What should I use to clean my laptop screen with?

Question

It's absolutely filthy. Also the keyboard. Should I use product, a damp or dry soft cloth?

Answer 1

Do you miss that shiny new laptop look? Here's how to brew your own laptop screen cleaning kit with household ingredients.
Steps

1. Dilute isopropyl alcohol into a mix with no more than 50% alcohol and the rest distilled water.
2. Apply the mix to a cotton cloth, like an old T-shirt, lint-free microfiber cloth, or other very soft cloth. A large cloth is best, since it will help reduce the risk that finger pressure leaves streaks in the screen.
3. Wipe the cloth against the screen, in a counter-clockwise or other consistent motion. Take care not to press your fingers into the cloth (and screen) but apply an even pressure to the cloth.


Tips

* Expensive store-bought products such as Kensington Screen Guardian contain the same mixture of alcohol and water. 3M's Antistatic Cleaning Solution contains this same mix plus Ethylene Glycol.
* If you apply too much (drippy/overly damp), wipe it off with a soft cloth and apply less.
* Tissues will likely leave flakes of paper on your monitor. It's better to not even try it.
* You don't want mineral spots on your screen, so don't use tap water.
* Using a 100% cotton cloth or shirt alone, without the alcohol mix, can sometimes produce the same smudge-free results without going to the trouble of mixing your own solution.
* If you're a photographer, you can use your lint-free lens wipes instead of a soft cotton cloth.
* Put the solution in a small spritzer bottle, the type that you push from the top to get a fine mist, it works really well at getting just the right amount on your screen with a spray on each quadrant.
* If you are looking for a cheap way to get your hands on ready made cleaning solution, try CD/DVD cleaner which is often 55% Isopropyl alcohol and is not harmful to most plastic surfaces.


Warnings

* Do not drink Isopropyl Alcohol. It is NOT grain alcohol. It is toxic.
* Do not use cheap paper towels. You will scratch the LCD screen.
* Avoid using products like Windex which contain ammonia that can degrade the LCD panel.
* Shut down your laptop, unplug it from the power adapter, and remove the battery before cleaning it.


Things You'll Need

* Isopropyl Alcohol
* Distilled water
* A soft cotton cloth

Answer 2

I've always had success with Windex on both screen and keyboard.

However, do NOT spray it directly on to the screen, because then liquid will run down the screen into the electronic works. Very Bad!

Spray onto a clean cloth or paper towel until it's just damp, not soaking wet, and then use that cloth on the screen. I've done this for years with no problem and no damage.

Same thing applies to your TV, by the way.

Answer 3

There are some kind of spray with liquid that specially for the screen. Or you can just use wet sponge.

Answer 4

look out for anti-static cloth at the computer store. wet wiping will allow new dust to stick.

you can also get a can of cleaner that blows out dust from the keyboard.

in future, dont eat and drink around it.

Answer 5

dry microfiber, there are also damp wipes that are made for lcd screens you can buy at the store.

Answer 6

a nice piece of white cloth will do fine.