I've spent hours researching how to clean my monitor lately.
In this article I have listed cleaning instructions and the 9 best tips that have helped me the most.
Quick guide for cleaning the monitor
I've had great success with the following guide. The whole cleaning took only a few minutes and the result is really impressive.
In addition, you should heed the following tips, then your screen will definitely not be damaged.
- Disconnect monitor from power source
- First wipe off the dust with a dry microfiber cloth
- For coarse dirt, use a slightly damp lens cleaning cloth with a gentle cleaning agent (TFT cleaner) or distilled water!
- let the screen dry
- Reconnect the device to the power supply
Cleaning the monitor – 9 helpful tips
With the combination of these tips and the quick guide, your TV or monitor display will look like new again and will not suffer any damage.
1. Unplug all cables
Before you start cleaning, you have to disconnect the monitor from the power supply for safety reasons and also so that you can completely remove the dirt.
If the screen is cleaned with a wet cloth while it is switched on, short circuits are not unlikely if water gets inside the device.
This will either destroy the monitor or television or, in the worst case, give you an electric shock.
2. Clean your screen in daylight
In addition, the dirt on the screen can be seen better in the off mode.
In particular, dust and fingerprints are easy to see on the off, black screen surface.
Especially on a sunny day, you can see the impurities particularly well. You will get the best results on these days.
3. Never wipe in a circular motion
When wiping the monitor, you will achieve the best result by not wiping in circular movements, but in a straight line from top to bottom. Otherwise you're just spreading all the dirt.
If an area does not get clean immediately, circular movements can be useful to clean the area in question.
4. Apply little pressure when cleaning the monitor
You should also make sure that you exert as little pressure as possible on the monitor because the screen is very sensitive, otherwise the glass could splinter.
5. Never wet the cleaning cloth
You must never get the cleaning cloth wet, only slightly damp. Otherwise the electronics of the monitor will quickly be destroyed and the screen rendered unusable.
6. Be extremely careful when choosing grooming equipment
The biggest mistakes when cleaning the monitor happen when choosing the cleaning equipment or cleaning agent. This either scratches or etches the display.
Suitable cleaning utensils
- Clean microfiber cloth or glass polishing cloth
- Brillenputztücher
- Gentle electrostatic dusters, like Swiffer
- LCD cleaning kits and screen cleaning sprays
- cotton swab
- Soft brush (e.g. marten hair brush)
Unsuitable cleaning utensils
- Kitchen towels
- kitchen sponges
- cleaning rags
- your fingernails
7. First use a dry cleaning cloth
You first remove the dust with a dry & clean microfiber cloth or glasses cleaning cloth.
For stubborn dirt, you can then moisten the microfiber cloth or glasses cleaning cloth with a little water or use a gentle cleaning agent. You should be able to remove all dirt from the display with this.
8. Use cotton swabs and fine brushes for the corners and edges
Soft brushes such as sable brushes or cotton swabs are ideal for hard-to-reach areas. With these utensils you really get the dirt and dust out of every nook and cranny.
Note, however, that you should never use your fingernails for stubborn dirt. Because with your fingernails you only scratch the screen surface.
9. Never spray your monitor directly with cleaning products
You must never apply the cleaning agent directly to the screen, but always apply it to a cleaning cloth first.
Otherwise the dose of cleaning agent in the sprayed area is too concentrated. Thus, the monitor or television can break again or pixel errors can occur.
Suitable cleaning agents
- slightly damp microfiber cloth with distilled water
- TFT cleaner
- Cleaning agent made from 50% vinegar & 50% distilled water
Unsuitable cleaning agents
- Glass cleaner
- fusel alcohol
- Abrasives
- polish
In general, cleaning agents containing ammonia or alcohol are unsuitable for cleaning screens. These liquids are too aggressive for the sensitive surface. And glass cleaner would only leave streaks on the screen.
A good alternative to TFT cleaner is a mixture of 50% vinegar and 50% distilled water. This solution is very gentle on the screen and can be made immediately at home.
While you've had good experience cleaning objects with a home-mixed cleaning product, I would definitely advise against trying any mixtures on your screen.
