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How-to: Keep your Apple products clean

Let’s face it, after using your Apple products all day long, chances are they will get dirty, be it from finger prints being left on iOS devices and laptops or grease marks left on the keyboard. In this how-to article we will discuss how to clean your Apple products.

Currently, Apple only sells the Moshi TeraGlove to clean your devices, which includes a microfiber glove and a spray bottle. Walking around in the Apple Retail Store, you can usually find specialists with a microfiber cloth and either using the Bausch & Lomb Cleaning Spray or the Whoosh Screen Shine Spray.

First we will discuss some best practices for cleaning Apple products, before getting into the nitty-gritty details per product and accessories.

These tips apply to any Apple product. Generally speaking, use a soft, lint-free cloth or a microfiber cloth. When it comes to cleaning the screens of Apple products, think about how you would clean a pair of glasses. Do not use abrasive clothes, towels, or paper towels on the devices. As always, make sure to keep liquids away from the products and do not spray the cleaner directly onto the product, instead spray it on the cloth. Also, do not use aerosol sprays, window cleaners, household cleaners, cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, compressed air, hair dryers, solvents, or abrasives on your products. When cleaning the products make sure that the device is unplugged from any external power source, is free of any cables, is turned off and out of its case. Avoid getting the cleaning solution in any openings on the device.

Now we will discuss how to clean the iPhone, iPhone cases, the iPad, iPad cover/cases, the Macs, Mac peripherals, Apple Watch, and Apple Watch bands.

To clean the iPhone, first make sure the phone is off. Then use a slightly damp microfiber cloth to remove ink, dyes, makeup, dirt, food, oils and lotions on the phone. To get rid of fingerprints, wipe the front screen with a microfiber cloth. You do not need to wet the cloth to get rid of fingerprints because of its oleophobic coating, which repels oil. If you clean your screen with an abrasive type of cloth, this will diminish the effectiveness of the oleophobic coating and could potentially scratch the glass. To clean the Home Button, just wipe it with a microfiber cloth and this will allow Touch ID to work. Unlike the other iPhones, the SIM card tray slot on the 5C is notorious for getting dirty. To remove the dirt use a microfiber cloth and place a tiny amount of rubbing alcohol on it. Then gently wipe the dirt away from the opening.

Apple makes three different types of cases for the iPhone: SiliconeLeather, and iPhone Smart Battery Case (reviewed here) and each one of them has slightly different cleaning instructions. For all of the cases, take the phone out before cleaning it. The Silicone case and Smart Battery Case are very similar to clean due to the fact that they are made out of the same materials. Use a slightly damp microfiber cloth to wipe the outside of the case. The inside of the Silicone case can also be wiped down with a slightly damp microfiber cloth, but it isn’t recommended to use a wet one on the iPhone Smart Battery Case. Instead for the inside, use a dry microfiber cloth without any liquid or cleaning products. The Leather case is different to clean due to the fact it is made out of natural leather. The color of it will change due to oils from your skin, direct sunlight, makeup, humidity, intense sunlight, dyed materials like dark jeans, and from cleaning it. If you choose to clean the Leather case, use warm water and mild hand soap on a clean cloth. Using leather cleaners and conditioners will change the color of the leather.

To clean the iPad, first make sure the iPad is off. Since the iPad has an oleophobic coating on the screen, use a microfiber cloth to get rid of fingerprints or oil left from your hands.

Apple has made a variety of different covers and cases for the iPads over the years. They are made out of polyurethane, silicone, and leather. To clean the polyurethane Smart Case (available for second, third and fourth generation iPad), the polyurethane Smart Cover (available for all iPads) and the Silicone Case (available for iPad Mini 4 and iPad Pro), use a slightly damp microfiber cloth to wipe the front and inside of it to remove any dirt. To clean the leather Smart Cover (available for second, third and fourth generation iPad) and the leather Smart Case (available for first, second and third generation iPad Mini, iPad Air, and iPad Air 2), use warm water and mild hand soap on a clean cloth. The color of the leather will change due to oils from your skin, direct sunlight, makeup, humidity, intense sunlight, and from cleaning it. As an added extra benefit, the inside’s of the iPad Smart Covers have a microfiber lining. Fold the cover as if you are going to use it as a stand and wipe that across the screen.

To clean Macs, first make sure they are turned off and not connected to the power source. To clean the outside, use a damp microfiber cloth. (There is a tiny black cloth that is included inside the box with the brief instructions). When cleaning the screen, spray the cloth with water and only use water. If you spray the screen first as opposed to the cloth, the spray could drip inside the display and cause damage.

To clean the Magic MouseMagic TrackpadApple MouseMagic Keyboard, Wireless Keyboard, and Wired Keyboardfirst disconnect them from the computers and remove the batteries (if they have them). Use a microfiber cloth that is sprayed with water to clean the outside of them. To clean the scroll bar on the Apple Mouse, hold it upside down and roll the ball vigorously while cleaning it which will help loosen any particles that might have got stuck there. To disinfect them use Lysol Wipes or Clorox Kitchen Disinfecting Wipes. When doing so, make sure the wipes are not excessively damp and you might need to squeeze the wipe to remove excess dampness.

To clean the Apple Watch, use a lightly dampened cloth with water to clean the display and sides since it is water-resistant. Then dry it with a dry cloth. On occasions the Digital Crown could get stuck and not turn smoothly. If that does happen rinse the Digital Crown with tap water. Apple expects the Sport and Leather bands to deform and become discolored over time, but they are able to be cleaned. To clean the Sport BandsMilanese Loop and Link Bracelet wipe down the band with a lightly damp cloth with water and then dry them with a dry cloth. To clean the leather watch bands, (Leather LoopModern BuckleClassic Buckle) use a microfiber cloth. You can use a lightly damp cloth with water, but since they aren’t water-resistant, it could cause discoloration.


 

That is how you clean all of your Apple products. Make sure to follow these guidelines to keep your Apple products looking in pristine mint condition.

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Comments

  1. Diane Saccone - 8 years ago

    to clean apple keyboard use mr clean magic eraser

  2. Brandon Trout - 8 years ago

    I typically use Lens Wipes though somewhere I heard those can also damage the coating. I use them on my laptop screen anytime but on my touch devices only when absolutely necessary. What are your thoughts on Lens Wipes?

  3. acjeffers - 8 years ago

    For years (depending on length of ownership), I’ve used the Lysol/Clorox wipes on my Mac screens, iPhones, iPads and even on my Apple Watch, followed by a microfiber cloth to buff- no issues. Knock on wood.

  4. Abedoss - 8 years ago

    I use baby wet towel wipes and it works like magic.

  5. PhilBoogie - 8 years ago

    And to clean a brown Windows box, simply Get A Mac.