How To Clean Laptop Screen Safely?

Whether you are an enthusiast gamer or use a laptop for your work project, there is nothing more disturbing than a dusty computer screen. The only difficulty is that most computer screens are highly sensitive and need a gentle touch to prevent damage.

If you have broken a monitor screen before or want to keep that brand new laptop running smoothly, this article will give you all the knowledge you could require to keep your screen clean without damaging it.

Here is good news for you that most of the tips for cleaning your laptop that we discuss here will work for your monitors and TV screens, as well.

Best way to clean your laptop screen

You are wondering how to clean your laptop screen without causing any damage? You don’t have to be a technician to understand that any liquid getting into your laptop’s hardware spells disaster. Because of this, you should avoid liquid sprays.

One of the most common blunders people make when trying to clean their laptop computer screens is using a liquid cleaner. As a common rule, try to avoid them completely. However, there are some safe liquid substances you can carefully use to clean laptop screens.

If you do not have much chance with a dry cloth or spilled something on your screen, you can try using a bit of rubbing alcohol for non-LCD screens if you do not want to purchase a particularised cleaning product.

The trick, of course, is not to let any of the fluid get down to the speakers or keyboard and to use a minimal amount – just sufficient to remove the dirty spot.

If you have an LCD screen, do not use rubbing alcohol as it will ruin your screen. If you are uncertain about what products are safe for your laptop or are not entirely sure what kind of screen you have, look up the company lists as restricted for cleaning.

By lightly dabbing rubbing alcohol onto a very soft cloth, you can avoid the dangers of rubbing alcohol dripping down into your computer.

Microfiber is your best material

With a suitable cloth or material, a cleaning substance may be entirely unnecessary. Microfiber cloths are the best possible material to clean your PC with since household rags, paper towels, and old T-shirts will damage and scratch your screen.

1. Turn off the computer and unplug the power adapter and battery.

Cleaning a screen that’s in use can cause permanent harm, so be on the protected side of things and turn everything off. Don’t just put it to sleep.

2. Get a microfiber cloth.

A microfiber cloth is a type of fabric that does not produce fibre and is very soft. If you use a washcloth, T-shirt or a different kind of cloth, it could leave extra debris on your screen or damage it.

• Avoid using paper products as well. Never use a paper towel, napkin, toilet paper or another paper product since these are scratchy and will damage the screen.
• A microfiber cloth is useful for cleaning all kinds of screens and lenses.

3. Wipe the screen lightly with the cloth.

Using one sweep of the cloth should take care of any dust and loose bits on the screen. Wipe gently without exerting much pressure since if you press too strong, you could damage the screen.

• When you wipe with a mild circular motion, you will be able to lift some of the more challenging spots.
• Never scrub the screen, or you could cause pixel burnout.

4. Clean the laptop frame with a mild cleaning solution.

If the area around the screen is stained, you can use a regular household cleaning solution and a soft towel; just be very careful not to let it touch the screen.

Of course, there will be cases where no amount of gentle wiping will remove the soda you by mistake spilled on your laptop days ago. In these situations, you may have to turn to a severe computer cleaning solution or rubbing alcohol. Just remember that when you clean your laptop’s screen, a gentle touch is important to the long-term health of your display.

Using a Cleaning Solution

1. Turn off the computer and unplug the power adapter and battery.

Since you are using a liquid to clean the screen in this process, it’s essential to turn off the computer and unplug it from the outlet.

2. Create a gentle cleaning solution.

The ideal solution is plain distilled water, which includes no chemicals and is mild on the screen. If more substantial cleaning is needed, a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and distilled water can also be useful.

• Make sure you use conventional white vinegar, not apple cider vinegar or any other kind.
• Distilled water is safer than tap water because it’s chemical-free.
• Companies no longer suggest using any cleaners with alcohol, ammonia or any strong solvents on LCD screens.

3. Put the solution in a small atomizer bottle.

This is the spray bottle that you push from the top to get a fine mist, similar to a perfume bottle. Pour some of the solutions into the spray bottle and screw on the top. Do not use this to spray on the screen itself, however

4. Apply a minimal amount of the solution to a microfiber cloth.

A static-free, fiber-free cloth works best. Remember not to use regular cloth, since this could scratch the screen. Do not soak the fabric; you just want to get it moist, which uses the atomizer bottle to wet it.

• A damp cloth can drip or run when cleaning the screen, and the solution can dip behind the bezel and forever damage your screen.
• Try applying the solution to just one corner of the cloth at a time to make sure you don’t get it too wet.

5. Clean the cloth against the screen in a circular motion.

Rapid circular movements generally eliminate streaks. Apply gentle and even pressure to the cloth. Use only enough pressure to keep the fabric in contact with the screen. Take care not to press your fingers into the fabric or screen since applying too much force when cleaning the screen can permanently damage the LCD matrix and render your screen unusable.

