sanitizing touch screen monitors free sample

During these unprecedented times, it is crucial to stay up to date with any and all methods to stay healthy. Here at TRU-Vu, we value our customers’ health and safety. For this reason, we have put together some guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting TRU-Vu touch screen monitors.  This can be achieved without causing any damage to the touch screen

Avoid using abrasive cloths, such as rags or paper towels, as they can spread lint and/or even damage the screen. Instead, use only non-abrasive cloths, such as soft lint-free cloth, in order to avoid scratching the monitor.

Dampen a new clean, non-abrasive cloth with a disinfectant recommended by the CDC: a household bleach solution (1/3 cup of bleach per gallon of water) or Isopropyl alcohol ( 71% to 85% alcohol). Be sure to squeeze any excess liquid off of the cloth. Do not spray the solution directly onto the touch screen.

Apply the solution to a soft cleaning cloth; do not spray directly onto the touch screen. Wear gloves during the cleaning process. Finally, discard both the gloves and the cleaning cloth following the cleaning process.

Certainly, If you have any questions, or require further assistance with cleaning your TRU-Vu touch screen monitor, please contact us at #847-259-2344.

With over 540 LCD monitors and touch screens on our site, selecting the ideal equipment, or touch screen solution may be a bit overwhelming.To help narrow-down the choices, check out ourAdvanced Search Tool.For example, this enables you filter by your own specific search requirements.

The CDC recommends using disinfecting wipes to clean the outside of your touch screen kiosk and surroundings, as well as high-touch areas. A readily available option is the Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. (Be sure they do not contain bleach or other chemicals that can damage the display or paint, and do not use on the touchscreen)

Follow the steps below to safely clean a touch screen to remove oils, dirt, grime, and germs.  Please keep in mind that some self-service kiosks have different types of touch screens, so we will go over 4 of the most common kiosk touch-screen types.

Please make sure that you have the correct touchscreen before following the steps. If done incorrectly, the touchscreen monitors may be damaged. If you aren’t sure which type of touchscreen you have, please see your product manual or ask your project manager how to clean a touch screen properly.

(See section 3.0 for more cleaning details)Using a soft cloth (microfiber) dampened with isopropyl alcohol or a mild non-abrasive soap & water solution, gently wipe the touchscreen clean. You can also use a small amount of hand sanitizer. Be careful not to saturate the infrared bezel around the outside frame of the monitor.

(See section 3.0 for more cleaning details)Using a soft cloth (microfiber) dampened with isopropyl alcohol or a mild non-abrasive soap & water solution, gently wipe the touchscreen clean. You can also use a small amount of hand sanitizer. Be careful not to saturate the infrared bezel around the outside frame of the monitor.

(See section 3.0 for more cleaning details)Using a soft cloth (microfiber) dampened with isopropyl alcohol or a mild non-abrasive soap & water solution, gently wipe the touchscreen clean. You can also use a small amount of hand sanitizer. Be careful not to saturate the infrared bezel around the outside frame of the monitor.

(See section 3.0 for more cleaning details)Using a soft cloth (microfiber) dampened with isopropyl alcohol or a mild non-abrasive soap & water solution, gently wipe the touchscreen clean. You can also use a small amount of hand sanitizer. Be careful not to saturate the infrared bezel around the outside frame of the monitor.

(See section 3.0 for more cleaning details)Using a soft cloth (microfiber) dampened with isopropyl alcohol or a mild non-abrasive soap & water solution, gently wipe the touchscreen clean. You can also use a small amount of hand sanitizer. Be careful not to saturate the infrared bezel around the outside frame of the monitor.

A resistive touch screen monitor is composed of a glass panel and a film screen, each covered with a thin metallic layer, separated by a narrow gap. When a user touches the screen, the two metallic layers make contact, resulting in electrical flow. The point of contact is detected by this change in voltage.

Be sure the cloth is only slightly dampened, not wet. Never apply cleaner directly to the touch panel surface; if the cleaner is spilled onto the touch panel, soak it up immediately with an absorbent cloth.

In a Surface Capacitive touchscreen, there is a transparent electrode layer on the top of a glass panel, and covered by a protective layer. When an exposed finger touches the monitor screen, it reacts to the static electrical capacity of the human body, which allows the screen to pinpoint the position of the finger.

Be sure the cloth is only slightly dampened, not wet. Never apply cleaner directly to the touch panel surface; if the cleaner is spilled onto the touch panel, soak it up immediately with absorbent cloth.

