How to Clean Computer Screens

Cleaning chemicals can damage a monitor.

Computers are an important tool in our everyday lives, and proper care and cleaning will help a computer perform and look better. Computers get dirty, and one of the first places that dirt and dust will accumulate is on your monitor screen. You monitor should be cleaned regularly. Using the right cleaning products and procedures will clean your monitor and avoid damaging the screen.

Things You'll Need

• Lint-free cloth
• Water
• Isopropyl alcohol

Instructions

1. Determine whether your computer screen is glass or plastic. Most older computers and some new ones still have glass panes. If you have an LCD monitor, the cleaning will be more delicate because these screens are plastic.

2. Gently wipe both glass and LCD monitors with a lint-free cloth. Natural fiber or micro-fiber cloths are best because they are less prone to leaving scratches. Wipe away any visible dust and dirt. Be careful not to rub too hard or you may inadvertently rub the dust particles across the screen, leaving tiny scratches.

3. If you are not using a micro-fiber cloth, you will need to either change the cloth often or use the cloth in sections to avoid re-depositing dust onto other areas of the screen.

4. Wipe the screen with a slightly damp cloth. Water is safe on nearly all surfaces in small amounts. Never spray water directly on your monitor screen because this could damage it. Spray or apply a little water to a lint-free cloth and wring it out until the cloth is just damp. Gently clean your monitor using the same procedure as dusting.

5. Never use ammonia-based products such as window cleaner on an LCD monitor. You can apply a small amount of window cleaner to a soft cloth and clean a glass monitor screen, but make sure your screen does not have a special coating or glare-free finish. Ammonia can wear down the finish.

6. Mix one part isopropyl alcohol and one part water to clean very dirty or stained monitor screens. Use the mixture in place of just water to wipe your screen. The cloth should be only slightly damp.

7. Choose a commercially made monitor cleaner. Many home and office supply stores, electronics shops and mass retail stores sell cleaners made for all types of computer screens. Many of the cleaners are sold as a kit with a micro-fiber cloth included.

Tips & Warnings

• Avoid spraying anything directly on a computer screen.

• Never push on or scrub a computer screen; it can cause permanent damage.

• Avoid using the isopropyl alcohol and water mixture too often if you have a glare-resistant screen. Alcohol is a chemical that may, over time, harm the coating on your screen.

References

• Microsoft: How to Clean Your Computer
• Computer Hope: Cleaning the Computer and its Components