what should be used to clean lcd monitors factory

You’re on your computer A LOT. If you’re like most people, you’re on it anywhere from 3 to 7 hours a day. And the screen is REALLY close to your face, like 12 inches or so.

Which means all that coughing, sneezing, coffee sipping, and touching is inevitably leaving behind a trail of gunky, oily, germy messiness. Most visible when the screen goes black, sure, but sitting there, staring back at you the whole time. What to do?

The sleeve of your shirt won’t cut it this time. It’s time for a computer screen intervention (aka a helpful cleaning guide) to bring the dignity back to your monitor.

Don’t directly wet the screen. That means never spray it. If you’re going to use a cleaning solution, spray your cleaning towel, and then wipe the surface of the screen. When you spray it directly, you risk oversaturating the pixels, which can cause component failures, electrical problems, and even fire.

Don’t use regular cleaning supplies. Using multi-surface or glass cleaning products is a big no-no. The chemicals in these products are too strong for your monitor. Even regular soap and water is too harsh of a solution for your computer screen.

Don’t press too hard. Use a gentle circular motion to clean your screen and never apply too much pressure. Doing so can cause permanent damage, and is a major bummer when all you were trying to do was remove that coffee splatter.

Turn your computer off. A black screen makes spotting smudges and oil schmears easier, but merely putting your computer to sleep isn’t enough. Powering your computer down ensures you don’t damage its pixels while they’re still firing electricity and also eliminates the risk of electric shock or even fire.

Use a microfiber cloth. Never use a paper towel, old t-shirt, or napkins to clean your computer monitor. At worst, the fibers in these materials may scratch the surface of your screen and at best, they’ll leave a trail of lint. Instead, use a microfiber cloth, which is made up of a super soft synthetic material that won’t cause any damage to your screen, and will wipe away debris beautifully.

Wipe gently. Use a gentle, circular motion to wipe your screen clean. For any tough food particles or debris, a repeated circular motion may help do the trick. If not, skip to the next method which will show you how to make a homemade cleaning solution. It bears repeating, never spray your screen directly with cleaners, or soap and water.

Clean the frame and base. The only areas of your monitor that can withstand multi-purpose cleaners are the frame and base of your computer. Very carefully, lightly spray a paper towel with the cleaner (don’t soak it!) and run it along the frame and base. Never apply the paper towel to the actual screen of your computer.

Turn your computer off. For this method, the first step is to again power down your computer so that you can easily see all the debris on its screen AND so that you don’t inadvertently cause damage or burnout to the pixels.

Make a cleaning solution. The first and easiest cleaner you should try is distilled water, which doesn’t contain any chemicals. If your screen needs something stronger, mix ¼ cup distilled water and ¼ cup white vinegar in a spray bottle. If you don’t have white vinegar, a ¼ cup of distilled water and a ¼ of rubbing alcohol will do the trick, too. This simple solution can be used on many household items, from windows to shower doors .

Spray the microfiber cloth. Spray your cleaner onto a clean microfiber towel. Never spray the screen directly or you risk component failure or electrical shock.

Cleaning your computer screen will provide the much-needed physical (and mental!) cleansing you so desperately deserve. If you’re on a laptop, you can rest assured you won’t offend anyone at the coffee shop or in the conference room with splatters from last week’s roast beef sandwich. If you’re on a desktop computer, a clean screen could be just what you need to feel at home in your home office. And if that doesn’t do the trick, hey, maybe try washing the walls. Either way, cleaning your monitor is a win-win.

Regularly cleaning your LCD monitor keeps it free of dust, smudges, and germs. Wiping with a dry microfiber cloth is the safest cleaning option and is surprisingly effective at removing germs. You may need to use a dampened microfiber cloth to get rid of stubborn smudges and stuck-on debris, though. If you"re worried about germs, consider using a vinegar and water solution or a Lysol wipe on the screen. Be sure to check the device’s user manual first to make sure it’s okay to use liquids!

Over time, dirt, smudges, dust, and more can reduce the picture quality on an LCD, much like looking through a dirty pair of glasses. Cleaning an LCD screen is a simple and straightforward process.

3. Do not spray any cleaning fluid directly on the LCD screen to prevent liquid from dripping inside of it. (This also applies to touch screen monitors.)

4. A suitable cleaning solution for LCDs is a mixture of 50% Isopropyl alcohol and 50% distilled or otherwise purified water. For touch screens, 5-10% bleach may be used to clean the touch glass without harming it.

5. For purposes of disinfecting, benzyl alcohol and/or hydrogen peroxide can be used without harming the LCD screen and/or Touch Screen; please follow the same application directions as above to avoid damaging the touch screen and/or PC.

Don"t make the mistake of thinking that LCD screens work like your nifty new iPad. In general, touching should be off limits because pressing too hard on the screen can actually break or crack pixels. So the first rule to cleaning an LCD screen is don"t do it unless you have to (i.e. unless it"s actually dirty).