A projected Capacitive Touchscreen is similar to Surface Capacitive, but it offers two primary advantages. In addition to a bare finger, it can also be activated with surgical gloves or thin cotton gloves, and it enables multi-touch activation (simultaneous input from two fingers). When a finger comes into contact with the screen, the ratios of the electrical currents change and the computer is able to detect the touch points. This touchscreen is simpler to clean, as it has solid glass on top.

Using a soft cloth (microfiber) dampened with isopropyl alcohol or a mild non-abrasive soap & water solution, gently wipe the touchscreen clean. You can also use a small amount of hand sanitizer.

SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) touch screen monitors utilize a series of transducers and receivers along the sides of the monitor’s glass plate to create an invisible grid of ultrasonic waves on the surface. When the panel is touched, a portion of the wave is absorbed. This allows the receiving transducer to locate the touch point and send this data to the computer. SAW monitors can be activated by a finger, gloved hand, or soft-tip stylus.This touchscreen is also simple to clean, as it is solid glass on top.

Using a soft cloth (microfiber) dampened with isopropyl alcohol or a mild non-abrasive soap & water solution, gently wipe the touchscreen clean. You can also use a small amount of hand sanitizer.

Infrared touch screen monitors do not overlay the display with an additional screen or screen sandwich. Instead, infrared monitors use IR emitters and receivers to create an invisible grid of light beams across the screen. When an object interrupts the invisible infrared light beam, the sensors are able to locate the touch point. This touchscreen has a glass screen, but there is normally a bezel around the outside that needs to be watched out for during use and cleaning.

Using a soft cloth (microfiber) dampened with isopropyl alcohol or a mild non-abrasive soap & water solution, gently wipe the touchscreen clean. You can also use a small amount of hand sanitizer.

Be careful not to saturate the infrared bezel around the outside frame of the monitor. If solution gets in, it can damage the touchscreen functionality.

If all of the steps have been completed according to the above instructions, your kiosk touchscreen should be cleaned correctly. If there are any other errors that aren’t allowing you access to your kiosk, check the rest of the Knowledgebase, or open a technical support ticket HERE.

The 5 Types Of Touch Screen Technology. Which One Is Best For You?”Tru-Vu Monitors,www.controldesign.com/assets/14WPpdf/1407TouchScreenBasicsComparisons.pdf

“Touch Panels – Cleaning Information.”Resistive Touch Panel Cleaning Information – Fujitsu United States,www.fujitsu.com/us/products/devices/components/touch-panels/information/cleaning-info.html.

The surface of the projected capacitive touch screen is covered by 7H hardness glass. In the point of view of chemistry, the glass is not only durable, but also highly cleanable.

All the three disinfectants can be used on the glass surface of the touchscreen monitors. However, the chlorine bleach is irritating to respiratory tract, so it is safe to be diluted to 500 ppm which needs a longer residence time to effectively eliminate viruses. Therefore, we recommend using 75% alcohol or 70% isopropyl alcohol to rapidly sanitize the touchscreen monitors for indoor use.

We live in a touchscreen society. From ATMs and grocery store checkouts to airport ticket kiosks and fast-food self-serve ordering stations, there are public touchscreen kiosks and point-of-service (POS) touchpads everywhere. They’re popular because they offer exceptional convenience, allowing people to quickly get the information or item they want without having to wait for human assistance.

The novel coronavirus may survive on some surfaces up to (and perhaps longer than) nine days — and you can catch COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, simply by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth. So, it may seem counterintuitive that touchscreen technology can actually enhance safety and deliver peace of mind. But that’s the case if proper care is taken to ensure these surfaces are free of contaminants.

“Using properly cleaned touch kiosks and POS systems rather than interacting with humans is good practice in terms of limiting the spread of germs, even without the specter of coronavirus,” explained ICS CEO Peter Winston. “For instance, using a credit card and touchpad at the grocery store, or Apple Pay on your phone, means you don’t have to hand the cashier cash. Not only is the currency filthy, but the cashier’s hands may be as well — even if they’re periodically cleaned using alcohol-based hand sanitizer. And you can also sufficiently distance yourself, which is essential when not every person out in public is wearing a protective mask.”

Of course, the benefits of avoiding humans in favor of touchscreens only pan out if those screens are cleaned often.(In the current environment, “often” translates to “between every customer.”) Here’s why.

Even though touchscreen technology is providing consumers with desired convenience, touchscreens and touchpads can be vectors of infectious diseases (if not cleaned properly). Scientists have found a plethora of bacteria on touchscreens, from staphylococcus, which causes nasty and often antibiotic-resistant infections, to Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), which causes a soaring number of hospital-acquired infections. (According to the World Health Organization, 99,000 deaths annually in the U.S. are attributed to HCAIs at a cost of $6.5 billion.)

