LCD cleaning question

[Haruko]

I think I'll look stupid for asking, but I'd rather get this question out of the way.

I used this spray by "Pledge" for electronics ("cleans TVs, VCRs, PCs & More") on my previous monitor, a CRT. I'd just spray some of the contents on a wipe, then thoroughly wipe the screen.

Since I switched to the LCD, though, I've been using screen cleaning wipes that declare on the container that they're safe for use on LCD.

I was wondering if Pledge spray + LCD screen = good thing I have a warranty.

I know LCDs don't have that thick protective glass that CRTs do (at least mine), so my thought has been "of course you shouldn't use that spray on the LCD", so I haven't.

[Executor32]

I just use a paper towel slightly dampened with Windex. It gets most anything off the screen, doesn't leave any residue, and (from what I can tell) doesn't negatively affect the screen.

[Seggybop]

If it's a cleaner and not some type of wax or polish, you should be ok. Windex is fine though. Main thing is not to apply pressure to the screen.

[phongn]

Windex can be harsh if the glass is coated.

[J]

I use those nice bottles of eyeglass lens cleaners I get from my optometrist. According to the labels, they're safe for all coated plastic lenses, and after several years of using them on my laptop screen I've yet to have any issues.

[Sea Skimmer]

I think I'll look stupid for asking, but I'd rather get this question out of the way.

You'd only be stupid if you fucked up your screen and then asked for help.

I used this spray by "Pledge" for electronics ("cleans TVs, VCRs, PCs & More") on my previous monitor, a CRT. I'd just spray some of the contents on a wipe, then thoroughly wipe the screen.

If it doesn’t say it’s meant for LCDs, then don’t use it. That sounds like a product meant for cleaning metal and plastic cases, not glass. However I would check the manufactures website and see if they don’t have more information.

Also, do not use paper towels, they are abrasive and will easily scratch away the protective coatings found on monitors of all types. The same goes for other optics, like binocular lenses and telescopic gun sights. You might get away with it once or twice, or even more, but it’s best not to take the risk. You want to use a 100% cotton cloth, an old shirt will actually work fine, the more worn out it is the better, but just be safe feel the shirt and make sure it really is nice and soft, you never know what crap might have gotten stuck on it.

The best option though is to spend all of two or three dollars and buy a purpose made LCD cleaning cloth (my LCD actually came with one of them). They won’t scratch the coatings and the material is designed to trap dirt and lift it away.

Assuming the Pledge product is no good, you can make your own cleaning solution of 50% water (use distilled or purified bottled water, best not to use tap water unless it went through a filter at the tap), 50% isopropyl alcohol (make sure it’s a high purity alcohol, and not labeled rubbing alcohol, that has oil in it) and it will work fine. Do not use a cleaner that’s simply alcohol based, purpose manufactured alcohol based cleaners have lots of other chemicals in them you don’t want.

I’ve never used a cleaning cloth which came pre moistened, but I’ve heard that those tend to be crappy and leave streaks, if you do get a cleaning cloth buy a dry one and add a cleaning solution to it yourself.

Also just remember, press lightly. Even with the best cloth and best cleaning fluid you can still leave streaks or scratch the coating if you apply too much pressure.

I just use a paper towel slightly dampened with Windex. It gets most anything off the screen, doesn't leave any residue, and (from what I can tell) doesn't negatively affect the screen.

Windex is one of the worst things you can possibly use on a coated monitor short if hitting it with a sand blaster

[TimothyC]

You want to use a 100% cotton cloth, an old shirt will actually work fine, the more worn out it is the better, but just be safe feel the shirt and make sure it really is nice and soft, you never know what crap might have gotten stuck on it.

Old, clean, fabric diapers work the best as they offer the best mix of absorbency, durability, and softness. Short of that I personally recomend purpose-made microfiber cloths.

Assuming the Pledge product is no good, you can make your own cleaning solution of 50% water (use distilled or purified bottled water, best not to use tap water unless it went through a filter at the tap), 50% isopropyl alcohol (make sure it’s a high purity alcohol, and not labeled rubbing alcohol, that has oil in it) and it will work fine. Do not use a cleaner that’s simply alcohol based, purpose manufactured alcohol based cleaners have lots of other chemicals in them you don’t want.

The Alcohol can still break down the screen cover if not used properly.

Windex is one of the worst things you can possibly use on a coated monitor short if hitting it with a sand blaster.

Quoted For truth. I've seen whole TV-walls ruined in less than a year because people used windex on them. I personally hate the stuff.

[phongn]

On my glasses, I've been using Kimtech glass cleaner, for my camera stuff I usually use Eclipse lens cleaner.

[Uraniun235]

I dampen an old shirt. That's it.

I’ve never used a cleaning cloth which came pre moistened, but I’ve heard that those tend to be crappy and leave streaks, if you do get a cleaning cloth buy a dry one and add a cleaning solution to it yourself.

I had that experience myself. Got a bottle of those from my mother and I wound up taking water to old shirt to undo the mess. I threw the whole damn thing away. Simply godawful.

[SpacedTeddyBear]

I'm gonna second the isopropyl alcohol/water 50/50 mix. I actually have a wash bottle of the stuff (%100) on my desk for my glasses and plasma t.v should I ever need it. Though I prefer to use methanol because it leaves fewer residue lines from my experience.

[Lisa]

avoid amonia based cleaners.

[Executor32]

I shall keep this in mind. We have these really nice and soft cotton towels at work, I may just "borrow" one specifically for cleaning my LCD. Unlike other people I know IRL, I tend not to make disgusting messes on my screen (read: dried droplets of mystery brown liquid, the origin of which even they didn't know), so I only clean my LCD every couple of months.

[Lt. Dan]

My new Samsung came with a microfiber cleaning cloth. I thought that was pretty neat. Are you just dusting or is there something else on the screen?

[Gullible Jones]

I just use a wet cotton T-shirt... Works very well, thank you.

[Pu-239]

I found out awhile ago that spraying any fluids on the screen is bad . Apparently Dell laptop LCDs are not very well sealed around the edges (somehow dirt and crap gets in too, not to mention fluids). I was pretty lucky I was able to pry the tape off, lift the LCD glass off the backlight material and remove the fluids with a sheet of paper. There's dirt elsewhere unrelated to this incident, but the laptop isn't mine, so eh.

[Vendetta]

Microfibre cloth, very slightly damp with clean warm water if there's a really stubborn piece of grunge on the screen. (I got a microfibre cloth with my LCD TV, but you can get them otherwise easily.)