How to Clean Your Monitor: Tips and Tricks for A Spotless Screen

How to Clean Your Monitor: Tips and Tricks for A Spotless Screen

One of computer users’ most common issues is appropriately cleaning the computer screen. It is essential to have a clean screen to gain maximum visibility. 

Cleaning regularly can also help the computer perform at its best, even if it is an economical computer model. The chances of a regularly cleaned computer screen breaking down is relatively low. Despite cleaning being essential to computer usage, many struggles with the same.

People often find it difficult to clean the screens regularly. Some others do not know the suitable cleaning materials for a computer screen. The following article attempts to help those who need proper guidance on making their computer screen spotless without using expensive cleaning items.

How to Clean Your Monitor

How do I Clean My Monitor Without Leaving Marks?

The section below provides step-by-step instructions on how to clean the monitor without leaving marks.

Step 1

Switch off the computer monitor and place it in the direction of natural or artificial light. Placing it in the direction of light enables the user to see the smudges and spots on the screen correctly. If you don’t have enough lighting in the room, you can also use your phone’s flashlight to find the dirt and spots on the screen.

Step 2

Spray a microfiber cloth piece with a cleaning solution or plain water. Make sure not to wet the cloth with too much solution or water. Too much moisture content can leave smudges and streaks on the computer screen. Also, remember not to spray the cleaning solution or water directly onto the screen.

Step 3

Using the sprayed microfiber cloth, clean the computer screen from the top left corner towards the right side. If you use the right amount of solution on the cloth, it will evaporate as soon as you wipe the screen. 

If the solution remains on the screen as streaks, it is because of its high amount. Also, make sure not to apply too much pressure on the screen. You have to use gentle motion and pressure to finish cleaning the screen.

Step 4

Once the wet cleaning is over, you can use a dry microfiber cloth piece to wipe the screen again to dry off any remaining moisture content.

Step 5

Position the computer screen at various angles to check the presence of any streaks or smudges. Looking at an angle onto the screen helps you identify any missed spots.

Step 6

Before turning the computer on, ensure no water or solution content is present on the screen or the other hardware. Experts advise keeping the computer switched off for at least fifteen minutes to dry any remaining moisture content is safe. Switching the computer on without proper drying could lead to potential damage and electrical issues.

How to Clean Your Monitor

Benefits of Cleaning Your Monitor

The benefits of properly cleaning your monitor are:

  • Regular cleaning helps reduce the overheating of the system.
  • The display provides high visibility.
  • Improves the longevity of the computer.
  • The number of repairs and maintenance reduces considerably.
  • A clean and spotless computer has proven to improve the user’s productivity significantly.

What Can I Use to Clean My Flat Screen Monitor?

Paying enough attention while choosing the cleaning materials for your computer monitor is essential. Because it is not ideal to use a single cleaning solution on all kinds of monitors. The suitable cleaning material changes depending on the monitor’s material and build.

For example, you cannot use any powerful cleaning solution on monitors with an LED or LCD. Powerful solutions cause the reflective layer of the LCD and LED screens to get dull. 

Most cleaning solutions contain propylene glycol, ammonia, and acetone, which are harmful to delicate surfaces. Some other chemicals that can be harmful to your computer monitor are:

  • Ethyl acid
  • Ethyl alcohol
  • Methyl chloride
  • Methyl alcohol
  • Toluene 

So, it is advisable for you to go through your monitor’s manual to find the most suitable cleaning materials.

Except for the store-brought professional computer cleaning solutions, some household items generally used to clean monitors are mentioned below. But make sure to use your discretion before using any of these, as some may harm some monitors.

  • Wet wipes
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Window cleaner
  • Vinegar
  • Makeup remover
  • Paper towels
  • Kitchen cleaners
  • Hand sanitizers

How to Clean Your Monitor

How to Clean Computer Screen Without Microfiber Cloth?

A microfiber cloth is a type of cloth that produces little to no lint. Thus, microfiber cloth leaves no residue on the monitor screen while cleaning. Also, this cloth is relatively softer, ensuring that the screen dies without damage or scratches.

Using a microfiber cloth to clean a computer screen is always ideal. Using another type of cloth would lead to residual dust and lint on the screen. 

If you don’t have a microfiber cloth handy for screen cleaning, you can choose a soft piece that does not produce any lint when it gets wet. You should never use paper products like tissue paper, toilet paper, etc., to clean the screen as they may scratch it.

How to Clean Monitor Screen Safely?

Some of the tips you need to follow while cleaning to avoid any damage to the monitor and other hardware are as follows.

1. Avoid direct wetting of the screen

Under any circumstance, you should not spray a cleaning solution or water onto the computer screen directly. This increases the chances for the moisture content to get inside the system, causing severe damage.

It is also important not to soak or drench the cleaning cloth with any solution or water. You should only spray a reasonable amount of solution onto the cloth for proper cleaning.

2. Avoid using regular cleaning supplies

Applying any random cleaning liquid or supply on your computer screen is not advisable. Each computer screen requires a specific kind of cleaning solution. Using random products would only damage the monitor’s display and affect the system’s longevity. 

You must go through the computer’s manual to understand the material and technology used to make the computer screen. Then, you should research suitable cleaning materials for that particular monitor.

3. Avoid scrubbing your screen

Applying too much pressure on the screen and scrubbing it could damage the computer display forever. You should always use soft materials and gentle pressure on the computer screens while cleaning. Applying severe pressure would cause permanent damage, and you may have to resort to a monitor replacement.

How to Clean Your Monitor

Summary

Cleaning a computer monitor is crucial for its durability and longevity. You can gain better visibility, performance, productivity, etc., from a properly cleaned computer monitor. Choosing the right cleaning product is also crucial for a monitor. You should not use harsh chemicals like acetone or ethyl alcohol as they can cause permanent damage to the screen.

You can follow specific basic steps, from switching off the computer to giving enough time for the screen to naturally dry off to clean the screen without any marks, smudges, or streaks. You should always remember not to apply too much pressure, use random chemicals, or direct spraying while cleaning a computer screen.

FAQs

1. Can I use tap water to clean my computer screen?

Many people use tap water to clean all their equipment, including computer screens. But it is advisable to use distilled water to clean a computer screen. Because tap water usually contains various impurities and minerals. These external elements can leave their residue on the computer screen. Repeated tap water use could gradually affect a computer screen’s longevity.

2. Can I use soap and water to clean my computer screen?

It is not at all ideal to use soap and water to clean your computer screen. Using water, even a small amount, could cause it to enter the computer and harm the system. Moisture content is not advisable for computer cleaning. You can use cleaning solutions that are specifically made for computer cleaning purposes.

3. Are alcohol wipes safe for my computer monitor?

Alcohol wipes are generally considered safe for cleaning your computer monitor. But make sure not to spray the alcohol solution directly on the screen. You can use alcohol wipes or spray the alcohol onto a microfibre cloth to clean the screen. 

4. Do I need to take special steps while cleaning my Mac screen?

No special steps need to be taken while cleaning a Mac screen. You can follow the exact cleaning procedure that one may use for a regular PC screen. You can use a gentle solution and a microfiber cloth to clean the Mac screen gently. If you have a plastic screen protector, you may have to buy a specific cleaning solution that does not damage the screen protector.

5. How can I clean my LCD or LED monitor?

You should use a diluted cleaning solution or distilled water to clean your LCD or LED monitor. As LCD screens cannot withstand harsh cleaning chemicals, you should pay enough attention to choosing the right solution that would be gentle on the surface. You should also try to exert as little pressure as possible, as you don’t want to damage the sensitive, reflective coating of the LCD and LED screens.