London Metropolitan University in 2018 found that touchscreens in some McDonald’s restaurants carried traces of feces. “It is a serious issue since most customers eat immediately after placing their order and grabbing their bag of chicken nuggets and fries,” Winston said. “Of course, the problem is not unique to McDonald"s. It applies to any outlet that sells food that will be eaten without utensils. Hungry customers are extremely unlikely to not wash their hands after touching the ordering kiosk and before eating their food.”

And, the issue is not unique to food service. Research by Insurance Quotes found an average of 253,857 colony-forming germ units per square inch on airport check-in screens. Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) bacteria, even  listeria, have been found on public screens, including those in many hospitals. An E. faecalis infection may cause fever, fatigue, headache, chills, vomiting, and diarrhea. And in more severe cases, can lead to meningitis or urinary tract infections. Listeria in pregnant women, if left untreated, can cause miscarriages and stillbirths.

And, let’s not forget that the germs that cause colds and flu — and the potentially deadly COVID-19 — easily can be spread by touching a surface like a touchscreen that has respiratory droplets on it and then touching your face.

If you’re using a touchscreen, the focus should be on frequent and effective hand washing, as well as disinfecting personal items like credit cards and mobile phones (especially mobile phones, which harbor 10x the germs of toilet seats!) after use. Here’s a helpful tutorial on how to clean your phone without damaging its oleophobic and hydrophobic coatings, which prevent water and oil from damaging the display. (If you have an iPhone, Apple recommends using a 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes to gently wipe hard, nonporous surfaces. Avoid bleach.)

If your business owns customer or employee-facing touchscreens — information kiosks, pay-at-the-table credit card processors, handheld and fixed-tablet POS touchscreen systems — the cleaning task is more involved as this equipment rarely gets the same level of sanitation attention as other surfaces in a facility, such as counter tops.

Proper touchscreen cleaning requires a frequent sanitizing protocol using suitable disinfectants and cleansers that will not harm your valuable devices. Jeff LeBlanc, Director of User Experience at touchscreen kiosk manufacturer Advanced Kiosks, says the company tell its customers that hand sanitizer can be used to clean almost all monitors and components to ensure a clean touchscreen. “We recommend they use a damp cloth to wipe the monitor. They’re told not to saturate the cloth or surface of the monitor or any components, and to avoid any openings or ports.”

LeBlanc’s firm developed detailed instructions on how to safely clean a variety of touchscreen monitor types, including surface acoustic wave, projected capacitative and infrared. For instance surface capacitative touchscreens, commonly found in retail environments, have a transparent electrode layer on the top of a glass panel, covered by a protective layer. “When an exposed finger touches the monitor screen, it reacts to the static electrical capacity of the human body, which allows the screen to pinpoint the position of the finger,” LeBlanc said.

Be sure the cloth is only slightly dampened, not wet. Never apply cleaner directly to the touch panel surface; if the cleaner is spilled onto the touch panel, soak it up immediately with absorbent cloth.

“Regardless of the type of customer-facing touchscreen your business utilizes, as the owner the onus is on you to make sure your restaurant’s Coke Freestyle beverage dispenser or your bodega’s digital cash register or your fuel franchise’s gasoline pump — or any other public screen you control — is clean and ready for customer use,” Winston said.

“Touchscreens are of immense benefit to businesses, their customers and their employees in terms of convenience, ease of use and easy access to essential information," Winston stressed. "Let’s make sure they don’t become a source of anxiety or disease transmission.”

But, not everything gets the attention it needs when it comes to cleanliness.It"s essential that we clean ourtouchscreens as much as we clean our hands.

4. Use your best judgment and clean your screens as often as you feel is necessary to protect yourself your employees and prevent the spread of disease.

Do you remember the last time you cleaned the screen of your smartphone or tablet?If the answer is never or you can"t remember, you may want to keep reading.

Unless you"re washing your hands every time before and after touching your phone, tablet, or laptop screen, any bacteria or germs that may be on your hands can spread to that surface.

When business is booming, it"s unreasonable to ask cashiers, wait staff, bartenders, managers, or anyone else who may use the POS system to wash their hands before touching the screen every time.

Don"t use abrasive cloths, paper towels, or tissue paper that can easily scratch the touchscreen. Scratches may be minor, but they can worsen over time, damaging and dulling the screen. Use microfiber cloths instead, which are specially designed to clean sensitive surfaces. We"ll talk more about this later.

