Isopropyl okay to use on MacBook screen?

Question

I've always used a mixture of isopropyl alcohol and distilled water to clean my computer screens (50% water and 50% * 70% isopropyl). From what I understand, these are exactly the same ingredients used in most commercial screen cleaners, perhaps even more diluted.

I recently used this solution to wipe off my 2010 MacBook Pro screen, and there don't seem to be any problems, but this support page explicitly says not to use isopropyl. Now I'm worried that I might have inadvertently damaged something. I'm also concerned because I once managed to dissolve the surface rubber lining of one of my mice with the isopropyl solution, and the MacBook Pro display has a thin rubber bezel keeping the glass in place.

Why would Apple single out isopropyl on their support page? Should I be concerned?

Answer 1

Many reputable places recommend a 50/50 mix like you are doing. Apple's screens are manufactured in the same plant that other large brands' LCDs are, so I would assume it's relatively safe - though it may void your warranty if they can prove you used isopropyl against their wishes.

Most likely they just want you to buy their microfiber screen cleaning cloth. The cloths are good, but I don't know how much they retail for. I work at a University that has a few Mac labs and we have about 100 of them laying around so I've never had to find out. :)