Detaching the power adapter is not an essential steps if you are only using a dry cloth to clean the screen, but it is still advisable since the friction produced by the cloth could still interact with and damage the adapter.
Optical microfiber cloth is ideal, but just about any cloth will do as long as it is soft, lint-free, and static-resistant. Stay away from abrasive cloths, dish towels, and paper towels. You may need to buff the screen for five minutes or more before all fingerprints and smudges have been removed. Hold the computer by the upper edge or by the keyboard to prevent yourself from accidentally re-smudging the screen.
Only use soft cloth. A static-free, fiber-free cloth works best, but most non-abrasive cloths will also work well. Do not, however, use paper towels, dish towels, or other rough cloths. Do not drench the cloth in water. A soaked cloth is more likely to drip excess water into the machine, which could cause serious damage to your computer. If you accidentally use too much water, wring the cloth out well until it is only slightly moist. For best results, use distilled water instead of tap water. Tap water contains minerals, and some of these minerals can be conductive. As a result, tap water is more likely to cause a short than distilled water. Do not, under any circumstance, spray water directly onto the screen of the MacBook Pro. [1] X Research source This significantly increases your odds of getting water into the machine, thereby making a short more likely. Only use water if you apply it with a soft cloth.
Hold the screen toward the very top or very bottom to avoid re-smudging it as you work. You may need to pass over the screen multiple times before all the smudges have been removed. You may also need to re-dampen the cloth as you work, depending on how many passes over the screen you need to make.
You should not proceed without detaching the computer. These components could get damaged if exposed to the wet cleanser. You could also get a slight shock if moisture reaches these electrical components as you work, especially if the power adapter is plugged in.
Spray a small amount of this cleaner onto your soft cloth. Do not drench the cloth. It should only feel a little moist to the touch, and you should not be able to squeeze any liquid out of it. Only use soft, lint-free, and static-free cloths. Lens cloths work especially well, but any microfiber cloth will usually do the trick. Avoid paper towels, dish towels, terry cloth towels, and other abrasive fabrics. Only use cleaning products specifically created and sold for use with LCD screens. [2] X Research source Do not use all-purpose cleaners, alcohol-based products, bleach, aerosol sprays, solvents, or abrasives. All of these products could seriously damage the screen. In extreme cases, the screen may even break completely. Do not spray the cleaning solution directly on the screen. Doing so increases the likelihood of getting moisture into the openings at the bottom or along the sides. Moisture should not be allowed through these openings, since it can short out your computer if it gets inside.
Hold the computer screen near the very top or very bottom to reduce the risk of accidentally smudging it as you work. Continue buffing the computer screen as necessary until all smudges are gone, reapplying cleaning solution as necessary. This may take several passes over the screen and several minutes to complete.
Moisture from the wipes can get into the computer, even if you work carefully. In the event that this happens, it is important that the power adapter have been previously removed. Prior removal of these electrical components will prevent them from getting damaged and will also prevent you from getting shocked.
Electronic wipes contain just enough solution to clean the screen without soaking it. The solution used is also formulated to work safely with electronic products. Make sure that any wipes you use have a non-alcohol formula, since alcohol could damage the screen.
