how to remove oil from lcd screen manufacturer

I agree with KraziKid. When cleaning oils off one of these screens stick with pure or slightly diluted isopropyl alcohol and a lint-free cloth with the cloth slightly dampened so that you don"t get rivulets of liquid trying to run down the face of the screen. The microfibre cloth is nice, but not absolutely necessary. NEVER use a paper towel. They will put microscratches on the screen. I know this for a fact. I"ve examined a newly unwrapped LCD screen under a loupe right after a store manager cleaned it with a dampened paper towel. Clean by stroking GENTLY across the surface from top to bottom in overlapping strokes. Turn the cloth frequently (at the end of each stroke) so that dirt picked up on one pass isn"t carried over to the next stroke to potentially scratch the screen surface.

Someone recommended "glass cleaner". That wasn"t very specific, and following that advice could cause problems with some LCD screens. Glass cleaners vary considerably in composition. The ones that contain amonia, among other chemicals, are NOT recommended by manufacturers for use in cleaning most of these screens. Every LCD monitor I"ve investigated came with a manual that included instructions on how to clean the screen.

Oh yes, I forgot to mention the most important and final step to take in cleaning an LCD screen after someone has put his greasy fingerprints on it. Kill the perp, then nail his carcass to a nearby wall. Place a sign around his neck which explains why he has been placed in such an embarrassing position. The cleaning job is not done until you have performed this final step.

I buy a product for cleaning sunglasses called Viva; I’ve used it for several years and it works great. For dusting the screen, I’ve used the anti-static anti-cling sheets you would otherwise use in a dryer. They also do well with no ill effects.

I’ve used “Glass Plus” on my laptop and my 19″ LCD for about four years now. I also use the brown paper towels that are on a roll; they are used in the dispensers in bathrooms. I get the end of the roll before it is discarded.

Sorry all, but I have one related question rater than a tip. I am interested in advice on how to clean the “solid” stuff from the LCD screen. You see, it’s that during all these years, there were many “little dots” of such stuff (like small coagulated pieces of coffee etc.) that I accidentally spilled or whatever, and now they’re spreading all over my screen.

I use terry cloth dust cloths that are like magnets for dust and dirt. They are reusable and environmentally smart. I have seen them in stores, but bought mine from a catalog. You can’t go wrong.

I apologize for not having a tip, rather I do have a question. I had a LCD TV which used to look all nice and perfect. All of the sudden a big yellow stain appeared on it. I came to find out that my mother came to visit, she decided to help out with the cleaning and she applied Windex to my TV. Ever since, we haven’t been able to remove this stain. Does someone know if there is a way to remove this stain? Or am I stuck with it forever?

There don’t seem to be any reports of success for resolving this issue, so if you try any of these ideas, please let us know how it goes! Here are a few ideas that might work:

3) Put a couple drops of cooking oil on a soft cloth and polish the area. Add more oil to the cloth as needed. Any oil should be fine – olive, coconut, canola, etc.

4) This idea seems promising: wipe the area with an acrylic cleaner, such as Peek polish. If the coating on the screen has been damaged, removing the coating should resolve the issue, which is why this might work. A new anti-glare coating can be applied afterward.

Of course, if you can’t fix the problem, you might be able to replace just the screen. It’s not a cheap option, but probably better than replacing the whole device. Good luck!

Someone at Target told me that a little drop of Dawn dish soap and water works great. I’ve been cleaning my LCD TV that way for a while now and it looks and works great.

I’m got a problem that few, if any, others will have encountered: in a modern museum setting, we have several large LCD monitors that are routinely exposed to small quantities of water mist (from a simulated flash flood exhibit). During design, the quantities of water were deemed insignificant, but over time we’ve found the build-up of mineral deposits (“hard water stains”) in the form of droplets on the screens has become a problem. Does anyone have any suggestions? I’m reluctant to try any of the acidic, off-the-shelf hard water stain removers that you might use in your shower, but I’m open to any suggestions.

Manufacturers like Apple recommend cleaning with a soft cloth and a solution of water and no more than 50% isopropyl alcohol. I personally clean my screen with a microfiber cloth and water. Microfiber cloths are commonly sold as eyeglass cleaners, it is designed to wipe up dust and dirt. With the right cloth, you only need water.

