How to Clean an LCD Screen
The “L” in LCD stands for “liquid,” and what holds this liquid in is not a glass plate like you remember having on your big, heavy CRT or television. It’s soft plastic, and you’ve got to treat it very delicately.
Table of Contents:
So, first of all, let’s decide what we don’t use to clean it:
- Anything containing bleach or ammonia, such as Windex. That will react with the plastic and make the plastic screen become cloudy and discolored.
- Anything sharp, pointy or abrasive.
Your easiest choice is one of those LCD cleaning solutions they sell in places where they sell computers. But they’re expensive, and why bother when you can make your own solution for next to nothing?
What you’ll need:
- Distilled water (available at your supermarket; tap water leaves streaks and minerals).
- White vinegar (you may substitute isopropyl alcohol; either way, make sure these substances are diluted before they come near your screen).
- A clean, soft cloth (never use any kind of paper product).
- A spray bottle.
Directions:
- In the spray bottle, mix the distilled water and alcohol/vinegar, in a 1:1 ratio.
- Turn off the LCD display.
- Spray the mixture onto the cloth, never directly onto the screen.
- Wipe gently – oh, so gently – from top to bottom. Do it horizontally, too, if you think that leaves a cleaner result.
- Let the screen dry before turning it back on.
Hands Off!
Fingers leave dirt and oil smudges that must be cleaned off. Also, every time you touch the screen you risk doing damage to those tiny creatures inside that hold the colored flashlights. Keep your fingers to yourself.
For every cleaning tip that you submit and we publish we donate .25¢ to the Clean Water Fund.
Comments:
October 6, 2007, 5:33 pm
I buy a product for cleaning sunglasses called Viva, Ive used it for several years and it works great. For dusting the screen, I’ve used the anti-static anti-cling sheets you would otherwise use in a dryer. They also do well with no ill effects.
October 9, 2007, 1:23 am
I use dryer sheets as well. Yay for recycling! I also use a cloth that is used to clean my eyeglasses.
October 12, 2007, 9:36 pm
I’ve used “Glass Plus” on my laptop and my 19″ LCD for about four years now. I also use the brown paper towels that are on a roll. They are used in the dispensers in bathrooms. I get the end of the roll before it is dscarted.
October 17, 2007, 3:32 am
I work in a lab and use 95% ethanol and chemwipes (paper-based) to clean my laptop screen all the time. Works fine and still looks great.
October 20, 2007, 3:22 pm
Sorry all, but I have one related question rater than a tip. I am interested in advice on how to clean the “solid” stuff from the LCD screen. You see, it’s that during all these years, there were many “little dots” of such stuff (like small coagulated pieces of coffe etc.) that I accidentally spilled or whatever, and now they’re spread all over my screen.
Best regards and thanks for any reply in advance!!
Tadej, Ljubljana, Slovenia
October 22, 2007, 10:08 am
I use terrycloth dust cloths that are like magnets for dust and dirt. They are reuseable and environmentally smart. I have seen them in stores but bought mine from a catalog. You can’t go wrong.
February 11, 2008, 4:52 pm
I appologize for not having a tip, rather i do have a question. I had a lcd tv wich used to look all nice and perfect. All of the sudden a big yellow stain appear on the scree. I came to find out that one day my mother came to visit to my place, she decide to help out with the cleaning and she apply windex to my TV. Ever since we havent been able to remove this stain. Does someone know if there is a way to remove this stain. Or im stuck with it forever?
Thank you kindly
Tony
March 6, 2008, 3:42 pm
Some one at Target told me that a little drop od dawn dish soap and water works great. I’ve been cleaning my LCD TV that way for a while now and it looks and works great.
March 27, 2008, 12:16 pm
I’m got a problem that few if any others will have encountered: in a modern museum setting, we have several large LCD monitors that are routinely exposed to small quantities of water mist (from a simulated flash flood exhibit). During design, the quantities of water were deemed insignificant, but over time we’ve found the build-up of mineral deposits (”hard water stains”) in the form of droplets on the screens has become a problem. Does anyone have any suggestions? I’m reluctant to try any of the acidic, off-the-shelf hard water stain removers that you might use in your shower, but I’m open to any suggestions.
May 29, 2008, 4:17 pm
No, absolutely WRONG. NEVER use vinegar to clean LCD screens, it will cause the plastic surface to yellow.
Manufacturers like Apple recommend cleaning with a soft cloth and a solution of water and no more than 50% isopropyl alcohol. I personally clean my screen with a microfiber cloth and water. Microfiber cloths are commonly sold as eyeglass cleaners, it is designed to wipe up dust and dirt. With the right cloth, you only need water.
May 29, 2008, 8:17 pm
I’ve used windex or generic glass cleaner to clean LCD screens for years and have NEVER had an issue.
May 30, 2008, 3:57 pm
I use EVERY time ONLY Water and Topiletpaper! With a some of Spiritus! And my Display looks always great! i dont Support the Tip: “Dont use papers”! it works perfectly!
May 30, 2008, 3:59 pm
btw: Microfiber is the worst thing EVER, because the structure of the Microfiber destroy the LCD by Time…
August 14, 2008, 8:40 am
Jerry Carter: Monster LCD cleaner is not cheap but is safe and works great:
http://www.amazon.com/Monster-ScreenClean-Display-Cleaning-alcohol/dp/B000068P8W
August 23, 2008, 3:03 am
I use a clean, slightly damp chamois leather. Works a treat with no chemicals required.
November 8, 2008, 2:36 pm
I recently purchased a widescreen LCD TV and was concerned about what to clean the screen with. I spent hours googling the topic and here is a synopsis of what I found:
Use a 1:1 mix of 95% or better isopropyl alcohol and Distilled water or just distilled water (tap water has minerals that can scratch the glass)
Spray the mixture onto a:
chamois cloth
or
microfiber cloth
or
100% cotton lint free cloth
Unless you actually want to scratch or damage your expensive equipment:
NEVER use paper towels, toilet paper, etc. ( they can scratch)
NEVER use any product containing ammonia (it can damage the coating)
NEVER use vinegar (it can break down the coating and turn the surface yellow)
Hope this helps someone.
December 30, 2008, 3:11 pm
Another pretty good product to clean LCD screens with is a product called Clearview. It is a Isopropyl Alcohol based product which contains no ammonia. I tried it on my 40 inch LCD TV and it did a nice job on the screen.
February 14, 2009, 9:14 pm
quote from http://www.wisegeek.com/how-should-i-clean-an-lcd-screen.htm
“While many people use isopropyl alcohol (not rubbing alcohol) in a 50/50 solution with distilled water, some manufacturers warn against using alcohol to clean an LCD screen. If you are inclined to use isopropyl rather than vinegar, check with the manufacturer’s website of your LCD product to be sure this is acceptable. Many store-bought LCD cleaners contain isopropyl and it is generally considered safe and effective.
Otherwise, a 50/50 solution of distilled water and clear vinegar can be combined in a spray bottle. Avoid using a bottle that had previous cleaners or agents in it — a new spray bottle can be purchased at the grocery store for a few dollars. Choose a sprayer that is capable of a fine mist.”
February 21, 2009, 1:01 pm
Vinegar is not good for your LCD. I buy these little wipes at Wal-Mart in the electronics section. It is an alcohol solution in an individually wrapped packet. They work well and you get like 20 or 30 for $1.97 best of all they are good to leave in your laptop bag for on the go cleaning since they are individually packaged.