Many retailers offer special cleaning solutions for LCD screens, but the truth is that most of these are made up primarily of water. So, if you don"t want to take the time to go buy a cleaner or you want to save the money (maybe to put toward that "What Not to Wear" dress), you can just make your own LCD cleaner by mixing water with some vinegar or isopropyl alcohol -- the solution should be no more than 50/50.

You could even start with plain water and see if you need the vinegar or alcohol, which will come in handy when you"re trying to wipe away greasy fingerprints. Some people recommend only using distilled water, but regular water works fine, according to Dave Chipman from Sharp.

Unless you want to end up with a melted, discolored, hazy or scratched LCD screen, steer clear of all spray cleaners. In particular, don"t use any solvent cleaners that include acetone, ethyl alcohol, ethyl acid, ammonia or methyl chloride. You also want to avoid using any materials that could potentially scratch the screen"s delicate surface. Opt for a soft, clean, cotton cloth instead of wood-based products like paper towels and tissues. Chipman suggests using a microfiber cloth for best results.

If you"re lucky enough to have a service come in and do your cleaning for you, make sure they don"t inadvertently ruin your television or monitor by trying to clean it with something like glass cleaner. You should either take the time to explain -- and maybe even demonstrate -- how you want your LCD screen cleaned or just ask your cleaner to leave this particular job for you.

Is your computer monitor looking a little blurry? There may not be anything wrong with the monitor or your eyes. The monitor is probably dirty—covered with dust, fingerprints, smudges, and the occasional splatter from food and drinks. It"s time to clean your computer monitor.

Not all computer monitors are equal or can be cleaned the same way. So, it is vital to read your user manual or visit the manufacturer"s website before attempting to clean the monitor.

Glass-coated screens are not as delicate as non-glass-coated screens. Newer iMacs and Macbooks have a glass overlay like the big CRT monitors and vintage televisions.

If you aren"t sure what type of screen you have, use the least aggressive cleaning methods to remove dust and grime. Using caution may save you the cost of buying a new monitor.

The cleaning frequency necessary for a computer monitor depends on environmental factors and your usage habits. If the work area is particularly dusty, you frequently touch the screen or pick it up for moving, or are careless when eating and drinking around the monitor, clean it more often. For most users, a quick weekly cleaning will keep the monitor at its best.

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Isopropyl Alcohol is commonly found as rubbing alcohol in the grocery store, usually in a 70% isopropyl alcohol 30% distilled water mix; there is no need to dilute it when it comes that way. Some stores may sell 100% isopropyl alcohol which should be diluted. Something about the 70/30 mix causes the alcohol to evaporate away in the most efficient manner, so it"s better to do that than a 50/50 mix.

Isopropyl alcohol should be used only when distilled water won"t do the job, because repeated applications can eventually damage more delicate finishes.

Solutions that eyeglasses stores sell to clean glasses should certainly be safe for monitors, for finishes on glasses can be even more delicate. They are a good place to find the microfiber cloths which really are the best material for the job.

Windex and other ammonia-based cleaners should never be used; they WILL ruin your monitor, staining the finish a yellow color that can"t ever be removed.

Screens can scratch easily, and even paper towels and tissues contain fibers that can do damage. “Your best bet is to use a soft, anti-static microfiber cloth—the kind used to clean eyeglasses and camera lenses—and wipe in a circular motion,” says John Walsh, who cleans more than 250 TVs a year in his role as a CR photographer. (Some TV manufacturers will include a cloth for this purpose.) “Gently wipe the screen with a dry cloth to remove dust and other debris, but don’t press too hard,” he says.

You may also want to wipe down the TV’s cabinet, and make sure dust isn’t clogging the vents that help dissipate heat. If the TV is on a stand and not tethered to the wall, Walsh suggests cleaning with one hand while supporting the TV with the other to prevent the set from tipping over. However, CR strongly recommends anchoring all stand-mounted TVs using anti-tipping straps designed for this purpose.

If there are hard-to-remove stains, you can dampen the cloth slightly with distilled water and gently clean the screen. Don’t spray water directly onto the screen; that could cause a shock or component failure if water seeps into the inner workings of the set.

For the most stubborn stains, you can try using a solution of very mild dish soap highly diluted with water, once again applied to the cloth and not to the TV itself. (As a guideline, Panasonic used to recommend a 100:1 ratio of water to soap.) LCD screens, in particular, are very sensitive to pressure and can scratch easily, so don’t press hard.

Screens can scratch easily, and even paper towels and tissues contain fibers that can do damage. “Your best bet is to use a soft, anti-static microfiber cloth—the kind used to clean eyeglasses and camera lenses—and wipe in a circular motion,” says John Walsh, who cleans more than 250 TVs a year in his role as a CR photographer. (Some TV manufacturers will include a cloth for this purpose.) “Gently wipe the screen with a dry cloth to remove dust and other debris, but don’t press too hard,” he says.