I recently purchased a wide-screen LCD TV and was concerned about what to clean the screen with. I spent hours Googling the topic and here is a synopsis of what I found:

Another pretty good product to clean LCD screens with is a product called Clearview. It is an isopropyl alcohol based product which contains no ammonia. I tried it on my 40 inch LCD TV and it did a nice job on the screen.

Vinegar is not good for your LCD. I buy these little wipes at Wal-Mart in the electronics section. It is an alcohol solution in an individually wrapped packet. They work well and you get like 20 or 30 for $1.97 best of all they are good to leave in your laptop bag for on the go cleaning since they are individually packaged.

If its a larger amount of paint, you may have to buy a new LCD as removing a large amount of dried paint physically will damage the screen, and chemicals that dissolve the paint will probably melt everything, including the screen.

I was carrying my 32″ TV down to the basement and slipped on the stairs. The TV dragged across the white stair rail and left 2 large white paint marks on the LCD screen. I found your tip, tried the vinegar (it worked somewhat). I then tried the alcohol, in the mixture you stated. The alcohol worked great and left no marks whatsoever. You could never tell it happened. Thank you very much!!!

First, wipe with a damp cloth that has just a drop of Dawn on it, follow with a cloth with very little isopropyl alcohol (gets any fingerprints and smudges real good), and then follow with a dampened cloth of just water. Cloths I used were just cotton pillowcases.

I was able to clean my TV. I finally took it apart (literally). The whole screen, I separated the two plastics & just wiped and used a blow-dryer to dry the damp. It worked; the TV looks like nothing ever happened.

Why is there all this confusion???? I’ve been using wipes sold at Walmart that are specifically made to clean LCD screens and they’ve always worked great!!!

God, just spend a couple bucks for these. A lot of stores sell LCD wipes. I don’t understand why anyone would claim they damage your screen as they do not!! However-for badly spotted screens (made by soft drinks, etc), one might want to use something a bit more major. But for general cleaning, use the wipes.

I don’t recommend Monster cleaner like someone did; that stuff streaks to all heck and takes forever to come out. I made the mistake of using a damp paper cloth and though luckily, I haven’t scratched the TV screen at all, it left a little bit of white – what I’m assuming are paper towel bits – embedded into my screen. I’ve tried washing them out gently and rubbing them out and whatnot, but they just aren’t coming off. Any suggestions?

This is often the case with the internet and open forums like this. You have to remember that by posting or reading a forum like this, you are posting and reading to/from all who are doing the same thing. Not everyone who posts an answer will be an expert. So the one that is “RIGHT” is the one you think is “RIGHT” and that’s the problem; you have to have know the answer to know which one is “RIGHT,” otherwise it’s take your pick and hope the one you pick is OK. But I would always go with some form of logic and ask:

What is in most commercial cleaning LCD products? Answer: “NOT vinegar.” So most problems on the posts saying, “NOT vinegar,” are right. That said, if the screen is glass, then vinegar is good.

I did have to buy a General Electric LCD cleaner that came with a liquid solution and just applied the spray onto a special fiber that the cleaner had, and just wiped my 24″ LCD screen with circular motions all around the monitor. It looks just as if it were new, not even when sunlight hit the monitor did I ever see a stain or anything like it.

I just used Windex, sprayed on a paper towel, and now have swirls and smears on my screen. Is it okay to use the LCD wipes (i.e., will it resolve the problem)?

I just saw a video regarding this topic on YouTube. The person in the video advises isopropyl alcohol (90%) + distilled water (10%) mixture coupled with a sprayer and a cleaning cloth that is used for cleaning camera lenses.Bad idea. camera lenses are made of glass while LCD screens are plastic and need something not so strong.

I tried monster cleaner and it made a mess, taking three months to get the streaking mess off my TV. Windex doesn’t work; the best bet is distilled water and a microfiber towel. Monster is a rip-off big time, they changed it so it is no longer a good product.

Use a small bowl and put a drop of Dawn in it. Add warm water to create foam. Then, dip your microfiber cloth or what you use to clean your screen. Gently wipe, then take another damp rag to rinse it with just plain water, and dry. You have a clean screen. This is what Sony told me to do and it works. I have had no issues in three years of using this method.

