Clean a computer screen without destroying it - Cleaning tips

Cleaning tips

How to clean a computer screen without destroying it?

Please do us a favors and focus on this photo of a solid black square. We'll just have to wait. 

Yes, we are aware that your screen is filthy.

Let us stop you right there before you give in to your impulses and wipe your screen with whatever you have at hand. Your display is far more delicate than you realis, and if you want it to last for a long time in ideal conditions, you must treat it with love and care.  

The good news is that cleaning a computer screen is not as difficult as you might think. You only need a soft cloth, a small amount of water, and the gentlest of touches.

Understand your screen:

As one might expect, not all screens are created equal, with some being more delicate than others. The safest way to determine proper screen care is to search for the make and model of your device, determine whether it has an LCD, LED, or other type of display, and then search for the manufacturer's instructions on how to care for it. If you want to avoid all of that, there is a simple way to avoid making a mistake that could result in irreparable damage to your screen as well as 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, if you bought it within the last three years, it most likely has an LED or an LCD screen—and neither type benefits from window cleaner or highly concentrated alcohol. 

"You really don't want to use anything that's going to dilute the reflective coating of your screen," 

Silverman says. 

This is the top layer of your screen, which is extremely sensitive to the acidity of alcohol and other compounds such as ammonia or propylene glycol. These are frequently found in cleaning products such as window cleaners and degreasers. These liquids will corrode the surface of your screen, resulting in scratches or smudges that you will be unable to remove. And if that isn't bad enough, consider what happens when the protective layer is completely destroyed.  

"Underneath there, it's the most intelligent part of the laptop," Silverman explains. "What happens is that the liquid gets through that first line of refence, and when it does, it has a significant impact on the sensors." 

When dealing with touchscreens, things become even more difficult. The display is the primary input on models like the Microsoft Surface, as opposed to a mouse or trackpad on a regular laptop, so it's ultra-sensitive, according to Silverman. A strong liquid cleaner, such as a degreaser or a bleach-based disinfectant, can completely remove the top layer of the screen. When you combine that with high pressure, you can say goodbye to your fancy touchscreen computer.

Another disadvantage of modern computers is their size and weight. If you decided to splurge on a new laptop, you probably found one with high-quality components as well as a sleek, lightweight design. This format is only possible if your laptop's components are smaller and thinner. A thinner screen, in the case of your display, means a weaker barrier between your computer's guts and the elements in the outside world. 

But how exactly do I clean a computer screen?

• Cleaning your screen is simple—all you need is a little water and a dust-free cloth, such as a microfiber wipe or the fabric that came with your glasses. 
• To begin, turn off your computer and unplug the charger. 
• This may sound paranoid, but the benefit is twofold: you avoid the possibility of triggering an electrical surge, and your screen remains black, making it easier to see dirt and grime. Apply a few drops of water to your cloth.
•  Forget paper towels or the sleeve of your favorited soft cotton t-shirt—microfiber is your best bet.
•  Regardless of how soft it is, a dry wipe will always leave micro-abrasions on your screen. 
• The moisture will also aid in the collection of dust and particles, as well as the removal of grease from your display. 
• To avoid streaks, use circular motions beginning in the canter of your screen and moving outward. 
• You've used far too much water if you see any droplets or water traces on the glass while cleaning. 
• Begin again by gently dabbing the residual H2O with an absorbent cloth or tissue paper. If you're dealing with high-level gunk, Silverman recommends using isopropyl alcohol at 70% or lower. "That percentage is very important,

" he says." We'd only use 90 percent or higher on dummy parts that don't have sensors, like top cases and keyboards." In these cases, spray the alcohol on the cloth, never directly on the screen, and gently wipe it. 

Screen care is similar to skincare:

Screen damage, like solar damage, accumulates. The more pressure you apply, the more abrasive a product you use, and the more frequently you use it, the more damage you inflict on your display's protective layer and the delicate sensors beneath it. 

You might be able to get away with splattering a high percentage of alcohol or even a window cleaner on your computer screen once or twice. However, if you persist, you will eventually notice the negative consequences. 

You'll notice discoloration, lines (vertical and horizontal), and it'll look pretty and rainbow-like at times.

" Silverman says." 

• Sometimes it blinks, and other times you can see droplets of liquid or water in the back of the screen. There are numerous ways for damage to manifest. 
• The bad news is that you can't fix it. Replacement of the screen is the only way to remove the damage. 
• The best way to avoid damaging your screen while cleaning is to keep it clean in the first place. 
• Cover the keyboard of your laptop with a thin microfiber cloth before closing it to prevent finger grease from transferring to the screen. 
• If you use a touchscreen, wash your hands frequently before using it, but make sure to completely dry your hands before tapping—the soapy water or liquid hand cleanser from your fingers can easily end up on the screen and corrode it. 

Wet, freshly washed hands can also be harmful to standard computers. Silverman says he frequently sees such victims in his shop—computers that are completely dead because hand sanitizer rubbed off the owner's hands, seeped through the keyboard, and ruined the machine's inner guts.