We’re going to explain how to safely clean your computer screen , a maintenance task that should be done from time to time. In the best case scenario, over time you’ll accumulate dust that should be removed, and in the worst case scenario, you may also accumulate fingerprints that end up being annoying.
This is a much simpler task than general cleaning , so you won’t spend much time on it either. We’ll start by telling you the type of materials you’ll need, and then we’ll describe the simple cleaning process step by step.
What you will need to do it
First of all, before doing any kind of cleaning you have to make sure that your computer is turned off , especially if the screen is a laptop. It may seem unnecessary for cleaning a screen, but it will help to maximize safety and remove any risk. Also, if the screen is touch-sensitive it will also help to avoid accidentally moving things around on the desktop.
And the second step is In some stores you will be sold various specific kits for cleaning your screen, but as computer cleaning experts have said , these are not essentially necessary . In most cases you will be able to clean everything with products that you can find at a much better price in your nearest store.
To start, you will need 90% or higher isopropyl alcohol , as it does not damage the computer components, so it is a very good option to clean them without too much danger. You can also use other specific cleaners that are sold, of course, but most will be more expensive. Also, for the screen connectors and the different ports it may have, a compressed air spray is also convenient.
For the screen, you’ll also need a dust-catching cloth , which you can find in bulk for around 10 euros on Amazon , or in smaller packs at your local supermarket. You’ll also find it useful to have microfibre cloths . As with the cleaning fluid, you can also use cloths specifically for electronic devices, although again this isn’t strictly necessary.
Our little trick that he often uses. It is the recipe for a cleaning liquid that is used to clean delicate elements that cannot be wet too much, from your computer screen to its components, smartphones or vinyl records. It does not leave reflections and disinfects. Its composition is 75% distilled water, 25% isopropyl alcohol and a few drops of dehumidifier like the one used in photography to clean lenses.
And now, start with the cleaning
Once you have turned off your computer to avoid any problems, it is time to start cleaning the screen or monitor. Start by cleaning the outer frame and the back , as well as its base. For this, it may be necessary to use the dust-catching cloth. On the connections and ports that it may have, use the air spray contained in it to remove the dust and do a more thorough cleaning.
One small detail you have to keep in mind is to always clean from top to bottom . Let me explain, if you first clean the base of the monitor and then go on to the upper frame, you could drop dust from the frame onto the base and have to clean it twice. Therefore, it is better to start from the top and then gradually clean it downwards.
Once that is clean, you can start with the screen itself. Take the microfiber cloth or any other soft cloth, and after moistening it with isopropyl alcohol, the mixture that our colleague Juan Carlos gave us, or any other specific product such as sprays for cleaning screens , simply start to rub it gently .
It is important to wipe firmly to avoid smudges, but do not press too hard to avoid damaging the screen, as it is a component that may be more sensitive than it appears. Remember that the cloth should be damp, not soaked, to avoid dripping that could damage the equipment. Be especially careful when cleaning a laptop.
Finally, if you want to be thorough and clean the monitor contacts, you can also use a specific lubricant for electronic applications such as this one , or the homemade liquid we mentioned earlier. However, it is very important that the cable or equipment whose connectors we are cleaning is disconnected from the power supply.