I just sprayed antibacterial Pledge on my Sanyo LCD to dust it and the color in my tv is basically all green. I didn’t know there was a certain way to clean these TVs. Will the color go back to normal? What do I do?

Vinegar is an acid!! How can the internet be full of dumb people telling others to do this. If you clean your screens with vinegar, even if you dilute it, you will damage it in the long run. If you don’t have a product made for it, just use water.

Take a clean bowl. Put some vinegar in it. Add a touch, I mean one single drop, of regular Dawn in it. Use a good paper towel (not the scratchy brown ones) and use it on LCD. This will clean and smudges, dirt and most particles. Might have to give it a few wipes. Always dry ASAP after you use this method other wise it leave some streaks. As long as you clean and dry ASAP it will get your screen crystal clear.

Yes, LCD screens for computers or TVs are usually replaceable. There are also some easy methods you can use to try to fix the scratch yourself, such as with a pencil eraser, Vasaline, or a scratch repair kit.

I’m trying to read everything on this page. But, I cannot get the specific answer that I want. Sorry, but I do have a question and I want a relevant answer. The LCD on my laptop has a stain from hair dye, and I cannot remove it by using alcohol. I need help; any suggestions?

What you need to do is determine what products can be used to remove hair dye, then determine which of those products are safe to use on an LCD screen. Here is an article that lists some products that can remove hair dye stains from some surfaces: How to Remove Hair Dye from Towels. Look to see which of the ingredients you have, then search online to see if they are safe to use on an LCD screen.

I want everyone to know that vinegar on a LCD TV screen is an extremely bad idea as it will eventually cause a yellowish stain on the screen and it won’t come off, so FYI, never use vinegar on a LCD T.V screen. Use a glasses cleaner, or if you don’t have any, distilled water works too; just make sure you use the microfiber cloth that should come with the TV as it came with mine, and it works great on my screen, but use it only n the screen as using it on household appliances might ruin it and washing it might ruin it as well.

Well, I have a question about the caller ID window on my new Panasonic phone. I made a mistake and got a few drops of liniment and Cutter insect repellent on the clear caller ID window. Now, spots are on the front of it and nothing removes it. Does anyone have any idea how I can remove those spots? I am most appreciative of any help you may offer. Thanks.

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!

One of the most common questions I am asked, now that LCDs are in wide use, is how to clean one.  Every manufacturer has their recommended method.  What Envision recommends will ruin an NEC LCD and void your warranty.  As you will be able to tell, every LCD needs to be cleaned in a different way.

Another thing I learned from finding all this information is that every manufacturer has the same warning: Never touch or press on the LCD screen with your fingers – NEVER!!!  Doing so can cause the pixels to short out and die.  Then you will have blank spots on your LCD.

Here is the cleaning information I have gathered from various manufacturer’s web sites.  The text is taken verbatim from the manufacturer’s websites, “read-me” files, PDFs, and e-mails.

I called CTX tech support and was told the way to clean their LCDs was in the Technical Glossary and General FAQ.  I asked the guy to check that out and he said he couldn’t find it either.  He said to use very mild soap, tepid or lukewarm water, and a just slightly moist lint-free cloth.  This is supposed to be added to their General FAQ.

Discussion: A common cause for marks on the LCD is oil and dirt deposited on the keys of the keyboard that can get pressed against the LCD when carried in a carrying case or when pressure is applied to the lid.

There are many cleaners sold specifically as LCD cleaners. These are perfectly acceptable for cleaning LCDs on Dell notebooks.  If you do not wish to purchase one of these products designated specifically as an LCD cleanser, the following is a list of what is and is not acceptable for cleaning your LCD.

These cleaners might cause permanent damage to the LCD due to a chemical reaction. Some commercial window cleaners contain ammonia and are generally unacceptable.

Clean the computer’s built-in LCD display with a soft, clean cloth and one of the cleaners listed above or a commercial window cleaner that does not contain ammonia, wax, or abrasives. Apply the cleaner to the cloth, and then stroke the cloth across the display in one direction, moving from the top of the display to the bottom. If the display contains grease or some other contaminant, use a cloth with an acceptable cleaner listed above instead of a commercial window cleaner.

A. You can use Windex® to clean the screen and 409® clean the outer casing of the monitor. Please use a “soft” non-fibrous cloth to clean the screen. Do not use any paper products to clean the screen.