Don"t press too hard while cleaning the screen and damage your device. Use light continuous wiping to avoid permanent damage to the screen"s functionality.

Let"s start with your POS system. To effectively clean and disinfect these screens, you"ll first need to make or purchase a cleaning solution consisting of 80% alcohol and 20% water.

Power off the system and unplug it from the wall. Eliminate any residual static electricity from the computer by touching a metal part of the case, not any inside components. It is essential to clear this static electricity first to prevent a shock to yourself or damage to the machine.

Spray your cloth with the cleaning solution. DO NOT spray the cleaning solution directly on the screen. The liquid concentration could soak between the thin layers and cause black spots to appear on the screen.

With a circular motion, gently wipe the screen surface to remove any dirt or residue from the glass. Using a circular motion can help prevent streaking.

Make sure that you have the correct touchscreen before following the below steps. It is important to follow the correct procedures for sanitizing your touchscreen in order to maximize their lifespan without damage. In case you are not sure which type of touchscreen you have, check your product manual or get in touch with specialists.

Resistive technology has one of the best reputations for durability. Resistive touch panels go through a series of processes when they are being built, including a hot hydrochloric acid bath, followed by a hot lye bath. These screens are able to withstand opposite ends of the pH balance, which makes them resilient.

Never apply cleaner directly to the touch panel surface; if the cleaner is spilled onto the touch panel, soak it up immediately with an absorbent cloth.

The cleaner must be neither acidic nor alkaline (neutral pH). Never use organic chemicals such as paint thinner, acetone, toluene, xylene, propy, isopropyl alcohol or kerosene. Use of incorrect cleaners can result in optical impairment of touch panel and/or damage to functionality.

PCAP technology is even more durable, thanks to being built with a glass cover. Cover glass has countless advantages including an incredible lifespan. Speaking from a chemical standpoint, glass is virtually indestructible; PCAP screens can withstand both industrial chemicals and household products such as acetone, hexane, laundry detergent, etc.

Using a soft microfiber cloth dampened with a 50% isopropyl alcohol mixed in 50% water solution, or a disinfectant product such as a small amount of hand sanitizer gently wipe the touchscreen clean. Ammonia based glass cleaners (typically 5-10% ammonia), 1: 100 bleach: water solution, or 75% alcohol can also be used to clean the surface of PCAP touch screens.

SAW touchscreens is also simple to sanitize, as it has solid glass on top. For touchscreens on SAW technology you must follow the same disinfecting steps as for PCAP touch screens.

Using a soft microfiber cloth dampened with a 50% isopropyl alcohol mixed in 50% water solution, or a disinfectant product such as a small amount of hand sanitizer gently wipe the touchscreen clean. Ammonia based glass cleaners (typically 5-10% ammonia), 1: 100 bleach: water solution, or 75% alcohol can also be used to clean the surface of PCAP touch screens.

IR touchscreen might have a glass screen plus a bezel that needs to be watched out for during cleaning and disinfecting. Learn more detail on IR technology here.

Using a soft microfiber cloth dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol gently wipe the touchscreen clean. You can also use a small amount of hand sanitizer.

Be careful not to saturate the infrared bezel around the outside frame of the monitor. If solution gets in, it can damage the touchscreen functionality.

Using a dry portion of the microfiber cloth, gently wipe the touch screen and edges off to remove any lingering cleaning solution. Give the screen a minute or two to air dry, and then wipe it off with the dry portion of the cloth once more.

Once the screen is completely dry, plug it back in and turn it on. Let the device stand for half an hour to let the alcohol residue to evaporate, before using the device again.

Wash the microfiber cloth. To wash the microfiber cloth, soak it in warm, soapy water. The warm water serves to open the fibers and release the grime that may have gathered. Make sure you wash it without a fabric softener, as that can transfer a film to the touch screen, and contradict what you are trying to accomplish. Scrub the cloth lightly while soaking it (not too hard or you will damage the cloth). After soaking, avoid squeezing out any excess water, let the cloth out to air dry or just blow dry it.

While governments and health care system across the globe are trying to stop the spreading of COVID-19 and control pandemic outbreaks, it is important to ensure touchscreens are cleaned and disinfected regularly.

Most touchscreens are highly sensitive to chemicals applied to them. Which is why, it is important to follow the correct procedures for cleaning and disinfecting the touchscreen in order to avoid damage.

Resistive touch panels go through a series of processes when they are being built, including a hot hydrochloric acid bath, followed by a hot lye bath. Resistive technology screens are able to withstand opposite ends of the pH balance, which makes them resilient.

