How to Clean LCD Computer Screens

Dirty LCD computer screens can be very annoying. Dust, dirt, sneeze residue and other assorted gunk can build up on your LCD computer screen, causing a dull look and your images and colors to not display well. Cleaning an LCD computer screen is very simple, but be careful with the types of agents and cloths you use. The only thing worse than a dirty LCD screen is a scratched LCD screen.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer LCD monitor or laptop
• 2 microfiber screen cleaning cloths
• Rubbing alcohol

1. Power down your computer completely, or disconnect the monitor. If the LCD you are cleaning is a television or laptop computer monitor, disconnect it from all power sources, including removing the battery from your laptop computer. Trying to clean, or put anything wet, on an LCD monitor while there is power going to the screen can cause problems, in the form of dead pixels or worse.

2. Take your first microfiber cloth (cloths for the specific purpose of cleaning LCD computer monitors can be purchased at all computer stores or big box stores) and wipe all the dust and dirt from your LCD monitor, always wiping from left to right. Never apply too much pressure. Don't worry if there is junk on your screen that is not coming off easily in this step, you are just trying to get the surface level junk off your monitor.

3. Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol to a second, clean microfiber cloth. You should use just enough rubbing alcohol so that the cloth is slightly wet to the touch, but not so much that it is dripping. You want to make sure the alcohol will not drip onto any of your laptop or LCD computer monitor's other components while you are doing the cleaning.

4. Wipe the screen with your microfiber cloth, again from left to right, applying only a light amount of pressure. If you are using so much pressure that you can feel your LCD computer monitor or laptop screen "giving" at all during the cleaning process, you are using too much pressure. You can always add slightly more rubbing alcohol to your cleaning cloth, and take the time to clean your LCD monitor with a light touch.

5. Dry your LCD computer monitor completely with an unused section of the first dry microfiber cleaning cloth, making sure there is absolutely no wetness from the rubbing alcohol remaining on your screen. Now, reinsert your battery in the laptop, or connect the power to your monitor once again, and you will have a nice clean screen. You will be surprised how much this will improve your overall computing experience.

Tips & Warnings

• Never touch the LCD computer monitor with your bare hands, be it to wipe something off or "point out" a detail to someone else. Standard LCD monitors are not meant to be touched, and the pressure from your finger or the oils on your skin may have negative effects on the LCD screen.