Shut down and unplug the computer and clean the LCD screen with a soft cloth moistened only with water. Wet the cloth, wipe the display, and then dry the screen with another soft cloth.

Gently dust the screen with a dry, soft, lint-free cloth. If the screen is still dirty, you can dampen the cloth with several drops of distilled water.  Make sure the LCD panel is completely dry before you turn the display back on.[/box]

Soak a soft gauze cloth with isopropyl alcohol or ethyl alcohol diluted with water (1:1) and gently wipe the surface of the monitor. Do not dust it or wipe it with a cloth dampened with pure water.

CAUTION: Never use pure water to clean the LCD screen. Do not use cleaning solutions containing fluoride, acids, or alkalis. Do not use ketone substances such as acetone or solvents such as xylene or toluene to clean the monitor. Do not use benzene, thinner, ammonia, or any volatile substance to clean the monitor’s screen or cabinet. These chemicals may damage the monitor.

This is the strangest one ever.  On March 21, 2003, I e-mailed every e-mail address I could find on Hyundai’s web sites.  I guess I threw them for a loop because I received a phone call from a Peter at AVC Tech USA.  That must be Hyundai’s USA distributor.  Peter told me that Hyundai has NO written instructions for cleaning their LCDs.  Quoting Peter this is what he told me to do: “use alcohol and soft cotton cloth and don’t run too hard”.

The display area is highly prone to scratching.  Do not use ketone-type cleaners (i.e. acetone), ethyl alcohol, toluene, ethyl acid or methyl chloride to clean the panel.  Doing so may result in permanent damage.

MAG was another hard one to get any information on.  On April 21, 2003, I finally received an e-mail response (I sent my first request for information back on January 21, 2003).  Here is the reply I received:

You can use regular Windex, just do not spray directly to monitor screen, spray to a soft rag or cloth and then wipe out gently, any other question please let us know and thank you for your time.

CAUTION: Do not use benzene or thinner or rubbing alcohol.  Doing so may adversely affect the surface, e.g. discoloration.  In addition, do not use commercially-available cleaners and cosmetics as they may contain components harmful to the surface.

Unplug the monitor, if you need to clean it with a slightly damp cloth. Wiping the screen with a dry cloth is possible when the power is off. However, never use alcohol, solvents, or ammonia-based liquids.

A: For normal cleaning, use the clean, soft, and fine. For extensive cleaning, please use Isopropyl alcohol. Do not use other solvents such as ethyl alcohol, ethanol, acetone, hexane, etc.

If still not clean, apply a small amount of non-ammonia, non-alcohol based glass cleaner onto a clean, soft, lint-free cloth, and wipe the screen with only slight pressure. Too much pressure may damage the screen.

If still not clean, apply a small amount of a non-ammonia, non-alcohol based, mild non-abrasive detergent onto a clean, soft, lint-free cloth, then wipe the surface.

NOTE: You, the customer, are solely responsible for data security. WinBook strongly recommends that you perform a backup of all personal data contained on your system prior to performing this procedure. Warning: WinBook will NOT be held responsible for any data loss incurred during this process.

A: We recommend that you use a cleaner specifically designed for electronic equipment to clean the case and, if necessary, a separate cleaner specifically designed for cleaning LCD Panels. This should be used in conjunction with a soft, lint-free cloth.

A: Any cleaning solution should be applied to the cloth. Under no circumstances should you spray the cleaner directly onto the machine. The excess cleaner may find its way into sensitive areas of the machine and can cause severe damage.

A: In general, the answer to this question is yes. Most cleaners that are satisfactory for cleaning the case of your WinBook are not satisfactory for cleaning the LCD panel. You should look for a cleaner that is specifically designed and labeled for cleaning LCD screens.

A: You SHOULD NOT use any sort of harsh solvents to clean your WinBook. This includes fingernail polish remover, alcohol, turpentine, gasoline, lighter fluid, acetone, paint thinner, mineral spirits, kerosene, ammonia, dishwashing soap, glass cleaner, vinegar, or any other commonly found household cleaner.

Q: Where can I get these cleaners that I need to use on my WinBook?A: Most good computer stores will carry these cleaning supplies. Also, they may be found at local electronics stores or office supply stores.