PCAP technology is even more durable, thanks to being built with a glass cover. Speaking from a chemical standpoint, glass is virtually indestructible; PCAP screens can withstand both industrial chemicals and household products such as acetone, hexane, laundry detergent, etc.

Using a soft microfiber cloth dampened with a 50% isopropyl alcohol mixed in 50% water solution, or a disinfectant product such as a small amount of hand sanitizer gently wipe the touchscreen clean. Ammonia based glass cleaners (typically 5-10% ammonia), 1: 100 bleach: water solution, or 75% alcohol can also be used to clean the surface of PCAP touch screens.

SAW touchscreens is also simple to sanitize, as it has solid glass on top. For touchscreens on SAW technology you must follow the same disinfecting steps as for PCAP touch screens.

Using a soft microfiber cloth dampened with a 50% isopropyl alcohol mixed in 50% water solution, or a disinfectant product such as a small amount of hand sanitizer gently wipe the touchscreen clean. Ammonia based glass cleaners (typically 5-10% ammonia), 1: 100 bleach: water solution, or 75% alcohol can also be used to clean the surface of PCAP touch screens.

IR touchscreen might have a glass screen plus a bezel that needs to be watched out for during cleaning and disinfecting. Learn more detail on IR technology here.

Using a soft microfiber cloth dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol gently wipe the touchscreen clean. You can also use a small amount of hand sanitizer.

Once the screen is completely dry, plug it back in and turn it on. Let the device stand for half an hour to let the alcohol residue to evaporate, before using the device again.

Do not apply water or a cleaning solution on the touch screen directly. Any cleaning solution should first be applied to a lint free cloth. Touch screens are manufactured from fine materials and glass – layer by layer. If you directly spray the cleaner onto it, the liquid can penetrate into the corners and then between the thin layers, causing large black spots on the touch screen.

Do not use paper towels, Kleenex, toilet paper, old cotton rags or multipurpose cleaning cloth because these are both highly abrasive, and neither will be particularly good at lifting dirt from the screen’s surface. In addition, you run the risk of scratching or leaving behind lint particles.

Chemicals found in household cleaners like ammonia-based glass cleaners and even soap or rubbing alcohol shouldn’t be used on most touch screen devices.

Most touchscreen technologies such as PCAP, IR and RE can respond to the touch of a gloved hand or stylus. This means that users can safely interact with touchscreens while minimizing the chance of catching a virus or infection or spreading it themselves.

Special coatings for touchscreens that can slow the spread of bacteria or even kill bacteria are increasingly available, some patents are also effective against the human coronavirus.

• Perform highly diversified duties to install and maintain electrical apparatus on production machines and any other facility equipment (Screen Print, Punch Press, Steel Rule Die, Automated Machines, Turret, Laser Cutting Machines, etc.).

Operators should keep hand sanitizer or sanitary disinfecting wipes near kiosks to ensure customers can stay germ-free, Hand sanitizer can be used to clean almost all monitors and components to ensure a clean touchscreen. It is important to safely clean your touchscreen to remove oils, dirt, grime and germs.

It is also a good idea to clean any peripherals on the kiosk, such as the VOIP handset or keyboard, as these are touched almost as much as the touchscreen. Simply use a non-abrasive cloth with a hand sanitizer or a cleaning solution used in the maintenance steps below. Be careful not to get any cleaning solution inside the actual products, as it could cause damage.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends using disinfecting wipes to clean the outside of your touchscreen kiosk and surroundings, as well as high-touch areas. A readily available option is the Clorox disinfecting wipes. But be sure they do not contain bleach or other chemicals that can damage the display or paint, and do not use it on the touchscreen.

It is important to safely clean your touchscreen to remove oils, dirt, grime and germs. Keep in mind that some self-service kiosks have different types of touchscreens, so we will go over some of the most common kiosk touchscreen types.

A resistive touchscreen monitor is composed of a glass panel and a film screen, each covered with a thin metallic layer, separated by a narrow gap. When a user touches the screen, the two metallic layers make contact, resulting in electrical flow. The point of contact is detected by this change in voltage.

Be sure the cloth is only slightly dampened, not wet. Never apply cleaner directly to the touch panel surface; if the cleaner is spilled onto the touch panel, soak it up immediately with an absorbent cloth.

In a surface capacitive touchscreen, there is a transparent electrode layer on the top of a glass panel, and covered by a protective layer. When an exposed finger touches the monitor screen, it reacts to the static electrical capacity of the human body, which allows the screen to pinpoint the position of the finger.

