Forum: lifehacks.stackexchange.com
Tags: <cleaning><technology><hardware>
Title: Remove oil build-up on the touchpad
Question: Any good ways to remove oil build-up on the touchpad of the laptop?It's always getting oily ( not sure it's oil or not ). Is there any way to avoid or remove it?

Answers:
sents: text: I use windex or any other brand degreaser (not corrosive).If
text: it proves too hard to remove, just keep in mind that sometimes due to heavy use the "shine " on the pad is not grease or dirt, but a pad that got its surface worn out over use the same way mouse buttons or keyboard keys get worn out and shiny.
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/5256/arana
score: 4
sents: text: I've always used rubbing alcohol, but that's out of laziness.
text: Any alcohol based solvent will begin to wear away at the plastic if you use it too frequently.
text: I clean my laptop every few months with 70% Isopropyl Alcohol, and haven't noticed any wear or functionality issues, but just be cautious of it.
text: To clean any salt residue, use water, or something water-based (but only a small amount).
text: I just lightly dampen a cloth and wipe.
text: Never pour water directly onto the surface that you want to clean unless you know for sure that it's waterproof.
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/2797/Carcigenicate
score: 4
sents: text: According to JOFEL (a plastics manufacturer), most laptop trackpads are made from ABS plastic.
text: This is from their website:
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/28103/Clark Aungst
score: 3
sents: text: I use cleaning spray for glasses on a paper towel and it works fine.
text: But as stated by Arana, it can just be that you plastic is worn.
text: It then becomes smooth and shiny.
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/15442/Janw
score: 1
sents: text: As prevention is far better than cure, by personal experience the best solution to an oily touch-pad (or touch-screen) is to avoid having it in the first place.
text: How?
text: Wash your hands before any touch-pad/touch-screen use, but not with soap, you have to use a mild water-detergent solution -- any detergent will do.
text: The reason for this is that most detergents consist of amphiphilic compounds.
text: (Amphiphilic (from the Greek αμφί, amphi: both and φιλíα, philia: love, friendship) is a chemical compound possessing both hydrophilic (water-loving) and lipophilic (fat-loving) properties).
text: Detergent removes any oily traces on your fingers but you have to be a bit cautious when washing your hands because as human skin contains fatty compounds, prolonged exposal to a detergent may wear down your skin.
text: But you can very easily avoid that through the following procedure: Use ¼ of a spoonful of detergent dissolved in a bowl of lukewarm water and bath your fingers in it for about 30 seconds.
text: Then rinse your hands with plenty of water and wipe them up thoroughly with a towel.
text: That’s it, you are done and good to go.
text: Using your touch-pad/touch-screen with your hands cleaned this way never allows any oil buildup on these surfaces and this additionally eliminates any danger of causing any damage to your machine while cleaning it.
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/26057/Costas Triantaphyllou
score: 1
sents: text: Use a soft and non-abrasive cloth for cleaning your laptop.
text: Even paper towels and tissues should be avoided as they contain wood fibers.
text: You can use a clean eyeglass cleaning cloth, though.
text: Interestingly, if youIt is suggested to avoid cleaning the laptop with regular or tap water as it may contain minerals and chemicals.
text: Furthermore, do not use soap solutions, window cleaners, or other similar detergents as they can harm the screen.
text: Ammonia and other strong solvents should also be avoided.
text: If you wish to use liquid cleaners, use Diluted Isopropyl alcohol on a cloth is the best for removing oils and grease.
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/26015/Chawlish Boy
score: 1
sents: text: I had the same problem with my P1 Gen2, i7-9850H
text: (a quite expensive laptop), and had a wide range of discoloration on my touchpad.
text: It seems discoloration but actually it's oil, smeared from your fingers which got deep into the plastic.
text: To remove, use only a detergent like Palmolive OXY (full is about 3 CA$) + water on a clean cotton cloth.
text: I used it as above rubbing firmly for a minute or so and afterwards used the same cloth washed completely just with the water.
text: The detergent + water completely removed the oil left on the trackpad.
text: Now my trackpad is as new.
answer_details: author: lifehacks.stackexchange.com/users/31953/Jann
score: 1

Summary of the answers:
There are few different ways of removing oil build-up from a touchpad, and an alcohol-based solution may work but could wear away the plastic over time. Using a cleaning spray or cloth for glasses may also be effective. Alternatively, you could use a detergent solution with a soft, non-abrasive cloth. Normal soap is not recommended.
The options are to use 70% isopropyl alcohol and water or something water based for any salt residues, to use a spray for cleaning glasses, to avoid paper towels which can be abrasive and to rub with a cloth that has detergent on it. Avoid in future by washing hands with detergent before use.