Laptop screens collect dust, crumbs and other dirt which starts to look nice after some time. It is important to use very delicate products to clean the screen, as the LCD surface is easily damaged. If you don't want to buy a specific product from a store, you can use a microfiber cloth and a simple solution of water and vinegar.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Clean the Screen with a Microfiber Cloth
Step 1. Turn off your computer and disconnect the power supply and battery
Cleaning a blank screen can cause permanent damage, so don't risk it and turn everything off. Don't just suspend your computer.
Step 2. Get a microfiber cloth
This fabric is lint free and very soft. If you use a towel, t-shirt, or other type of fabric, you may leave residue on the screen or scratch it.
- Also avoid using paper. Never use tissues, paper towels, toilet paper or other paper products, as they can scratch and damage the screen.
- A microfiber cloth is useful for cleaning all types of screens and lenses.
Step 3. Gently wipe the cloth across the screen
With a single swipe of the cloth you should remove all dust and debris from the screen. Rub gently without applying too much pressure, otherwise you will damage the screen.
- By rubbing in a circular motion, you will be able to clean even the dirtiest spots.
- Never rub hard, or you may burn pixels.
Step 4. Clean the display bezel with a mild cleaner
If the area around the screen is dirty, you can use a normal household cleaner and paper towels; just be very careful not to touch the screen.
Method 2 of 3: Use a Cleaner
Step 1. Turn off your computer and disconnect the power supply and battery
Since you are using a liquid to clean the screen, it is important to turn off the computer and disconnect it from the power supply.
Step 2. Create a mild cleaning solution
The ideal solution is pure distilled water, which contains no chemicals and is delicate. If the screen is very dirty, a 50/50 solution of white wine vinegar and distilled water may be effective.
- Make sure you use pure white wine vinegar, not balsamic or apple vinegar.
- Distilled water is better than tap water because it contains no chemicals.
- Manufacturers do not recommend using cleaners with alcohol, ammonia, or other strong solvents on LCD screens.
Step 3. Put the solution in a small spray bottle
Don't use this spray on the screen itself though.
Step 4. Apply a small amount of solution to a microfiber cloth, possibly antistatic and lint free
Remember not to use a normal cloth, or you may scratch the screen. Do not soak the cloth; you should just moisten it.
- A wet cloth can drip or wet the screen and the solution may seep inside and damage it permanently.
- Try applying the solution to one corner of the cloth at a time to make sure you don't get too wet.
Step 5. Rub the cloth across the screen in a circular fashion
With quick circular movements you will avoid crawling. Apply gentle, even pressure to the cloth. Apply enough pressure to keep the cloth in contact with the screen. Be careful not to push your fingers against the screen, or you risk permanently damaging the LCD matrix and rendering the screen unusable.
- Keep the screen up or down to avoid leaving marks as you clean it.
- You may have to swipe the screen several times to remove all marks. You may also need to re-moisten the cloth as you clean, depending on the number of strokes you will need to do.
Method 3 of 3: Know What to Avoid
Step 1. Never wet the screen directly
Never, under any circumstances, spray water directly on the laptop screen. This would greatly increase the chances of water entering the machine, and the risk of a short circuit. Use water only when applied with a soft cloth.
Do not soak the cloth with water. A soaked cloth will cause drops to fall into the machine, which can cause serious damage. If you accidentally used too much water, squeeze the cloth well until it is just damp
Step 2. Do not use normal cleaning products on the screen
The only cleaners suitable for the screen are a mild solution of water and vinegar or specific cleaners for LCD screens. Do not use the following products:
- Window cleaners.
- Multi-purpose cleaners
- Dish soap, or any kind of soap
Step 3. Never rub the screen hard
If you apply too much pressure, you can permanently damage the laptop. Use a gentle circular motion when cleaning. Avoid using brushes and only use a very soft cloth.
Advice
- Handkerchiefs, napkins and similar types of paper are not suitable as they leave small pieces of paper on the monitor. It is best not to even try to use them. They may also contain wood fibers that could scratch shiny surfaces.
- Do not spray never any liquid or cleaning solution directly on the screen! LCD and plasma screens have electrical connections on the edges, so any solution that drips or drips down the screen can cause a short circuit or permanently damage the screen! Always spray the solution only on the cloth to clean!
- Do not use tap water, it can leave marks and mineral deposits.
- If you are a photographer, you can use the tissues or wipes (which do not leave lint) you use to clean the lenses, instead of a soft cotton cloth.
- If you have eyeglass lens cleaner, check that it does not contain isopropanol. If it's on the ingredient list, don't use it on your LCD screen.
- Use a cotton swab moistened with cleaning solution to reach the most difficult spots.
- If you splash too much solution on the cloth and it becomes too wet or starts to drip, wipe it with a soft dry cloth and remember to use less solution next time.
Warnings
- If in doubt, try the solution on a small area of the screen.
- Apply only the pressure necessary to hold the cloth on the screen: never hard press, rub or rub the cloth against the screen when cleaning an LCD screen, all these actions can permanently damage it!
- Do not use paper towels or paper towels, they are made with wood fiber and can scratch your LCD screen.
- Try not to use products that contain even small amounts of ammonia or alcohol, these substances can ruin the LCD panel.
- Turn off your laptop, unplug the power supply and remove the battery before you start cleaning your computer, otherwise you risk damaging the pixels on the LCD.
- The disposable wet / dry cleaning wipes that are on the market solve, in addition to the problems mentioned above, also another problem. Wet wipes are soaked with just the right amount of cleaning solution, so it doesn't drip or drip onto the screen. The wipes in the kit do not leave lint or streaks on the screen when used according to the instructions.