You may also want to wipe down the TV’s cabinet, and make sure dust isn’t clogging the vents that help dissipate heat. If the TV is on a stand and not tethered to the wall, Walsh suggests cleaning with one hand while supporting the TV with the other to prevent the set from tipping over. However, CR strongly recommends anchoring all stand-mounted TVs using anti-tipping straps designed for this purpose.

If there are hard-to-remove stains, you can dampen the cloth slightly with distilled water and gently clean the screen. Don’t spray water directly onto the screen; that could cause a shock or component failure if water seeps into the inner workings of the set.

For the most stubborn stains, you can try using a solution of very mild dish soap highly diluted with water, once again applied to the cloth and not to the TV itself. (As a guideline, Panasonic used to recommend a 100:1 ratio of water to soap.) LCD screens, in particular, are very sensitive to pressure and can scratch easily, so don’t press hard.

Instructions on how to clean PC monitors aren’t usually available or indicated in the user manual, but it’s an important part of ownership. Keeping your display spic and span not only makes the device look good but also lessens distractions and health issues like dust allergies or even eye strain. We don’t usually touch or move the monitor, so it is highly prone to gathering dust and grime if left unkempt.

Dust is your main enemy with monitors even if they don’t outright damage the device. The problem with dust is it builds up over time, so it can clog a monitor’s air vents or cause a short if they find its way to the internals or ports. It’s also unpleasant to look at a dusty monitor, especially if you use it all the time.

You can get by with a simple wipe-down or even a good cleaning brush, but it usually takes more effort to clear persistent stains. You might even damage the fragile parts like the AG coating if you wipe too hard, so making the process easier has its benefits. Speed can also be the key for emergency cleanups for something like spills if you want to avoid permanent damage.

Here are some important steps you need to take before attempting to clean your PC monitor:Power Down – Turning the monitor off and unplugging it not only makes you and the device safer, but it also makes seeing smudges and fine dust easier. Do this to avoid injury, shorting, and permanent damage to your precious display.

Wipe or Brush it First – Wiping down or using a soft brush is usually enough to get rid of the haze of dust on your screen. You can also do this before applying the liquid cleaners to avoid smudging the dust around or turning them into clumps.

Use Cleaning Fluid After – If there’s still some more gunk like mucus that landed on your monitor after sneezing on it, use the fluids. Never use water since it can wipe out the screen’s coating or damage the electronics. Do not spray the screen with the cleaner directly since it can drip down and get into the gaps between the screen and the bezel.

Wipe Dry with a Clean Cloth – You should wipe down any excess fluid and let the monitor dry before attempting to use it. Using it while it’s still wet is a surefire way to destroy, cause a fire, or get a surprising jolt from the device.

The most basic tools for maintaining your PC monitor are a microfiber towel and any type of brush with fine hairs. However, it wouldn’t hurt to augment it with wipes, a spray, or even a portable blower to get rid of the nastier and more persistent dirt. Thankfully, there are products now which can help you to clean PC monitors and your other peripherals.

The  Screen Mom cleaner kit doesn’t have harmful chemicals so it will safely clean your screen with a like-new appearance. It includes a purple microfiber cloth and over 1500 sprays so it should last quite a while despite being so affordable.

The WHOOSH! Screen Cleaner Kit is another eco-friendly cleaner that is safe enough to use even for eyewear. It comes in several sizes and it includes a soft micro-fiber cloth and a portable bottle so you can take it anywhere with you.

The Gobe Glass Cleaning Kit is the premium and prosumer option since it comes with extras like its blower and the soft-hair brush. It is plant-based and it even comes with a pouch so you can neatly stow it away after use.

The EVEO option is one of the most effective screen cleaners in the market thanks to its unique formula. We like its black microfiber cloth which lasts long, and it lets you easily see if it is already dirty.

The Insignia Screen Cleaner comes from Best Buy which is widely known for electronics. It is quite popular since it gets rid of streaks quickly, plus its cloth can be stowed inside the cover so you won’t lose it.

The Weiman E-Tronic wipes can clean your screen without inducing streaks for that all-new look. It’s safe to use for TVs and monitors, plus it’s pre-moistened so it is ready to go once you pop the tube open.

The OXO Good Grips Sweep and Wipe is a double-sided tool that has a retractable soft brush on one side and a microfiber pad on the other. It’s designed to be used with laptops so it is very portable and very easy to store because of the way it is designed.

The DataVac computer cleaner is an enthusiast favorite since it’s powerful enough to blow out dust from inside your computer. It comes with a host of attachments so it can clean every nook and cranny of your setup with powerful airflow.