A projected capacitive touchscreen is similar to surface capacitive, but it offers two primary advantages. In addition to a bare finger, it can also be activated with surgical gloves or thin cotton gloves, and it enables multi-touch activation (simultaneous input from two fingers). When a finger comes into contact with the screen, the ratios of the electrical currents change and the computer is able to detect the touch points. This touchscreen is simpler to clean, as it has solid glass on top.

Cleaning steps are:Using a soft cloth (microfiber) dampened with isopropyl alcohol or a mild non-abrasive soap and water solution, gently wipe the touchscreen clean. You can also use a small amount of hand sanitizer.

Surface acoustic wave touchscreen monitors utilize a series of transducers and receivers along the sides of the monitor’s glass plate to create an invisible grid of ultrasonic waves on the surface. When the panel is touched, a portion of the wave is absorbed. This allows the receiving transducer to locate the touch point and send this data to the computer. SAW monitors can be activated by a finger, gloved hand, or soft-tip stylus.This touchscreen is also simple to clean, as it is solid glass on top.

Cleaning steps are:Using a soft cloth (microfiber) dampened with isopropyl alcohol or a mild non-abrasive soap and water solution, gently wipe the touchscreen clean. You can also use a small amount of hand sanitizer.

Infrared touchscreen monitors do not overlay the display with an additional screen or screen sandwich. Instead, infrared monitors use IR emitters and receivers to create an invisible grid of light beams across the screen. When an object interrupts the invisible infrared light beam, the sensors are able to locate the touch point.

This touchscreen has a glass screen, but there is normally a bezel around the outside that needs to be watched out for during use and cleaning.Using a soft cloth (microfiber) dampened with isopropyl alcohol or a mild non-abrasive soap and water solution, gently wipe the touchscreen clean. You can also use a small amount of hand sanitizer.

Be careful not to saturate the infrared bezel around the outside frame of the monitor. If solution gets in, it can damage the touchscreen functionality.

You will agree that when it comes to our phones, tablets, flat screens, and other personal devices, we are forever cleaning them. Then, later be disappointed because the screen cleaner spray or screen cleaner cloth doesn"t totally remove smears or prints we left. Sometimes, alcohol-based tech cleaning tools leave permanent marks and damage on our devices. Your precious gadgets don"t have to suffer the same fate over and over again with the help of the iRoller touchscreen cleaners. This screen cleaner device saves you time in the long run and prevents you from having to buy all those complicated screen cleaners that end up costing you more time and money. It also ensures your devices stay looking brand-new instead of permanently smudged. The iRoller device cleaner features advanced materials and is completely safe to use on anything!

We"ve all had that moment: You"re sitting at your computer or laptop and the light hits your screen in a way to reveal an unsightly accumulation of streaks, fingerprints, and dust.

To help, we round up the most important things to know about cleaning your computer screen, whether it"s a Mac or PC. While it"s a simple process, there are a few important rules to keep in mind to make sure you"re doing it safely.

Computer screens are not all made the same, and thus can"t all be cleaned the same way. You"ll want to be careful no matter your screen type, but it"s helpful to know that displays come in two categories:Glass-coated screens: The screens on newer iMac displays and MacBooks have a glass overlay. Glass displays are a little less delicate than LCD or LED screens, and mild cleaning solutions, like rubbing alcohol, are generally safe to use on them.

LCD or LED screens:Windows computers and most touchscreens and matte displays are typically not coated in glass. Extra care should be taken with these screens so not to damage the pixels that make up the display.

Since there are so many computers, laptops, and monitors out there, each with their own set of variables and specificities, it"s smart to just simply err on the side of caution.

To clean a computer screen, you really just need two things: A microfiber cloth and filtered or distilled water. That"s to say you don"t need a special store-bought cleaning solution.

If you"d like some extra sanitation power, an equal parts mixture of water and vinegar is safe no matter your screen type. If you know that your display is glass-coated, you can also use an equal parts mixture of water and 70% rubbing alcohol.What you needTwo lint-free microfiber cloths

d3sign/Getty ImagesTurn the computer or laptop off.For safety reasons, begin by letting the device cool down completely. Dust, fingerprints, and smudges are also easier to spot on a black screen.

If any marks remain, wipe with a lightly moistened cloth.For glass-coated screens, you can use a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar or rubbing alcohol. For LED or LCD screens, use only water. Spray or lightly dab the solution directly onto the cloth and carefully wipe the screen from left to right.

Buff with a dry cloth and air-dry.If any streaks remain once the screen dries, gently buff them with the dry cloth. Before you turn your computer or laptop back on, allow the screen to dry completely.Note:Apple claims that you can use 70% isopropyl disinfecting wipes to clean any Apple product. Just remember not to get any liquid into the device"s ports or openings — to avoid this, you might want to wring out the wipe to remove any excess liquid before using it.