Keeping your precious rugged LCD monitors or LED screens clean and tidy can be challenging. This is especially true if you happen to have handsy young children who like to touch everything or pets running amuck in your household or even if you happen to work in a particularly messy environment such as a construction site or restaurant. Sometimes, rogue bits of debris can attach themselves to your electronic devices and while this is entirely out of your control for the most part, there are a few effective and harmless cleaning solutions you can put into practice to keep your electronics clean and running smoothly. Continue reading to learn about helpful tips for cleaning your LCD and LED screens without causing internal or external damage.

Before you can get down to the cleaning part, you need to prepare your LCD or LED screen in order to reduce the risk of liquids penetrating the surface and causing internal damage. Keep in mind that modern screens might technically include higher end features than the old school CRT screens from your childhood, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re more durable. In fact, modern LCD and LED screens are actually a lot more fragile and easily susceptible to damage if they’re not cared for properly. To prepare the screen for cleaning, make sure you shut down the system entirely, disconnect it from its power source, and then let it cool down for a few minutes. This will reduce the risk of electrocution and it’ll make it easier to clean the screen without resulting in annoying and unattractive streaks.

Occasionally, you’ll have to contend with a tough spot, streak, or fingerprint marking that takes a little extra effort to clean. If this happens, don’t panic and definitely don’t press down harder with a cloth or try to scrape it off with your fingernails or any other tool as this can cause severe damage to the top layer or anti-gloss coating. The best thing to do is use a non-abrasive cleaning solution such as isopropyl alcohol that’s diluted with either pure or distilled water. Spray the solution onto a microfiber cloth and gently wipe down the area in either an up and down or side to side motion. Applying too much pressure to even the most rugged touchscreen can compromise its limited durability.

There are a few types of cleaning cloths you can use to wipe down your rugged LCD monitor either at home or at work. The most recommended one is microfiber cloth for a multitude of reasons. First, microfiber is a state-of-the-art technological development that’s a thin and soft, yet strong enough material to thoroughly clean your electronic devices without risking damaging them in any way. Most of the time, computer and flatscreen TV manufacturers provide microfiber cloths with their products along with a specific set of maintenance and cleaning instructions. Microfiber cloths are immune to collecting or spreading lint across your screen, and because of the intricate way in which the minuscule fibers are intertwined these cloths are able to trap larger quantities of dirt and dust without leaving streaks. You can also use a cotton tea towel, a cotton t-shirt, or cotton handkerchief if you’re in a bind and don’t have microfiber cloths on hand.

This point can’t be emphasized enough. Even though it may seem like common sense that electronic devices shouldn’t come into direct contact with any liquids (especially if they’re still plugged in), not everyone seems to think so and many people have made the mistake of spraying cleaning agents onto their devices. The safer and smarter way to clean any rackmount LCD display is by first wiping it down with a dry cloth and then spraying a small amount of the cleaning solution onto a different cloth and wiping it down gently. After you do this, wipe it down with a clean dry cloth to remove any remaining liquid.

Always avoid using ammonia or rubbing alcohol based cleaners on your touchscreen devices. The devices themselves might be constructed with the capability to withstand most types of damages, but certain features they possess aren’t. Ammonia and rubbing alcohol can irreparably strip away or damage the extremely delicate anti-glare coating on the screen, which will not only negatively alter your viewing experience but also make your device a lot harder to use in strong sunlight.

Dust that settles between the gaps in the screen where the bezel and the top layer of glass or plastic meet can penetrate deeper and cause internal damage to your device. Regularly using a vacuum with a soft-bristled brush (to prevent scratching) can help you keep your device clean and free of any issues.

For extra measure, you can also spray the surface of your screen, computer keyboard, or even the vent on the back of the device with a can of compressed air to blast away any lingering and stubborn debris or dust. If any of it lands on the surface of the device, make sure to gently wipe it away with a clean cloth to prevent it from making its way back into your device. Implementing this cleaning method on a regular basis will ultimately help to guarantee the longevity and functionality of your device.

Nauticomp Inc. is the proud designer, manufacturer and distributor of countless rugged LCD and LED monitors and displays. We’ve been working in the technological industry for more than 20 years and supply a variety of businesses including marine bases, military bases, restaurants, casinos, retail stores, shopping centers, and healthcare facilities with durable and high-quality LED and LCD displays that serve a wide range of purposes. For more information about our company or our products, please feel free to contact us.