The Artist Unknown duster is a smaller, battery-operated compressed air duster that’s designed to sweep out dust from the tightest spots. Its powerful enough to clear dirt from your monitor’s seams and it lasts up to 30 minutes of continuous cleaning on a single charge.

Getting a brush kit like this generic set from Amazon can deepen your cleaning prowess, especially for monitors with tight edges and corners. It comes with a variety of brush sizes and types and long handles so you can reach spots that wipes and microfiber cloths won’t be able to reach.

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When it comes to cleaning, flat-screen TVs and LCD screens require special care and a gentle touch. With the wrong technique, you can easily scratch the screen or damage the surface"s antiglare coating. Even rubbing too hard can cause pixels (the tiny dots that compose images on computer monitors and TV screens) to burn out and stop working permanently. Most household cleaning products are too harsh to use on electronic devices with LCD or OLED screens, so choose your TV cleaning strategy carefully. These tips on how to clean a TV screen will help protect your device while ridding it of dust, smudges, fingerprints, and streaks.

Before you begin cleaning a TV or LCD monitor screen, check the manufacturer"s manual for cleaning instructions. If a computer or electronic wipe is recommended, purchase a container for quick cleanups. Note that using a cleaning product or method not recommended by the manufacturer will likely void a product"s warranty. It"s also important to avoid spraying liquid on the screen when cleaning a TV. Liquids can drip into the frame, get wicked inside the screen, and cause permanent damage.

If streaks or stains remain, wet a microfiber cloth with distilled water and wring the cloth until it"s almost dry. With very little pressure, wipe the cloth across the screen in broad motions, working from the top of the screen to the bottom. If smudges persist, dampen a new microfiber cloth with 50-50 water and vinegar solution, wringing it tightly to keep it slightly damp, and wipe.

To avoid damage to your TV while cleaning, only use gentle products. Never wipe the screen with paper towels, abrasive sponges, or coarsely woven rags, which can cause scratches. Instead, use high-quality, finely woven microfiber cloths to clean TV screens, recommends cleaning expert Leslie Reichert.

You should also avoid cleaning products that contain alcohol or ammonia. These types of cleaners can remove antiglare coatings and cause images to become cloudy or distorted. A simple swipe with a microfiber cloth ($9 for 5, Amazon) is typically all that"s needed to remove dust and other debris from the screen"s surface. When more than a light dusting is required, however, use the guidelines below for the best way to clean a TV.

Practice preventative measures so you won"t have to clean TV screens often. Keep food, drinks, and kids away from TV and computer screens to eradicate risks of messy splatters and fingerprint smudges. During your weekly house cleaning, lightly dust the screens with a microfiber cloth to prevent dust buildup.

Remember when your computer LCD display had that brand-new, fresh out-of-the-box shine? If it"s looking a little dull lately, it might be time to give it a good cleaning. Here"s how:

Step 2:Gently wipe the dust from the surface of the display using a dry, lint-free cloth, like a microfiber cloth. Remove any tags that may be on the cloth to avoid scratching the display with the tags.

If you prefer, you can use a cleanser made specifically for cleaning LCD displays, but do not spray it directly onto the display. Spray a small amount of the cleaner onto a microfiber cloth first, to avoid getting any cleaning solution inside the display.

Whether it"s the monitor in your cubicle at work or a laptop on the standing desk in your home office, computer screens get grimy. Getting rid of dust is a major concern: As it silently and continuously builds up, it may distort the color or brightness of your screen. Greasy fingerprints are another offender. Even if you don"t have a touchscreen model, fingerprints happen and become especially visible when the screen is black. Finally, germs are always an issue — it"s just good practice to keep frequently used surfaces sanitary.

Cleaning a screen requires a delicate touch. Some cleaners or cloths are too abrasive. Using the wrong liquid can cause damage, and using too much liquid can cause your laptop or monitor to short out altogether. To find out what cleaning products and supplies are safest to use, we checked in with Carolyn Forté, the Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab.

Forté says, "If there"s one thing you should avoid entirely, it"s regular glass cleaner that you"d find in the cleaning aisle.Windows are different surfaces from computer screens and with different cleaning needs." She explains that using a clean, dry microfiber cloth is the best and safest way to remove streaks or smudges and that just plain wiping also removes bacteria. But to actually disinfect, you"ll need a cleaning product.

A note on the various degrees of cleaning: Some products may only clean or sanitize a screen, which the CDC definesas "[lowering] the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level," based on how they work, the ingredients they contain and the length of time they remain on the surface. Others disinfect, which actually "kills germs on surfaces or objects" and "further lowers the risk of spreading infection" overall. Disinfecting takes longer than cleaning or sanitizing.

The answer is complicated, as there are hundreds of laptop manufacturers and even more when it comes to monitors — and they all have their own safe cleaning recommendations. Always start by following your computer manufacturer"s cleaning advice, especially if your device is still under warranty. If that doesn"t totally take care of the problem, there may be other steps you can take depending on the type of screen you have, but proceed carefully.

