I have two bad habits - one related to my eyeglasses, one related to my phone. The “screen wipes” or “lens wipes” you can buy - well, they’re expensive. And it’s just a wipe soaked in isopropanol.
So for some time - rather than buy expensive wipes, I’ve just been taking my glasses into the lab, grabbing the isopropanol bottle, giving the lenses a squirt, then wiping down with kimwipes. Works great with glasses - never a scratch, good cleaning.
I cautiously tried it with my phone when I first got it. Again, worked fine. I did it probably a dozen times over the last six months.
I must have been a bit over-zealous with the isopropanol on my phone the last time though. I suspect some leaked through the casing. That day, I noticed major screen flaws (though the phone still worked fine, touch-screen and all.) There was a very drippy looking pattern on the screen that was significantly brighter than the rest of the screen.
Two days out now, the “drippy” bright pattern is gone. But there are still 5-6 paint-splatter looking spots that are bizarrely bright. I only notice it on my phone when I load an app (Facebook, for example) that has a mostly white background.
Most of the bright pattern went away. Will these bright spots as well? I bought the crazy stupid phone replacement plan from the Verizon seller; if they’re not going to go away I’m tempted to just junk the phone, claim it was stolen or throw it in the wash and ask for a new one. The Verizon “franchise” or whatever it is - not Verizon itself - had a super crazy plan that covered all sorts of things beyond simple defect. I might be able to find a way that the replacement plan covers me.
But if the spots will fade I’ll just wait.
Well, GameHat, after 124 views and no comments, I guess ideas are a little thin on the ground…
I can suggest only two things: that isopropanol is generally not recommended for cleaning touch screens (it can damage the oleophobic coating); and if you want to try to draw any remaining liquid out, take out anything that’s removable (like the battery) and cover the phone in dry, uncooked rice. Leave it for about a day.
I don’t have any suggestions to add other than just waiting it out a little longer. Another week can’t hurt (aside from annoyance) if you have a replacement plan, just say you dropped it. And - try wiping it on your pants like everyone else from now on…
If you must use wipes for whatever reason, go to the drug store and get a box of alcohol swabs for giving injections. They’re cheap, about $5 a box, and they’re not drippy.
Me, I use counter wipes that I have at work for cleaning my desk. I also have a stock of screen protector sheets on hand to change as necessary.
the concentration may be too aggressive on some materials, maybe 30 to 50% might clean just fine.
paper is abrasive and Kimwipes are for sure. not that i haven’t used them myself on glasses.
put solvent on cloth wipe then use. clean without flooding. slower but safer.
with glasses it is good to run under water to wash off particles that might be abrasive. then wash or wipe.
with screens i would take a wet folded wipe and lightly drag over screen with the only pressure being the fold. this hopefully picks up abrasive dust on the wipe without rubbing. then wet another wipe to clean off other things.
Yeah, I don’t think the isopropanol was a problem for the screen. And kimwipes are designed to be used on lenses, and the problem isn’t a scratch.
It’s that liquid got into/behind the screen through the casing. Thanks for the replies, all, I think I will give it another week and if it persists see if the replacement plan will cover it. It’s a minor annoyance, currently.
I’m still using lab isopropanol on my glasses, though. I have the OTC Walgreens lens cleaning solution and a soft lens cloth at home, but straight IPA and kimwipes still work better (and are free!), heh.
I clean my glasses at work just like the OP. Kimwipes are great! Never a scratch.
My daughter had good luck with the “taking the battery out and leaving the phone in a bowl of uncooked rice” trick when she dropped her phone in water. It really does work.