ArtsAutosBooksBusinessEducationEntertainmentFamilyFashionFoodGamesGenderHealthHolidaysHomeHubPagesPersonal FinancePetsPoliticsReligionSportsTechnologyTravel

How to Clean Computer Screen

Updated on July 29, 2017

Everyone who owns a computer has a computer screen. For a computer is nothing but an expensive piece of hardware without the monitor to graphically display what you are doing. Yet when you use a monitor you will quickly notice it has a nasty habit of attracting dust like a magnet and accidental smudges. If you're not careful in how you remove them, you can cause permanent damage to the screen, especially LCD screens.

Fortunately, there are many ways to clean a computer screen, whether it be for a desktop or a laptop. The key is knowing which type of computer screen you have for the two types require different cleaning methods and using the wrong cleaning method can be devastating to the long term viability of your screen.

CRT Computer Monitor
CRT Computer Monitor
LCD Computer Screen
LCD Computer Screen

CRT v. LCD

A different cleaning method is required depending on which type of monitor you have. There are two main types: The Cathrode Ray Tube (CRT) and the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) . The CRT can be recognized by its glass screen and bulgy size and has become less common with the efficiencies of the modern LCD. Called flat panel monitors, an LCD can be recognized by it's skinny size and pixels. They can be bought for desktops and are often used for laptop screens or flat panel TVs. LCDs lack a protective glass covering.


Cleaning an LCD Screen

How to Clean CRT and LCD Monitors

Cleaning a CRT Screen:

  • Turn off your monitor
  • Dampen a soft cloth or paper towel with water, Windex or a mild cleaner
  • Wipe the glass in circular motions
  • Never spray a liquid directly onto the monitor
  • For another approach, follow the steps for cleaning an LCD monitor

Cleaning a LCD Screen:

  • Unplug or turn off the LCD Monitor
  • Use a very soft cloth - eyeglass, Microfiber, or lint free cloth
  • Wipe the LCD screen very gently to remove dust and other particles
  • If dirt remains, dampen cloth with distilled water, an approved LCD cleaning kit product or a 50/50 water and white vinegar or Isopropyl Alcohol mix
  • Wipe LCD screen with damp cloth (should not drip or leave water marks) very gently in circular motions
  • When in doubt follow manufacturer recommendations for cleaning
  • This method works for TV screens as well

For LCD's, Do NOT Use :

  • Paper Towels, tissues, used rags or any other abrasive items
  • Tap water (minerals in water could stain or leave marks)
  • General cleaning products or anything containing ammonia, ethyl alcohol, acetone, toluene, ethyl acid, or methyl chloride.
  • Excessive force or pressure against the screen to remove stuck dirt. You could cause permanent damage.

working

This website uses cookies

As a user in the EEA, your approval is needed on a few things. To provide a better website experience, hubpages.com uses cookies (and other similar technologies) and may collect, process, and share personal data. Please choose which areas of our service you consent to our doing so.

For more information on managing or withdrawing consents and how we handle data, visit our Privacy Policy at: https://corp.maven.io/privacy-policy

Show Details
Necessary
HubPages Device IDThis is used to identify particular browsers or devices when the access the service, and is used for security reasons.
LoginThis is necessary to sign in to the HubPages Service.
Google RecaptchaThis is used to prevent bots and spam. (Privacy Policy)
AkismetThis is used to detect comment spam. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide data on traffic to our website, all personally identifyable data is anonymized. (Privacy Policy)
HubPages Traffic PixelThis is used to collect data on traffic to articles and other pages on our site. Unless you are signed in to a HubPages account, all personally identifiable information is anonymized.
Amazon Web ServicesThis is a cloud services platform that we used to host our service. (Privacy Policy)
CloudflareThis is a cloud CDN service that we use to efficiently deliver files required for our service to operate such as javascript, cascading style sheets, images, and videos. (Privacy Policy)
Google Hosted LibrariesJavascript software libraries such as jQuery are loaded at endpoints on the googleapis.com or gstatic.com domains, for performance and efficiency reasons. (Privacy Policy)
Features
Google Custom SearchThis is feature allows you to search the site. (Privacy Policy)
Google MapsSome articles have Google Maps embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
Google ChartsThis is used to display charts and graphs on articles and the author center. (Privacy Policy)
Google AdSense Host APIThis service allows you to sign up for or associate a Google AdSense account with HubPages, so that you can earn money from ads on your articles. No data is shared unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Google YouTubeSome articles have YouTube videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
VimeoSome articles have Vimeo videos embedded in them. (Privacy Policy)
PaypalThis is used for a registered author who enrolls in the HubPages Earnings program and requests to be paid via PayPal. No data is shared with Paypal unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook LoginYou can use this to streamline signing up for, or signing in to your Hubpages account. No data is shared with Facebook unless you engage with this feature. (Privacy Policy)
MavenThis supports the Maven widget and search functionality. (Privacy Policy)
Marketing
Google AdSenseThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Google DoubleClickGoogle provides ad serving technology and runs an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Index ExchangeThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
SovrnThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Facebook AdsThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Unified Ad MarketplaceThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
AppNexusThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
OpenxThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Rubicon ProjectThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
TripleLiftThis is an ad network. (Privacy Policy)
Say MediaWe partner with Say Media to deliver ad campaigns on our sites. (Privacy Policy)
Remarketing PixelsWe may use remarketing pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to advertise the HubPages Service to people that have visited our sites.
Conversion Tracking PixelsWe may use conversion tracking pixels from advertising networks such as Google AdWords, Bing Ads, and Facebook in order to identify when an advertisement has successfully resulted in the desired action, such as signing up for the HubPages Service or publishing an article on the HubPages Service.
Statistics
Author Google AnalyticsThis is used to provide traffic data and reports to the authors of articles on the HubPages Service. (Privacy Policy)
ComscoreComScore is a media measurement and analytics company providing marketing data and analytics to enterprises, media and advertising agencies, and publishers. Non-consent will result in ComScore only processing obfuscated personal data. (Privacy Policy)
Amazon Tracking PixelSome articles display amazon products as part of the Amazon Affiliate program, this pixel provides traffic statistics for those products (Privacy Policy)
ClickscoThis is a data management platform studying reader behavior (Privacy Policy)