What is safe for your laptop screen usually comes down to whether or not it has a glass covering. For Macs, this is usually the case. But PC models may not have glass over their LCD screens. When in doubt, refer to your user"s manual, or reach out to your laptop"s manufacturer online via email or on-site support chats to learn more.

That being said, Forté says most Apple laptops and monitors — or any laptop with a glass-protected screen —can be wiped down with either Lysol or Clorox disinfecting wipes.Since laptops are routinely handled, Forté says even if you disinfect your device, it won"t stay disinfected for long. If you still want to give disinfecting a go, surfaces cleaned with traditional disinfecting wipes usually need to remain wet for four minutes to kill viruses and bacteria, but check the label of the wipes you are using to be sure. Then, let your screen air dry and buff again with a microfiber cloth.

Remember: For any device, you never want to spray a cleaning agent directly onto the screen — it could seep into the cracks and crevices of your laptop, Forté says. "You want to make sure that no excess water, cleaner or liquid gets inside your laptop," she explains. "Always spray onto a cloth first if you are trying to use aerosols or sprays, and make sure any wipes you use are not overly wet."

How to clean and disinfect a non-LCD (glass-covered) laptop screen:Unplugyour laptop from its power source, and turn it off (do the same for monitors).

Wring out a disinfecting wipe to ensure it"s not oversaturated and gently wipe your laptop"s screen horizontally and vertically making sure it stays wet for the time required by the package instructions and taking care to not touch any openings (including ports or speakers).

If you have a PC laptop with an LCD screen, you should not use disinfecting wipes. Manufacturers, such as Hewlett-Packard, say that active ingredients found in both Clorox and Lysol wipes could damage your screen. This HP customer support web page alsocautions: "Do not use any of the following chemicals or any solutions that contain them: Acetone, ethyl alcohol, toluene, ethyl acid, ammonia or methyl chloride." It also states that "some commercial glass cleaners contain ammonia and are therefore unacceptable." It"s best and safest to wipe them with a dry cloth or for stubborn spots, use an LCD-safe cleaner sparingly applied first to the cloth and then to the screen. Never spray the screen directly.

Microfiber cloths are made with special fibers that have more surface area to trap dirt, grime and germs, Forté says, and with edges to lift bacteria off your screen. While a dry microfiber clothcan"t disinfect an LCD screen, using one to wipe down your screen won"t put it in danger of the permanent damage that cleaners could pose and can remove some germs.

Additional recommendations on HP"s support page read, "To clean smudges from the LCD screen, choose a nonabrasive cloth or towel. Turn off the computer and disconnect the power cable. Wipe the screen gently with a soft, dry cloth. If any marks remain, moisten the cloth with LCD cleaner, and then gently stroke the cloth across the display in one direction, moving from the top of the display to the bottom."

Forté confirms that you should not use soap and water to clean any computer screen. Some soap varieties may contain ingredients known to affect LCD screens and a sudsy mix is not only too wet, but won"t evaporate quickly enough to safely be used on a laptop screen.

Since your keyboard is the part of your laptop you"re touching most, you might be wondering if you should use disinfectants on this surface as well. Apple"s cleaning recommendations page indicates that 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes can be used to gently wipe the hard, non-porous surfaces of Apple products, like displays, keyboards and exterior surfaces. PC laptop manufacturers all have various instructions (HP says cleaning the keycaps with dish soap is fine).

Forté says you shouldn"t be afraid to wipe down your keyboard with a wipe after you"ve taken time to clean your laptop"s screen. Despite official recommendations, keyboards are made with plastic keys that are non-porous, and Forté explains that they shouldn"t be affected,especially if you"re careful in ensuring excess liquid isn"t seeping between and beneath the keys. Just like when you clean your screen, you"ll want to make sure your computer is off.

Both Forté and Apple recommend holding your laptop at a 75° angle and using a can of compressed air to blow away debris that"s become lodged between keys before wiping it down. Lastly, you can also dip a clean microfiber cloth or a large cotton swab into rubbing alcohol and go over each of the keys to clean and sanitize them.

The bottom line:It"s clear that laptop manufacturers have various recommendations when it comes to cleaning so be sure to follow their guidelines first. While disinfectants may contain solvents or other cleaning agents potentially damaging to some surfaces, they"re formulated to actually kill germs. Regular screen cleaners or microfiber cloths don"t have the same killing power as disinfectants, but are viable cleaning alternatives if you"re concerned about the safety of your computer screen.

Zee Krstic is a health editor for Good Housekeeping, where he covers health and nutrition news, decodes diet and fitness trends and reviews the best products in the wellness aisle. Prior to joining GH in 2019, Zee fostered a nutrition background as an editor at Cooking Light and is continually developing his grasp of holistic health through collaboration with leading academic experts and clinical care providers. He has written about food and dining for Time, among other publications.

