How To Clean Your LCD Screen

clean your lcd screenAll types of equipment have LCD screens nowadays. GPS displays, laptops, netbooks, tablets, regular computers, vehicle dash boards, are just a few, but most of us use or view several on a daily basis. Also, LCD TV’s are quickly becoming staple in every home in the country. Regardless of where it is though, all of these screens require cleaning due to a build-up of dirt, dust and fingerprints over time. We use them everyday, and many require us to touch them with our hands, so over time, every last one will need some attention. Most will benefit from regular cleanings in order to keep them looking nice and allow them to remain functional, and as an added benefit, this also helps to prevent the transfer of germs and viruses too.

WHAT IS LCD?

A little detail about what actually comes together to make one of these screens will help you realize how sensitive they are. Although most are pretty durable in general, there is a lot going on behind the scenes, and unless you can afford to go out and buy a new one, it is a good idea to learn how to clean it properly. LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. Basically, these monitors are of layer of crystal molecules sandwiched underneath one or more layers of plastic.  It is due to these properties that we are able to view an incredibly sharp picture at almost any angle, but it also makes the surface extremely susceptible to damage. Manufacturers are constantly improving upon the quality of plastic polymers used, but LCD remains less durable than glass. For this reason scratching is common when treated improperly, and this can result in permanent damage. Don’t just spray it and wipe with paper towels like you did with your ancient CRT Monitor because a single lapse in judgement can have lasting results, and using better tools will actually cost less, and make the job easier.

Because LCD Screens are so sensitive, special care and proper supplies are recommended when cleaning. You need to make sure that the cleaning product you use won’t end up damaging the screen in the process, and you should also be careful not to pay too much, or get stuck with low quality products. We all know that LCD monitors are fairly expensive to replace, so you will want to make sure that you are going about it in the correct manner in order to minimize the possibility of damage. Don’t let yourself be haunted by a bad decision that results in ruining your screen forever.

Cleaning this type of surface can be rather easy if you are using the right tool, and it should not matter what type of grime is coating your screen. Working with something that isn’t ideal for the task can make it frustrating or dangerous due to the sensitive electronics behind the screen, but when you do it our way, you will clean and polish the surface in a matter of seconds. If your shiny new equipment now has a dirty screen and you aren’t sure what to use when cleaning it, keep reading to discover a safe and effective method that is also highly affordable.

Cleaning An LCD TV, Computer Monitor, Or Anything Similar.

One of the most important rules to remember when you clean your LCD screen is that you do not just pick up any type of substance like dish soap or blue liquids meant for window cleaning. Just because it looks like glass does not mean that glass cleaner is safe to use on it. Likewise with rough cotton rags, tissues and toilet paper, it is important to select the right tool for wiping in order to prevent scratches to the surface. Detergents will often damage the surface of your LCD screen because they are harsh in nature, and they contain chemicals that are not compatible with the materials. Even too much water can fry your device, so being careful is the most important step in this process.

WHAT TO USE

When choosing your tool(s), you basically want to go with products that you know are safe for the plastic, but also ones that will not that affect the anti-glare coating on the LCD screen. A specially designed cleaning cloth is one of the best tools to use, and can do a great job without anything additional added. Certain people will feel the need to also apply some sort of soap or cleanser, which is fine, but this can be a bit more risky, and in most cases, it is not actually needed. If you do choose to use some sort of clensing liquid, it is key to be sure it does not have ammonia or alcohol in it.

Other substances can be dangerous too, but both of these chemicals are like kryptonite for your LCD monitor. Not only will they be mediocre for removing the dirt, the added moisture will jeopardize the electronics, and over time they will eat away at the anti-glare finish, and reduce brightness. Because static build up on a clean screen will only attract new dirt, using a cleaner that does not promote it’s production will make your effort last longer, and decrease the overall  frequency of cleanings.  A mild, all purpose, solution like Quick ‘n Brite would be the best kind to use, but as previously stated, adding moisture should be limited, and introducing cleansers should be for extreme cases only.

