You might think cleaning a monitor is easy, and you’re right. But this process is a little more complicated than wiping it with the corner of a t-shirt or worse, a paper towel. Here are some important dos and don’ts.

How not to damage the monitor or computer screen

Before we begin, it’s worth mentioning the do’s and don’ts in any situation. Accidental damage to the monitor is a mistake we want to avoid when cleaning it from dirt, and damage will certainly occur if not done correctly.

Firstly, avoid aggressive substances! This means there are no alcohol or ammonia-based cleaners (like diluted rubbing alcohol). These tools can damage the screen by removing the anti-reflective coating, causing the screen to become blurry or worse. Monitors have moved far from the giant glass tubes of old-style CRT displays, but that means they’ve become much more sensitive.

Second, be careful with what you wipe your screen with. Paper towels may seem like a good option, but they leave a lot of lint behind, which makes the faucet even dirtier. They are also abrasive enough to cover the screen of a laptop, computer or monitor with hundreds of tiny scratches. The same can be said for t-shirts or other household cloths that are suitable for wiping dust on furniture. Some may contain sand particles, metal and other elements hazardous to the screen.

It is better to clean the screen or watch it regularly / Unsplash photo

Third, never spray the cleaner directly on the monitor. Excess liquid risks accumulating in the corner of the screen, seeping through small weak spots and damaging the delicate materials inside.

How to properly clean a computer monitor

Compressed air

Simple dust removal requires a jet of compressed air and a quick dry wipe. If you regularly clean a laptop or computer, this cleaning mode is completely sufficient.

special napkins

As for how to wipe the screen from dust, special microfiber cloths are best suited. These wipes are extremely soft (on a microscopic level) and are known for attracting dust and absorbing oil. Most importantly, it won’t damage your screen. Special wipes are also suitable for cleaning the monitor, which can be purchased at almost any hardware store.

Of course, make sure the cloth is clean before use, and be especially careful not to get grit on the fibers. A speck of dirt or sand can cause more damage than all your careful preparations. That’s why it’s worth following a few simple rules:

• Replace the microfiber cloth with a new one from time to time.
• Never use the monitor cleaning cloth on furniture or other surfaces.
• Keep the screen cleaning kit separate from other things, preferably in a closed case or cabinet so that it does not collect dust.

We use microfiber napkins / Screenshot from the video

Water and cleaning solutions

To improve cleaning efficiency, you can slightly moisten the cloth with distilled water (without any contamination to avoid accidental damage to the screen), but not so much as to wring out the water. Remember, we don’t need liquid to run down the screen and collect at the edges and corners.

You can also use special solutions for cleaning monitors, TVs and screens sold in hardware stores. They are usually available in spray form, so remember that it is sufficient to spray the solution on a cloth several times and then wipe the screen.

We make smooth movements without excessive pressure

When wiping the screen, do not press too hard to avoid damaging the matrix. Some monitors can be very sensitive and unstable to pressure, so it’s better to wipe the same area a few more times than pay for an expensive repair later.

When wiping the screen, try to avoid circular movements and do it evenly. You should not polish the same place. It is best to do this with light sweeping movements from side to side or from top to bottom. This may sound cliché, but we still clean sensitive electronics and need to treat our devices with appropriate delicacy.