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Your television is probably one of the last things you think about adding to your "to clean" list, but the difference between a smudgy screen and a crisp picture isn"t one to shrug at. Every day, our TVs accumulate dust and fingerprints, and the buildup occurs so slowly that it"s hard to notice. That is, until you take a quick 10 minutes to clean your TV and revel in a far more satisfying cinematic experience.

We asked a couple cleaning pros for the full rundown on how to clean TV screens of all types, including flat plasma and LCD screens, along with some common mistakes people make when cleaning their TV screens so you know exactly what to avoid.

To prevent buildup from accumulating on your TV screen, aim for a once-weekly TV cleaning. "It"s important to clean your TV screen not only to prolong its lifespan, but also to provide the clearest picture possible—smudges, dust, and fingerprints be gone," says Kathy Cohoon, a cleaning professional with Two Maids & a Mop. "It can make a big difference in the aesthetic of your TV and the picture on screen."

Power down. Before breaking out any dust cloths or cleaners, make sure your TV is off. If you want to take an additional precaution, Cohoon says you can also unplug the TV, but it"s typically not necessary for modern TVs.

Dust the screen. Dry dusting your TV is a crucial step in the cleaning process. "Removing dry debris will ensure that you don"t accidentally create scratches by scrubbing a rough piece of dirt or buildup into the screen," Cohoon says. She recommends using a microfiber or soft cloth to gently dust the entire screen. If needed, flip the cloth over (or get a second cloth) in order to completely remove all dust, pet hair, and other loose debris. You can use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the speakers and cords as well.

Use screen-safe cleaner.Spray a small amount of screen-friendly cleaning product onto a soft cloth—never directly onto the screen itself—and wipe the TV down in a methodical, back-and-forth motion. Check that the cleanser is safe for the specific type of screen you are cleaning. Repeat as necessary to remove oily areas or fingerprint smudges. Also, don"t forget to gently wipe down the top and base of the TV.

Clean smudges on the screen."For tougher spots, make sure not to apply too much pressure, especially on more delicate screens," advises Leanne Stapf, the chief operating officer for The Cleaning Authority. "If microfiber cloth spot-cleaning doesn"t work, I recommend adding a bit of warm water to the cloth and then cleaning the spot with the dampened cloth."

Dust.Use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe away loose dust, dirt, or any other debris. You may need to turn the cloth over or get a second one to adequately remove everything.

Wipe down the screen."Since these screens are a bit sturdier, you can mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and lukewarm water to create a cleaning solution," Cohoon says. "Using a small amount of solution on a soft cloth, wipe the entire screen, base, and top." Spot-clean any stubborn areas with caked-on messes or heavy fingerprints. You can also remove fingerprints by rubbing with a microfiber cloth in a circular motion.

​​To clean and sanitize a remote, Stapf says to simply use a disinfecting wipe to remove bacteria, germs, fingerprints, and any other residue. Make sure the cleaning wipe is damp but not soaking wet to avoid getting liquid inside the remote control. Spend some time cleaning between the buttons since gunk can easily accumulate here.

It"s also a good idea to remove the batteries first, or you can take the remote to a different room so it doesn"t inadvertently change the TV settings as you clean the buttons.

Forgetting to Dust First: "A big misstep when cleaning a TV is forgetting to dust the screen before using a cleaning agent," says Cohoon. This can lead to tiny scratches that slowly degrade picture quality.

Scrubbing Too Hard:Modern TV screens are delicate and require a gentle touch. Wiping too vigorously or using a rough cloth can damage the screen quickly.

Spraying Solution Directly Onto the TV:All wet cleaners should be sprayed onto a cloth and then wiped over the TV. Spraying directly onto the screen can create spots that are hard to remove. It also puts you at risk of damaging the speakers.

Using Non-Approved Cleaners: Using store-bought glass cleaners on OLED or LCD TV screens is a big no-no. Stapf says, "These products contain harsh ingredients like alcohol and ammonia, which can damage the panels of the screen."

Taking good care of your computer is important. Cleaning your computer, components, and peripherals helps keep everything in good working condition, helps prevent germs from spreading, and helps allow proper air flow. The picture shows an example of how dirty the inside of your computer case can get. Looking at this picture, it"s immediately obvious that all the dust and dirt is going to prevent proper air flow and may even prevent the fan from working.

The frequency of how often to clean your computer varies on different factors. To help you determine how often you need to clean your computer, we created the checklist below. Check each of the boxes below that apply to your computer"s conditions to help determine how often to clean the computer.

You can use a vacuum to suck up dirt, dust, or hair around the computer. However, do not use a vacuum inside your computer as it generates static electricity that damages your computer. If you need to use a vacuum inside your computer, use a portable battery powered vacuum or try compressed air.

