This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
After about three months with a thin keyboard cover on my MacBook, the screen showed a faint keyboard-shaped pattern that a quick wipe would not remove. Clew Multi for Mac, a water-based screen cleaner, got rid of the oily film and almost all of the marks with a spray, a 10-second wait and a dry tissue. It left practically no streaks. It cost ¥1,897 for 100 ml at the time of recording, which felt pricey until I saw the result.
What I tested
- Clew Multi for Mac cleaner, 100 ml, bought with my own money
- The problem: marks on my MacBook screen after three months with a Soonjet ultra-thin keyboard cover (¥1,251)
- The routine from the instructions: mask the gaps, spray directly on the screen, wait 10 to 20 seconds, wipe gently with a dry tissue. I did two rounds.
What I found
- The mist spreads wider than you expect and some of it flies off the screen. Mask the gaps, use less than I did, and do it away from other electronics.
- After the first wipe the screen was dramatically cleaner, but a faint keyboard pattern was still visible.
- After a second round, a quick wipe with a tissue left the screen deep black with almost no streaks.
- The marks were mostly grime, not scratches. What remains is barely noticeable with the screen on.
- Compared with a microfiber cloth or alcohol, which I avoid because it may harm the coating, Clew cleaned far better. The label says it is mostly water. I cannot verify long-term effects on the coating myself.
- The keyboard cover is great at keeping dust out, but it clearly makes the screen dirtier, because the cover presses finger oils onto the display when the lid is closed.
Who it is for
- Good fit: MacBook or iPhone users with stubborn finger oil on the screen, people who want to avoid alcohol on the display coating, and anyone using a keyboard cover.
- Skip it: if a dry microfiber cloth already keeps your screen clean, you may not need a dedicated cleaner.
If you care more about protecting the screen than about keeping dust off the keys, consider leaving the keyboard cover off.
Watch the review
The video is in Japanese, and focus was difficult in this shoot, but the before and after difference is clear. Chapters: 00:58 checking the marks, 01:29 first spray and wipe, 02:00 second round, 02:40 why keyboard covers dirty the screen, 03:26 what impressed me, 04:15 verdict.
Limitations
This is one MacBook and one cleaning session. I could not check whether the cleaner affects the anti-reflective coating over time. Prices are Amazon Japan prices in yen at the time of recording, and Clew may not be sold outside Japan.
Products
Clew Multi for Mac screen cleaner, 100 ml: on Amazon Japan
Soonjet ultra-thin keyboard cover for MacBook: on Amazon Japan
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
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This review is also available in Japanese.