February 7th, 2007
How to Clean your LCD Screen
By Yan Fortin
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
In my day to day job as a system administrator, people come and see me every day to ask me all kinds of questions related to electronic devices. They assume that since I’m into the I.T. business, I’m some kind of omnipotent god when it comes to gadgets. It’s not because we work with computers all day that we necessarily know how a certain model of cell phone works… or how to clean an LCD display. Yes, someone came to see me a few days ago asking me how they should be cleaning their LCD screen. Since I didn’t have the slightest idea about the most effective way to do this, I did a bit of research by visiting the websites of a few LCD manufacturers. Here is the result of my investigation:
You’ve probably seen some of those expensive LCD cleaning solutions in computer stores right? Think you need those to properly clean your screen? The answer to this is : absolutely not. Mixing up your own cleaning solution is very easy and will actually save you quite a few bucks. Here’s an article showing you the proper way to clean your LCD screen with home products.
Read the complete article over here.
Rick Damiani says:
I’ve been using a folded damp paper towel for years and have had excelent results on all the displays I’ve done it on.
Note: A ‘damp’ paper towel is one that has been soaked in water and wrung out until water won’t come out of it any more. The film will evaporate in less than a minute if you do it right.
February 8th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Mike says:
agree with Rick - I jave used a damp paper towel, or sometimes a lens cleaning cloth and have had no problems.
Just make sure the monitor is turned OFF when you do it
February 8th, 2007 at 4:01 am
ed3 says:
Blue “Shop Towels” lightly spritzed with Windex-like-cleaner works for me.
February 8th, 2007 at 5:31 am
Yan Fortin says:
Don’t use Windex! it contain ammonia which can degrade your LCD panel and damage the thin film that goes over it..
February 8th, 2007 at 5:35 am
David Johnston says:
Thanks for the tips. I have some of that cleaning solution you get from stores, but since I don’t smudge up my monitor I only use it occasionally. Now when I eventually do run out I’ll just refill it myself
February 8th, 2007 at 7:20 am
Dman says:
Dude!
Alcohol (as the article suggests using) is BAD for any type of plastic. It dries it out and can cause cracking, cloudiness and discoloration.
I have been using Endust for Electronics to clean LCDs for years. It’s cheap, it works well, and it won’t jack up your display like Windex or alcohol.
C-Ya
February 8th, 2007 at 2:27 pm
Yan Fortin says:
Dman: Why do most manufacturers recommend doing this then? A lot of LCD cleaning solution on the market contain isopropyl alcool also..
Look around the web, you’ll see.
February 8th, 2007 at 4:48 pm
Dman says:
I don’t know.. perhaps they want to sell you a new one?
Don’t take my word for it though, try an experiment for yourself. Take a clear piece of acrylic or lexan or plexiglass and clean it with alcohol for a month or two. It eventually becomes cloudy looking and cracked. Most manufacturers warn specifically against Windex though, so I’m not really sure what is going on here. Perhaps just ignorance?
Those guys at the articles website deleted my post completely though while leaving such gems as “cheese grater” and “bbq scraper” up as suggestions. Guess they didn’t like their own ignorance pointed out.
I swear I’m no freakin Endust for Electronics employee though. I honestly use that and a nice soft rag to clean all my displays.
February 9th, 2007 at 10:42 am
Dman says:
They said my old post got deleted by accident. Happens sometimes.
Glad to hear they accept all opinions…
My Reply:
Okee Dokee.
Sorry to leave a big rant and sound like a jerk if it was just an accidental deletion. Heck, I accidentally double posted my reply too!
Glad to hear it’s all good and you guys still accept all viewpoints. I dig the site and I was initially quite bummed at the implications.
The percentage of alcohol going down to 35% or so does sound like it would be diluted enough not to cause problems, however I’m stickin to my old tried and true Endust for Electronics.
Thanks for your reply and for makin a great site!
February 9th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Skul says:
This is probably late in the game, however, the cleaning fluid for many high-end amateur telescopes is around 15% isoprop, and 85% de-min water. Many of us add a drop or two of Dawn dish liquid per gallon.
February 9th, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Jonathan says:
From my experance the problem is usually dust.
A silicone treated dust cloth will usually clean any tv or computer screen excellently!
Also silicone cloths generate static electricy so they should not be used for cleaning exposed electronic hardware!
February 10th, 2007 at 11:20 am
ed3 says:
Of course, you could just get an LCD monitor with a proper piece of glass. Not practical for laptops, but I find desktop LCD screens with a glass protection cover have greater image quality, not to mention much easier to maintain.
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July 26th, 2007 at 5:07 am
GeekTips: Computer Fun | Techie Diva says:
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February 6th, 2008 at 11:09 pm