For the best advice for cleaning your screen, it"s a smart idea to check your owner"s manual, which provides the manufacturer"s specific recommendations. But since screens are especially susceptible to damage, there are a few general guidelines that apply, no matter the type of screen you own.

Turn off your computer before cleaning the screen. This is just safe practice where any amount of liquid is involved, but more specifically, any static on the screen could create a shock and damage the internal components.

Do not use abrasive cleaning solutions. This includes bleach (or any products containing bleach), hydrogen peroxide, or all-purpose spray cleaners. Using an abrasive cleaner can ruin the finish of your screen.

Use filtered or distilled water. Especially in areas with hard water, water containing minerals like calcium and magnesium can damage your screen or leave even more streaks.

Use only soft microfiber cloths.Even a fabric as soft as a cotton shirt has snags and uneven particles that can scratch a computer screen. For this reason, avoid T-shirts, towels, and paper towels. The exception is the Apple Pro Display XDR or iMac, which requires a special polishing cloth.

Never spray cleaning solution directly onto the screen. To avoid any risk of damage from excess moisture, mist the solution directly onto the microfiber cloth instead.

Do not wipe in circles. Wiping in circles can create uneven pressure and ultimately lead to screen damage. It"s also more likely to create streaking. Wipe in tight, Z-shaped motions, or in broad strokes from side to side.

Do not scrub.Apply gentle pressure only. Hard scrubbing can damage the internal components of the screen and could leave scratches or spots of discoloration or dead pixels that won"t go away.Melanie Weir

Melanie Weir is a freelance author for Insider, mainly focusing on the Tech Reference section, but occasionally contributing to Lifestyle and Entertainment topics as well. She is also a freelance writer for ScreenRant, and is the Lead Weekend News Editor at TheThings.com. In her spare time she writes plays for both stage and screen. She can be reached at melanie.weir1008@gmail.com, or through LinkedIn.

You can clean your devices, such as touchscreen smartphones, in several ways. Most of the advice that major manufacturers like Apple and Samsung give can be summarized as follows:

2. Use a lint-free microfiber cloth, such as a lens cloth for your eyeglasses or sunglasses, to gently wipe the screen down with fluid (see step 3.) Do not use a tissue or paper towel because both can leave a residue on the screen or worse — they might scratch away the screen"s protective coating.

4. Alternatively, use 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipesor Clorox disinfectant wipes to effectively clean your phone. Phone makers say to avoid using products like bleach, hand sanitizer and products such as Lysol sprays because those can damage the screen.

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.

With the heightened focus on sanitizing hard surfaces that your employees or possible guests interact with, many customers have asked us our recommended practices to clean and disinfect CallConnect touch screen call button monitors.  But, these guidelines may also apply to other electronic display surfaces such as Point of Sale terminals or walk up customer ticket kiosks. To be safe, we suggest you check with your PoS suppliers on their recommended cleaning and sanitizing suggestions.

Do not get liquids inside the unit. Do not spray directly on the monitor screen. Instead, use wet wipes, a sprayed cloth or a dampened cloth with the excess moisture squeezed off.

Be mindful that the CallConnect call button monitors are touch screen.  So as you clean the surface, you may inadvertently change the view.  Don’t worry, the monitors are designed to automatically go back to the “home” screen after a certain time period.  If you have any questions on cleaning this or other Venue Valet products, please contact us through one of support methods below:

From the television to the computer to the tablets, screens and monitors are all around your house. As more and more devices move into the touch-screen mode, you may very well find you’re frequently cleaning TV screens and computer monitors. While you may be quick to grab some paper towels, glass cleaner and start wiping away, stop and ask yourself this: is this the best way to clean this screen? There are many different considerations for cleaning the screens and monitors in your house. Here’s a closer look at what you need to know.

Most of the TVs found in homes today have flat screen monitors and are quite different compared to screens on older models. Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) TVs of the past (like the big 1980s-style sets you may recall) had a thick glass screen that was relatively safe to wipe clean with paper towels and window cleaner. Not so with today’s flat screen models. Much of what’s on the market today has a liquid crystal display, or LCD, monitor that produces images. LCD televisions are also thinner and lighter than CRTs.

The make-up of an LCD monitor or screen, however, features a special type of material that is sensitive to chemicals, such as a glass cleaner. Likewise, a plasma display panel (PDP) is made with small cells that contain electrically charged ionized gases—the plasmas.