Industrial LCD displays and computer monitors are generally very low maintenance, but they do need a good cleaning every once in a while to make the viewing experience more enjoyable and extend their lifespan. But it’s important that you learn the proper ways to clean LCD screens to avoid damaging them in the process. Keep reading to learn how to clean a monitor screen the right way, so that you can get the most use out of it and remove smudges, dirt, and germs.

Cleaning your computer screen the wrong way could actually damage it and lead to expensive repairs or replacements. To avoid this type of headache, here are some tips on how to clean a monitor screen the right way.

Computers usually come with special care instructions from the manufacturers that explain in detail the proper ways to care for your device and keep it clean. Before setting up your device, make sure to read through the care instructions carefully and follow them closely. If you have any questions or need further assistance, you can contact the manufacturer directly.

Make sure to turn the monitor off before you start cleaning it as wiping it with a damp cloth while it’s on can damage the pixels. Plus, it’s easier to see the dust, smudges, and dust particles when the screen is off and completely black. That way, you can make sure you get a thorough clean without damaging the screen. Turning off touchscreen devices before cleaning is also highly recommended so you can avoid accidental touches that perform the wrong actions or functions.

LCD screens have protective anti-glare and anti-reflective coatings on them to improve visibility. Touchscreens also have oleophobic coatings that prevent fingerprint oil smudges from appearing on the screen. Store-bought glass cleaners contain harsh chemicals such as alcohol and ammonia, which can penetrate the surface of the screen and severely damage its internal mechanism after wearing down the protective coatings. It’s best to stay away from using household cleaners on your industrial LCD displays unless you have the greenlight from the manufacturer.

Canned air is incredibly effective at blasting away dust particles, crumbs, hairs, and any other organic materials that can become stuck to your screen or lodged between the keys on your keyboard. This prevents the particles from scratching the surface of the screen.

Microfiber cloths are also a great option because they usually have grooves that gently capture and remove stuck-on particles while also removing smudges on the screen without damaging them.

If blasting the screen with canned air or wiping it down with a microfiber cloth doesn’t work, then your next best option is cleaning it with distilled water. Unlike tap water, distilled water isn’t fortified with mineral deposits that can scratch or damage industrial display monitors. Many manufacturers advise against spraying the water directly onto the screen for obvious reasons. Instead, spray a small amount onto a microfiber cloth until it’s just damp and gently spot wipe the parts of the display that need it.

Some manufacturers of industrial computer monitors also sell special screen cleaners that are meant to go along with their products. If you’re lucky, they might even be included with your original purchase. These are light cleaning solutions that effectively remove dirt, grime, and dust from your screen for optimal functionality and usability. After applying a cleaning solution to your screen, make sure to let it dry completely before resuming usage. Otherwise, you’re just going to smudge the screen again if it’s a touchscreen.

For more tips on how to clean a monitor screen and keep it in tiptop shape, contact Nauticomp Inc. We’re one of the leading suppliers of industrial computer monitors and displays around the globe.

Use a non abrasive cleaning solution, diluting isopropyl alcohol (not rubbing alcohol, as it may contain oil) into a solution of 50% alcohol and 50% with distilled water water (or purified/bottled water). You could also buy a cleaning solution that does not contain bleach, ammonia, or vinegar.

Before you start, power-off and unplug your monitor. Spray the cleaning solution on a soft cloth (for example an old T-shirt), lint-free microfiber cloth, or some other very soft cloth. A large cloth is best, since it will help reducing the risk of leaving streaks across the display from finger pressure.

Starting from the top, wipe the screen in one direction until you have cleaned the entire screen. Apply light, but distributed pressure. Repeat if necessary. Let it air dry.

My phone screen picks up the usual fingerprint smudges, but there is a band where the swipe keyboard appears that is particularly bad. Rubbing with phone screen cleaning wipes and glasses cleaning clothes does not remove the smudges from this band.

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.

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.

Before you give into your impulses and wipe your screen with whatever you have at hand, let us stop you right there. Your display is way more delicate than you think, and if you want it to last a long time in optimal conditions, you’ll need to treat it with proper love and care.

The good news is that cleaning a computer screen is more simple than you think. You only need a soft cloth, a tiny bit of water, and the most delicate of touches.

