thought they did... I just think telling someone to seek help because they tried to clean a screen once (and attempted to follow the manufacturer's instructions while doing so) is a little overly judgmental / reactionary. And their actions were certainly not "unreasonable" given what they understood from Apple's documentation on the matter:

"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."

How to clean your Apple products - Apple Support

Get recommendations and guidelines for cleaning your Mac, iPad, iPhone, Apple Vision Pro, display, or peripheral device.

support.apple.com

 

[E.Lizardo]

the lable says " Anti Bacterial Lotion " that usually means there is more then just alcohol in the mix,
that probably damaged the screen.

Also a possibly important term on the table is "ACTIVE" ingredients.