If you’re reading this article, it’s very likely your laptop is filthy. Fortunately, today’s “how to” also works for TV owners, i.e. the same theory/practice applies to both laptops and TVs, because both are LCD screens (the vast majority of them anyway). In other words, you’re getting two for the price of one here.
8 Tips and Tricks for Cleaning a Laptop Screen
1. Life in Plastic is Fantastic
Here is the deal an LCD screen, as well as an OLED, is protected by a plastic sheath. Plastisol attracts dust particles, and it’s also an excellent breeding ground for bacteria. Whether cleaning a laptop or a TV screen, the same principles are applicable: you’ll need to eliminate dust, invisible bacteria, dust particles and possibly ancient food stains, if you enjoy yelling at the screen while playing games or watching movies.
2. Avoid Scratching Your Screen
The best way to clean a laptop screen is to prevent scratching it in the first place. Plastic scratches easily and forever, and laptop screens are no exception, since they lack the same glass protection as old CRT monitors used to have.
So, ideally speaking, you should avoid damaging your laptop screen when cleaning it, i.e., do not use window cleaner or glass cleaner on your laptop or TV. Any harsh products should be avoided at all costs. It’s true that some high-end laptops, like MacBooks for example, use an oil-repellent coating to protect the display, but that coating can also be damaged by alcohol-based cleaners, so check that out before you go.
3. What is the Best Stuff to Clean your Display and why is it isopropyl?
On non-oleophobic screens, such as touchscreen displays, which are prone to getting dirty due to heavy use, you can use isopropyl cleaner if you’re concerned about germs (though you shouldn’t be). This substance is an alcohol-based solvent, but it’s mild and widely used for its antiviral/antibacterial properties.
When cleaning a touchscreen Windows-10 laptop, dilute isopropyl down to 60 percent (it usually comes at 99 percent) with purified water. If you mix one part purified water with two parts isopropyl 99%, you’ll end up with 60 percent (give or take) isopropyl, which is great for cleaning touchscreens.
It’s best not to spray isopropyl directly on the screen, even for big-screen laptops; spray/dab diluted isopropyl on a microfiber cloth, then gently wipe the screen in circular motions and from one end to the other. Don’t drench the cloth in isopropyl, just dampen it.
In addition to laptop screens, you can actually use diluted isopropyl to clean/disinfect any other surface, that’s a pretty cool life-hack. Remember where you read it first. Although isopropyl is great for non-oleophobic screens, and it is also pretty cheap, this is not a panacea to solve all your germ-infestation high-tech problems. Isopropyl lacks some of the properties that dedicated screen cleaners have.
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4. Shop for a High-Quality Dedicated Screen Cleaner Solution
By that, we mostly mean anti-static and anti-streak properties. To summarize, if you’re using isopropyl to clean a filthy display, it would be best to finish the job with a screen-cleaner solution. There are plenty of laptop screen cleaners on the market, and most of them are excellent, offer anti-static properties, and are biodegradable. Once you treat your laptop screen with a solution like Whoosh, it won’t attract dust. Economist, i.e., it will stay cleaner for longer.
5. Maintenance Tips
Even though you probably already know this, we will tell you anyway: before you start the cleaning process, turn off your monitor and give it a few minutes to cool; if you have a history of spilling stuff, disconnect the laptop from the power source and remove the battery.
Then you won’t have to worry about ruining your laptop if you spill cleaning solution all over it.
6. Be gentle
We already told you TVs and laptop screens are delicate, and you don’t want them damaged, especially if you’re using a high-end computer for work. So you need to apply a gentle touch at all times, since cleaning an LCD screen is a delicate process.
For the best results, use a microfiber cloth and avoid paper towels or rags, which may damage your screen. I know, it seems obvious, but RTFM, okay? Always read the instruction manual and see what the manufacturer recommends for your laptop if you’re not sure. Do not apply cleaning products directly to the display, okay?
7. Use Microfiber Cloth and/or a soft sponge
Here’s a short guide on how to avoid damaging your laptop or TV: microfiber cloths are best for dust removal. You already know that, don’t you? Microfiber is designed to remove debris and dust without scratching surfaces or producing lint.
You can first use a damp sponge to remove grime and dirt, but only if the screen is incredibly filthy and the microfiber cloth is not enough. When you have removed the filth using the sponge, you may proceed with the microfiber cloth to finish the job. Always use a new household sponge dipped in deionized or distilled water.
Our recommendation is to use a high-quality microfiber cloth and safe screen spray only for oils and sticky stuff.
8. Big Don’ts
Acetone, Ammonia, Ethyl Acid, Ethyl Alcohol, Methyl Alcohol, Methyl Chloride, Surface cleaners, Toluene, Window cleaners, etc. are a few things you should avoid.
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