As you would expect, not all screens are created equal, and some are more delicate than others. The safest way to figure out the proper care for your screen is to search for the make and model of your device, find out if it has an LCD, LED, or some other type of display, and search for the manufacturer’s instructions on how to care for it.

If you want to skip all that, there’s an easy way to avoid making a mistake that might not only result in irreparable damage to your screen but to your entire device. According to Joe Silverman, owner of New York Computer Help, a tech repair center in New York City, no matter how much money you spent on your computer or tablet, it probably has an LED or an LCD screen if you bought it within the last three years—and neither type benefits from window cleaner or highly concentrated alcohol.

That’s the uppermost layer of your screen, which is extremely sensitive to the acidity in alcohol and in compounds like ammonia or propylene glycol. These are often present in cleaning agents such as window cleaners and degreasers. Using these liquids will corrode the surface of your screen, resulting in scratches or even smudges you won’t be able to get rid of.

“Underneath there it’s the most intelligent part of the laptop,” Silverman explains. “What happens is that the liquid will get through that first line of defense, and when it does that it’s going to really affect the sensors.”

Things get even trickier when you’re dealing with touchscreens. On models like the Microsoft Surface, the display is the main input—as opposed to your mouse or trackpad on a regular laptop—so it’s ultra-sensitive, Silverman says. Using a strong liquid cleaner like a degreaser or a bleach-based disinfectant can obliterate the top layer on the screen. Combine that with high pressure, and you can kiss your fancy touchscreen computer goodbye.

Another downside to newer computers is their size and weight. If you decided to splurge on a new laptop, for example, you probably found one that has top-notch components, but also a slick, lightweight design. This format is only possible if everything in your laptop is smaller and thinner. In the case of your display, a thinner screen means a weaker barrier between your computer’s guts and the elements in the outside world.

Caring for your screen is simple—it only takes a little bit of water and a dust-free cloth, such as a microfiber wipe or the piece of fabric that came with your glasses.

First, turn off your computer and disconnect the charger. This might sound paranoid, but the benefit is twofold—you avoid any chance of triggering an electrical surge, and your screen will remain black, which will make it easier to see any dirt and grime.

Pour a couple drops of water on your cloth. Forget paper towels or the sleeve of that soft cotton t-shirt you love—microfiber is your best bet. Still, no matter how soft it is, a dry wipe could always leave micro-abrasions on your screen. The moisture will also help gather dust and particles while lifting grease from your display.

Use circular motions starting in the center of your screen and moving outward, so you don’t leave any streaks. If you can see any droplets or water traces on the glass while you clean, you’ve used way too much water. Gently dab the residual H2O with an absorbent cloth or tissue paper and start again.

If you’re dealing with next-level gunk, you can use isopropyl alcohol at 70 percent or lower, Silverman says. “That percentage is very important,” he explains. “We’d only use 90 percent or higher on dummy parts that don’t have sensors, like top cases and keyboards.” In these extreme cases, spray the alcohol on the cloth, never directly on the screen, and wipe it gently.

Just like solar damage, screen damage is cumulative. The more pressure you apply, the more abrasive a product you use, and the more often you use it, the greater the damage you’re inflicting on the protective layer of your display and the delicate sensors underneath it.

Maybe you can get away with using a high percentage of alcohol or even a window cleaner on your computer screen once or twice. But if you keep at it, eventually you’ll see the deleterious effects.

“You’ll see discoloration, lines (vertical and horizontal); sometimes it looks pretty and rainbow-like,” Silverman says. “Sometimes it’ll blink and sometimes you’ll see droplets of water or liquid in the back of the screen. There’s a lot of ways in which damage appears.”

The best way to avoid damaging your screen while cleaning it is to simply keep it from getting dirty in the first place. If you have a laptop, cover the keyboard with a thin microfiber cloth before closing it to prevent finger grease from transferring to the screen. If you have a touchscreen, wash your hands often before you use it, but make sure you let your hands dry completely before you start tapping—the soapy water or liquid hand cleanser from your fingers can easily end up on the screen and corrode it.

Wet, newly washed hands can also be detrimental to regular computers. Silverman says he often sees such victims in his shop—computers completely dead after hand sanitizer rubbed off the owner’s hands, seeped through the keyboard, and ruined the inner guts of the machine.

