Can nano-texture screen get damaged from 70% isopropyl alcohol/rubbing alcohol solution?

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Can nano-texture screen get damaged from 70% isopropyl alcohol/rubbing alcohol solution?

I have a 2025 MacBook Pro, with a nano-texture screen, that's been doing okay. I've been using the special cloth that came with and not had any smudges until a few days ago. I tried following the instructions that came with it, but I fear I have missed up, because it says "70% isopropyl alcohol solution", but I could not find any bottle of cleaner like that in my place even though I thought I'd gotten some, and so put a bit of rubbing alcohol from my medicine cabinet on since it says 70 percent IPA on the bottle. But to the fear, it seemed to make the smudges work, and even when I used the dry cloth (after hand-washing and drying it overnight) the next day, some of the smudges seemed to stay. Is it possibly damage to the glass? (I also asked this on another site, and mainly was told I'm an idiot for ever using alcohol on a screen even when it was in the instructions.)

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 15.5

Posted on Aug 17, 2025 11:43 AM

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Answer 1

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neuroanatomist

Level 9

52,773 points

Aug 17, 2025 12:18 PM in response to Rocketship01

That does rather look like a cleaning solution smear/smudge. The active ingredient in ‘rubbing alcohol’ is 70% isopropyl alcohol, but many brands also contain various additives (fragrances, etc.). That’s why Apple states 70% IPA and not rubbing alcohol.

In your place, I’d head to the drugstore and get something called 70% isopropyl alcohol or if all they have is Rubbing Alcohol then look at the Inactive Ingredients section of the label and make sure it lists only purified water. Then try again.

Make sure you’re just moistening (not soaking) the Apple cloth and rub gently.

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