Be cautious when using any cleaning solvents; some people have allergic reactions to chemicals in cleaning solvents, and some solvents can even damage the case. Try always to use water or a highly diluted solvent.

When cleaning, be careful to not accidentally adjust any knobs or controls. Also, when cleaning the back of the computer, if anything is connected make sure not to disconnect the plugs.

When cleaning fans, especially smaller fans, hold the fan or place something in-between the fan blades to prevent it from spinning. Spraying compressed air into a fan or cleaning a fan with a vacuum may cause damage or generate a back voltage.

Although computer cleaning products are available, you can also use household items to clean your computer and its peripherals. Below is a listing of items you may need or want to use while cleaning your computer.

Cloth - A cotton cloth is the best tool used when rubbing down computer components. Paper towels can be used with most hardware, but we always recommend using a cloth whenever possible. However, only use a cloth when cleaning components such as the case, a drive, mouse, and keyboard. Don"t use a cloth to clean any circuitry such as the RAM or motherboard.

Water or rubbing alcohol - When moistening a cloth, it is best to use water or rubbing alcohol. Other solvents may be bad for the plastics used with your computer.

Portable Vacuum - Sucking the dust, dirt, hair, cigarette particles, and other particles out of a computer can be one of the best methods of cleaning a computer. However, do not use a vacuum that plugs into the wall since it creates lots of static electricity that damages your computer.

Cotton swabs - Cotton swaps moistened with rubbing alcohol or water are excellent tools for wiping hard to reach areas in your keyboard, mouse, and other locations.

Why? Cleaning your case keeps the appearance of the computer looking new. While cleaning, if you see ventilation slots, these can be cleaned or cleared to help keep a steady airflow into the computer and keep all components cool.

Procedure: The plastic case that houses the PC components can be cleaned with a slightly damp lint-free cloth. For stubborn stains, add a little household detergent to the cloth. Don"t use a solvent cleaner on plastics.

Make sure all vents and air holes are hair and lint-free by rubbing a cloth over the holes and vents. It is also helpful to take a vacuum around each of the hole, vents, and crevices on the computer. It is safe to use a standard vacuum when cleaning the outside vents of a computer.

Procedure: To clean the CD-ROM drive, we recommend purchasing a CD-ROM cleaner from your local computer retailer. Using a CD-ROM cleaner should sufficiently clean the CD-ROM laser from dust, dirt, and hair.

You can also use a cloth dampened with water to clean the tray that ejects from the drive. However, make sure that after the tray is cleaned that it completely dry before putting the tray back into the drive.

Procedure: Use a cleaning kit or damp clean cotton cloth to clean CDs, DVDs, and other discs. When cleaning a disc wipe against the tracks, starting from the middle of the disc and wiping towards the outer side. Never wipe with the tracks; doing so may put more scratches on the disc.

Why? Computer hard drives cannot be physically cleaned. However, they can be cleaned with software utilities to help it run fast and efficiently. Utilizing these utilities prevent the hard drive from slowing down.

Why? Headphones and headsets can be used by many different people and may need to be frequently cleaned to help prevent the spreading of germs and head lice.

Library or school headphones should not be cleaned with any disinfectant or cleaning solvent since some people can have allergic reactions to the chemicals they contain.

Headphones that have cushions also have the availability of having the cushions replaced. Replacing these cushions can also help keep the headphones clean.

Finally, in regards to headphones spreading head lice. If different students use the same headphones, have students use their own headphones, place bags over the headphones, or using headphones that can be wiped with warm water after each use.

The computer keyboard is usually the most germ infected items in your home or office. A keyboard may even contain more bacteria than your toilet seat. Cleaning it helps remove any dangerous bacteria, fix or prevent stuck keys, and keeps the keyboard working properly.

Procedure: Before cleaning the keyboard, first turn off the computer or if you are using a USB keyboard unplug it from the computer. Not unplugging the keyboard can cause other computer problems as you may press keys that cause the computer to perform a task you do not want it to perform.

Many people clean the keyboard by turning it upside down and shaking. A more efficient method is to use compressed air. Compressed air is pressurized air contained in a can with a very long nozzle. To clean a keyboard using compressed air, aim between the keys and blow away all the dust and debris. A vacuum cleaner can also be used, but make sure the keyboard does not have loose "pop off" keys can be sucked up by the vacuum.

After the dust, dirt, and hair are removed. Spray a disinfectant onto a cloth or use disinfectant cloths and rub each of the keys on the keyboard. As mentioned in our general cleaning tips, never spray any liquid onto the keyboard.

If the keyboard has anything spilled on it (e.g., pop, cola, Pepsi, Coke, beer, wine, coffee, and milk), not taking the proper steps can destroy the keyboard.