Your phone was designed to be carried, dropped, tapped, swiped, smashed against your face for long periods of time, and stowed in the deepest corners of your bag. In other words, its screen is way more resilient than your computer’s.

Silverman explains that most iPhones and Samsung phones, for example, have screens made out of one thick piece of glass. These, as opposed to computer screens, have all the LCD layers fused together, making them much more difficult to damage. Still, if you’re using alcohol, he recommends keeping the concentration at 70 percent or lower, using a soft cloth, and applying only low pressure to get rid of any accumulated gunk there.

Be especially careful with charging ports, as contact with water (also present in rubbing alcohol) can damage the electronics inside your smartphone. Newer models often are resistant to liquids, but there’s always a threshold to how much they can withstand. And you probably don’t want to know what that is.

Replacing the screen of your computer or smartphone can be expensive, and even if that’s not an issue for you, no one wants their devices to fail when they need them the most. So remember these tips well—we hope you never have to read this article again.

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As the weather warms, it"s time for everyone"s "favorite" pastime: spring cleaning. While you"re dusting off the shelves and shoveling out a winter"s worth of detritus, spare a moment to check your TV. Dust and grime can accumulate there, and over time it can become more and more noticeable. And if you have children, there may be an array of fingerprints and other smears on the screen.

The short version? Don"t use liquids, don"t press too hard, don"t use any traditional cleaners. Microfiber cloths are good, but be gentle. Modern TVs are predominantly plastic and therefore far easier to scratch than windows or your phone.

Want the longer version? Here"s what the top TV manufacturers say about cleaning their screens:Cleaning your 4K, OLED, or LED TV screen with a soft, dry cloth is recommended. The goal here is to avoid scratching the screen. Gentle, circular motions tend to give better results, since the circular motion hits each area from several angles in a single swipe.

To clean the frame and screen, gently wipe it with a microfiber cleaning cloth. Make sure to wipe the TV frame and screen as gently as possible. TV screens are fragile and can be damaged when pressed too hard.

Important: Never use any type of window cleaner, soap, scouring powder, wax, or any cleanser with solvents such as alcohol, benzene, ammonia, or acetone. Never use abrasive pads or paper towels. If you do, you can scratch the screen or strip the anti-glare coating off the screen and cause permanent damage. Never spray water directly onto the TV. Make sure to wipe the TV as gently as possible. TV screens are fragile and can be damaged when pressed too hard.Gently wipe the screen or the exterior with a dry, soft cloth, such as an eyeglass cleaner.

For inks from oil markers on the screen, soak a cloth in a non-soap synthetic cleanser diluted (by less than 1% ) with water. Squeeze the cloth tightly to eliminate excess liquid, then wipe gently to remove the ink. Use non-soap cleansers cautiously because it may cause environmental problems when disposed improperly.

So why not Windex? Regular Windex is formulated for glass windows, plus a few other surfaces. It contains ammonia and alcohol, not the friendliest of chemicals. S. C. Johnson doesn"t explicitly say not to use Windex on TVs, but it offers Windex Electronics wipes and cleaners, so infer what you will. The better screen cleaners will clearly state that they do not contain alcohol or ammonia.

At last count, I found a billion companies making TV screen cleaners. Almost all of these are something like 99 percent water, 1 percent other stuff. Years ago I tested a handful and found them, on average, to work well enough. If you don"t have luck with a simple cloth and possibly distilled water, a screen cleaner is worth a try, and as a bonus you can also use it for your laptop, tablet and cell phone screens. Plus, they come with a microfiber cloth. If they don"t clearly state they don"t contain alcohol and ammonia, however, I would skip them.

So yeah, cleaning your TV is a good idea. But just remember that they"re exceptionally fragile. Why risk marring their surface by using cleaning methods the companies themselves don"t advise? If you damage your screen with cleaners, you won"t be able to fix it.

My advice? Get a nice microfiber cloth (if your TV didn"t come with one), and use that. If that doesn"t fix your smudges, try a cloth moist with water. Don"t press too hard. There"s less than a millimeter between your finger and a broken TV.

Screen cleaning kits are fine, though most people won"t need them. Remember, like all TV accessories, the store is selling them because they probably make more profit on that $20 kit than on a $500 TV.

As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000 mile road trips, and more. Check out Tech Treks for all his tours and adventures.