• Hold the screen near the very top or very bottom to avoid re-smudging it as you work.
• You may require to pass over the screen multiple times before all the smudges have been eliminated. You may also require re-dampening the cloth as you work, depending on how many passes over the screen you need to make.

Alternative Methods for Cleaning a Laptop Screen

Sometimes you can’t splurge on ultra-expensive products when trying to clean your laptop screen, and you have to rely on alternative methods. There are plenty of household items that can be used, such as rubbing alcohol. However, some are dangerous to your screen, which you should try to avoid.

A brand-new sponge is a great idea to clean a screen. You will need to moisten the sponge slightly; the last thing you want is water to drip down into your laptop.

If you have a glass laptop screen, it’s safe to use Windex as a cleaner. Sturdier computers sometimes have a clear glass screen over the front of the display – much like a cell phone. A portion of Windex sprayed onto your microfiber cloth will undoubtedly get the job done. But remember, never spray the Windex directly onto your laptop screen itself.

A soft duster brush will work if you don’t have a microfiber cloth or a sponge fresh out of the package. A traditional feather duster might damage your screen, but there’s a good chance you have adopted the Swiffer duster into your household. These cleaning cloths are made from thousands of tiny polyester fibres and are the next best thing for cleaning your screen if you don’t have a microfiber cloth.

If you ever find yourself questioning the methods by which you plan to clean your laptop screen, it’s best to err on the side of caution. To take extra precautions, you can order specialized products and cleaning solutions online or pick them up at electronic stores.

The corners of your monitor or laptop screen are often the most complex and frustrating to clean. Fortunately, cleaning brushes for detailing are available. The Oxo Good Grips cleaning brush is perfect for reaching into the corners of your laptop’s display. This tool will allow you to avoid the use of liquids and give your laptop a complete clean.

You can find most of these products online or at computer stores, along with wipes and other cleaning supplies that were designed explicitly for laptop screens and monitors.

How to Clean Your Touch Screen Laptop Carefully

The best thing about touch screens, especially tablets and smartphones, is that they usually come with an additional protective screen that makes them much easier to clean. However, you should still take the same precautions that you would with a standard laptop screen.

While touch screen laptops aren’t always made of the same materials that traditional smartphones and tablets are, they may often be just as sensitive. The best thing to do is pick up a microfiber cloth and give your screen a gentle wipe down using the same techniques previously mentioned.

Unless you plan to wash your hands before each time you use your touch screen laptop, you should make an effort to clean it far more frequently. All that grime on your fingertips dragging across your screen can cause a significant build-up.

Touch screens are susceptible to pressure, so make sure you don’t press down too firmly while you’re cleaning since it could wear out the sensors or even damage them. You will also want to turn your screen off before cleaning. You wouldn’t like to accidentally send out a strange jumbled-up email to an important client while you’re cleaning.

Prevention Methods

Once you have cleaned your laptop screen, try to keep it that way. One of the primary reasons your screen continues to get dirty so often is because of your keyboard. Dead skin cells, dirt, and grime from your fingertips get on the keyboard and transfers to your laptop’s screen when you close it.

One of the best ways to prevent this transference of dirt and grime is to place a thin microfiber cloth on top of your keyboard every time you close your computer.

Also, since your laptop creates a small electrical charge – even when not in use – it attracts more dust than other surfaces in your home or office.

If you know that you’re not going to use your laptop for an extended period, be sure to keep it stored in a sealed computer bag or plastic bag. Dust and dirt can quickly build up in a matter of days if your laptop is left out in the open. You should always store your laptop whenever you’re not using it; doing so will prevent dust from building inside the hardware.

Things You Should Never Do While Cleaning Your Laptop:

There are few things which you never try to do on your laptop while cleaning it.

1. Never directly wet the screen.

Do not, under any circumstance, spray water directly onto the screen of the laptop. This significantly increases your odds of getting water into the machine, thereby making a short more likely. Only use water if you apply it with a soft cloth.

• Do not drench the cloth in water. A soaked cloth is more likely to drip excess water into the machine, which could cause severe damage to your computer. If you accidentally use too much water, wring the cloth out well until it is only slightly moist.

2. Do not use regular cleaning supplies on your screen.

The only cleaners safe for your screen are the light water and vinegar mixture or a special store-bought cleaner meant for LCD screens. Do not use the following:

• Window cleaner
• All-purpose cleaner
• Dish soap, or soap of any kind

3. Never scrub your screen.

If you press too hard, you can permanently damage your laptop. Use a gentle circular rubbing motion when you clean your screen. Avoid using a brush or anything but a very soft cloth to clean your screen.

Final Words

It is always better to be safe than sorry when discovering how to clean your monitor or laptop screen. You invest some amount on your laptop and other electronics. It would be wise to spend a small amount on their care and maintenance. Financing in a microfiber cloth that you can keep your desk just for your laptop, along with a cleaning solution kit, might cost you a few dollars, but it will save you from far more damaged to replace a computer screen from careless cleaning.