If anything is spilled onto the keyboard, turn the computer off immediately or at the very least disconnect the keyboard from the computer. Once done flip the keyboard over to prevent the substance from penetrating circuits. While the keyboard is upside down, shake the keyboard over a surface that can be cleaned later. While still upside down, use a cloth to start cleaning the keys. After the keyboard is cleaned, leave the keyboard upside down for at least two days allowing it to dry. Once dry, continue cleaning the keyboard with any remaining substance.

Finally, if the keyboard still works but remains dirty or sticky before discarding the keyboard as a last resort try washing the keyboard in the dishwasher.

When cleaning the LCD or LED screen, it is important to remember to not spray any liquids onto the screen directly. Press gently while cleaning and do not use a paper towel since it can scratch the screen.

To clean the LCD or LED screen, use a non-rugged microfiber cloth, soft cotton cloth, or Swiffer duster. If a dry cloth does not completely clean the screen, you can apply rubbing alcohol to the cloth and wipe the screen with a damp cloth. Rubbing alcohol is used to clean LCD and LED monitors before it leaves the factory.

Procedure: A glass monitor screen can be cleaned with ordinary household glass cleaner. Unplug the monitor power cord and spray the cleaner onto a lint-free cloth to prevent fluid from leaking into any components inside the monitor. Vacuum off any dust that settled on top of the monitor and make sure no books or papers are covering the air vents. Obstructed monitor vents can cause the monitor to overheat or even catch on fire.

We suggest only using a cloth dampened with water when cleaning non-glass monitors or any anti-glare screens. Using ordinary household glass cleaner on special screens, especially cleaners with ammonia, can remove anti-glare protection or other special surfaces.

Procedure: Our recommendation when cleaning the motherboard from dust, dirt, or hair is to use compressed air. When using compressed air, hold it upright to prevent any of the chemicals from coming out of the container, which may damage the motherboard or other components. Also, ensure when using compressed air that you always blow the dust or dirt away from the motherboard or out of the case.

Another good alternative to compressed air is a portable battery powered vacuum. Portable vacuums can effectively remove the dust, dirt, and hair from the motherboard completely and prevent it from getting trapped in the case.

Never use an electrically powered vacuum, as it can cause static electricity that damages the computer. When using a battery powered vacuum, keep it a few inches away from components to prevent damage and anything from being sucked into the vacuum (e.g., jumpers).

Procedure: Use a can of compressed air that is designed for use with electronic equipment, spraying around the optical sensor on the bottom of the mouse. Blowing air on the bottom of the mouse clears away any dirt, dust, hair, or other obstructions blocking the optical sensor.

Procedure: To clean the rollers of an optical-mechanical mouse, you must first remove the bottom cover of the mouse. To do this, examine the bottom of the mouse to see what direction to rotate the cover. As you can see in the below illustration, the mouse cover must be moved counterclockwise. Place two fingers on the mouse cover, push down and rotate in the direction of the arrows.

Once the cover has rotated about an inch, rotate the mouse into its normal position, covering the bottom of the mouse with one hand. The bottom should then fall off, including the mouse ball. If the cover does not fall off, try shaking the mouse gently.

Once the bottom cover and the ball is removed, three rollers should be visible inside the mouse. Use a cotton swab, finger, or fingernail to remove any substances on the rollers. Usually, there is a small line of hair and dirt in the middle of the roller. Remove as much of this substance as possible.

If the mouse still has the same problems, repeat the above process. If, after several attempts the mouse is still having the same problems, your mouse has other hardware issues and should be replaced.

Why? Cleaning the outside of a printer helps keep the printer"s appearance looking good and if used by many different people keep the printer clean of germs.

Procedure: First, make sure to turn off the printer before cleaning it. Dampen a cloth with water or rubbing alcohol and wipe the case and each of the buttons or knobs on the printer. As mentioned earlier, never spray any liquid directly onto the printer.

Procedure: Clean a flatbed scanner"s surface by spraying a window cleaner onto a paper towel or cotton cloth and wipe the glass until clean. As mentioned earlier, never spray a liquid directly onto the component.

Below is a listing of miscellaneous computer hardware that"s rarely used today, but kept on this page people working on older computers and need to clean these devices.

Procedures: The floppy drive is cleaned two different ways. The first method of cleaning a floppy drive is to purchase a kit at your local retail store designed to clean the read/write heads on your floppy drive.

The second method of cleaning the floppy drive is only recommended for experienced computer users. Open the floppy drive casing and physically swab the read/write heads with a lint-free foam swab soaked in pure alcohol or trichloroethane. When performing these steps, be extremely careful when cleaning the heads to ensure that you do not lock them out of alignment causing the floppy drive not to work. To help prevent head alignment issues, use a dabbing motion lightly putting the swab on the head and removing it, don"t perform a side-to-side motion with the swab.

Procedure: To clean the PalmPilot screen, use a soft cloth moistened with rubbing alcohol and rub the screen and the casing of the palm pilot. It is not recommended to use glass cleaner as it could damage plastics over time.

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