One of the most important steps to remember is to turn the device off before you begin cleaning. When the screen is dark it will be easier to see the dirty areas. Keep in mind that using harsh chemicals on these screens could ultimately damage or even ruin the television or computer. And it’s not just the cleaners you need to be aware of; kitchen towels or paper towels could also cause scratches and leave the screens covered in lint.

Knowing and understanding how to clean your screens and monitors can help ensure you’re able to use and enjoy your devices for years to come. Here are a few suggestions for properly cleaning these specialty screens.

Probably one of the most important considerations is to never spray any type of cleaning fluid or even water directly onto the screen. While the old CRT screens were pretty much water-tight, the same can’t be said for today’s modern screens. Screens today are made of layers upon layers of glass, plastics, various display elements, and other materials. When liquid comes in contact with the screen’s edge it can be pulled in, like a capillary, to the layers. Once this happens, you will likely notice something that looks like a blob on your screen, and the liquid will most likely never evaporate without leaving some remaining damage.

You may think that grabbing the bottle of glass cleaner you already have on hand is fine for cleaning screens and monitors. But think again. Using many of these common cleaning products can end up causing serious damage. Ammonia-based cleaners (such as traditional window cleaning spray), for example, could cause a chemical reaction with the coating on the screen or cause clouding. Some electronics stores sell specialty cleaners for use on screens, but you can also make cleaning solutions at home. One option is to combine equal parts of water and vinegar for a homemade cleaning product. But don’t spray anything directly onto the screen. Instead, spray the solution onto a lint-free cloth and gently wipe the surface.

Learn how to clean your computer to remove dirt and debris and use a CDC-recommended disinfectant on high-touch surfaces like the mouse, keyboard, and touchscreen.

To clean smudges from the LCD screen, choose a non-abrasive 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 top to bottom.

Do not use any of the following chemicals or any solutions that contain them: Acetone, ethyl alcohol, toluene, ethyl acid, ammonia, or methyl chloride. If you have a different chemical or solution and are not sure whether it is suitable, do not use it. Using any of the chemicals in the previous list may cause permanent damage to the LCD screen. Some commercial window cleaners contain ammonia and are therefore unacceptable.

When a single device is being used by multiple people either in a home, school, or another setting we recommend you to clean the parts of the computer/printer that people come into contact with, such as the keyboard, mouse, trackpad, touchscreen or other exterior surfaces.

consisting of 70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water. Follow the steps below to use the CDC-recommended alcohol solution to clean high-touch, external surfaces on HP products:

70% isopropyl alcohol and 30% water. Follow the guidelines found in this document to clean the frequently-touched exterior surfaces of the HP products.

LCD Displays are interfaces of human and machine. They expose to various environments, especially now that COVID-19 spreading around the world. So it"s impossible to keep a screen clean all the time. When you are going to clean an LCD display，do you have the right steps in mind？Maybe what you"ve been doing is not right！

LCD screens could have different top layers. For example, there are glass, plastic, coating, or protective bezels. Each one of them is different. Therefore, each type of screen should not be cleaned in only one way. In fact, the most appropriate way is written in product manual. Take Topway HMT070ETD-1D, a 7 inch Smart TFT LCD Display with capacitive touch screen, as an example. Cleaning precautions are as follow: Only clean LCD with a soft dry cloth. Isopropyl Alcohol or Ethyl Alcohol. Other solutions(e. g. water) may damage the LCD.

LCD screens are fragile. Before cleaning an LCD display, you should turn it off completely, disconnect it from power supply,  and let it cool down for a few minutes. This will eliminate danger of electrocution and make it easier to see dust on screen.

Don’t press down hard while cleaning, because that action may damage top layers or coating. Spray a little cleaning solution, such as isopropyl alcohol diluted with either pure or distilled water, onto a microfiber cloth and gently wipe the display in either an up and down or side to side motion. Too much pressure can compromise limited durability of even the most rugged LCD screens.

It is dangerous that an LCD display directly contacts with any liquids (especially when they’re still plugged in). A safer and smarter approach is to first wipe the screen with a dry cloth, then spray a small amount of cleaning solution onto another cloth and wipe gently. After that, wipe with another clean, dry cloth to remove the residual liquid.

Never use ammonia or rubbing alcohol based cleaners on LCD screens. They will damage the extremely delicate coating on top of screens, and negatively alter viewing experience, especially in strong sunlight.

Now you know how to clean an LCD screen safely and correctly, if you find it helpful, please share this article with your friends. If there are more questions about LCD displays, please feel free to leave us a message.