That’s because the cloth you choose will be way more important than any soap you might choose. A high quality microfiber cloth will work dry to clean most screen dirt and dust, but lower quality knock offs usually require help. When you choose a better cloth, water is the only detergent you will need for most stubborn grime. Fingerprints, spots, streaks and dust should wipe away with just a bone dry cloth.  If you choose the right cloth, you won’t really need anything else except for extreme cases, or the occasional thorough cleaning.

You can not use paper towels or old cotton rags if you want to have good results and prevent scratching at the same time. These materials are both highly abrasive, and neither is really that good at lifting up dirt. If you use one of these, your monitor will still be kind of dirty, and you run the risk of scratching or leaving behind lint. The best type of cloth available for thoroughly cleaning delicate surfaces is a  microfiber cloth. These revolutionary cloths are perfectly suited for cleaning your LCD screen, but quality varies. We carry top quality cloths at affordable prices, and we guarantee them to work well and last for a long time. Choose the official Screen Cleaning Cloth, or select a slightly different one based upon your individual needs.

Microfiber Cloths are a state of the art product, specially designed to be totally non-abrasive. The ones designed for monitor screens have a premium suede finish, and most of the smaller options don’t even have sewn edges. Instead, they are thermally welded in order to further avoid scratching your delicate surfaces. Due to the superior fabrics we carry, most people will never need any additional cleaner, and a single cloth will be good for thousands of uses.  Use one to make easier than ever to clean any LCD screen, and stop worrying about harming the surface by accident. When you choose one of our cloths to clean your monitor or TV, it will look like new because you actually polish the surface as you eliminate all dirt.

HOW TO CLEAN

REGULAR DRY CLEANING

  • For most screen dirt, you will only need a dry cloth. Using one without additional moisture or soap is very effective, and it will only become necessary to wet or use a cleaning agent in extreme cases.
  • Some people prefer a small wipe, and others like to go with a large cloth that can be folded into a soft pad.
  • Regular smudges, fingerprints and dust can be wiped away in a single pass with just dry screen cloth. Simply wipe your screen with one continuous motion to reveal a cleaned surface.
  • A top to bottom or outside to inside action is usually best to increase speed and accuracy. Regular monitors should take seconds to clean, but your TV might take a whole minute.
  • Every last particle will wipe up and be collected by the advanced fibers. Since there is no moisture necessary, and because microfiber never scratches, you are not taking any risks and you never have to worry about damage when cleaning your screen.
  • After a cleaning like this, you should not need to launder, so fold up and let it sit until you need it again.

DAMP, HEAVY DUTY CLEANING

Some of you really abuse your screens, and other times it is just the work environment that leads to excessively dirty screens. If you have food particles, thick film, loads of dirt or any other tough sort of build up on your device then you will need to use something more than a dry cloth. In these cases, getting the cloth damp, or using a safe cleaner can improve your ability to clean by supercharging your cloth.

Simply get the cloth wet with warm water. Once it is wet, ring it out a bit so that it is left damp. Now just wipe your screen clean. The addition of water will allow you to cut through stubborn build up and remove the nastiest of grime. For most cases you only need to use water, but for really tough or dried on stains, use some Quick’n Brite on the cloth first. This safe and natural cleaner will go one step further to break down any dirtiness to make it even easier to wipe away. You only need a small amount to be effective, and since it is all natural, you don’t run any risk based upon the ingredients. You will still need to be a bit careful because you are adding moisture, but for the most part, this is a very safe cleaner to use on any type of screen.

A properly dampened cloth should leave very little moisture behind, if any, and it should disappear in a couple of second to leave behind a clean screen that is free of lint, spots, streaks or any trace of dirt. Our premium cloths will even remove 99% of the dirt and germs you can’t even see. It is impossible for them to scratch, and because they polish as they clean, your monitor or TV will look like new. Eventually your cloth will get dirty, and you can rinse it clean under hot water, machine wash or hand wash. Launder these cloths hundreds of times before replacement is needed. Get yours Today.

LCD Cleaning Cloth

All Microfiber Cloths

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  1. Yesterday I had to clean up dust from the INSIDE of my LCD screen. Somehow it got beneath the LCD surface and was very visible on a white background. I had to open up the screen itself and remove it. Here are my steps:

     

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