How to Clean Computer Screens Perfectly

A lot of times you pick up your computer to use and rays of sunlight hit your screen. You then notice that there is a lot of dust and several fingerprint marks on the screen. At this point, you realize it has been ages since you last attempted screen cleaning and you just want to wipe the dirt off with your hand.

As tempting as this might be, it is the wrong move to make. Screen cleaning is a very delicate, yet important process. Computer screens can get very dirty easily and often as a result of different things like dust, fingerprint smears, and even sneezes. This could make your computer difficult to use. A dirty screen could even become a source of germ transmission.

You should understand how to clean computer screens properly and how to use your computer to prevent any damage to the screens. Here is everything you need to know about screen cleaning:

Why You Should Clean Your Computer Screen

There are several factors that make it necessary to clean computer screens. These factors make screen cleaning a necessity. Take a look at a few reasons why you should clean computer screens:

It Could Make You Sick

Your computer screen could accumulate a lot of dirt that goes unnoticed. When you touch your computer screen, you could transfer the accumulated germs and bacteria from its surface into your body. This could eventually build up and cause you to get sick. To prevent this, it is important to make screen cleaning a routine process.

It Could Result in Overheating

If there is a lot of dust and dirt on your screen, it could be a sign that dust and dirt are accumulating inside your computer. This can cause the vents and fans to get clogged up and make your computer overheat. Overheating could cause significant damage to the hardware of the computer. 

If you use a laptop, overheating could significantly drain your battery. This is because the fans have to keep running in a bid to cool the computer. Overheating could also cause your screen to run at maximum and this could significantly slow it down. A slow computer would definitely make working very frustrating. You could prevent this if you take the time to clean computer screens properly.

You Use Your Computer Frequently

The more frequently you use your computer, the more frequently you have to clean it. This is because your computer endures a lot of wear and tear from frequent usage. It also gathers a lot of dust, dirt, and grime from continuous usage. If you use a laptop that you move around, your laptop becomes more exposed to at least twice the amount of dirt that a stationary monitor would be exposed to. This means you will have to clean computer screens more often. 

To Preserve Your Computer

If you clean computer screens timely and properly, you can maintain the computer better. This will help to extend the shelf life of the computer. It will also save you a lot of costs that could have gone into repairs or even replacing parts of or the entire computer. 

Preparation Required for Screen Cleaning 

Before you clean computer screens, you need to make adequate preparations. First of all, you want to check the manual for your computer to determine if your screen is a backlit LED screen made with LCD (liquid-crystal display) pixels, or if it is a non-LCD glass-coated surface. 

You also want to check for any specific instructions and recommendations that the manufacturers may have given. You need all the information you can get to help you clean computer screens. 

You should also ensure you have all the necessary materials and supplies you need to clean computer screens. These screen cleaning supplies include:

• Non-abrasive screen cleaning solution. You can buy this at the store or prepare one using equal parts of distilled water and vinegar
• Dry, soft lint-free cloth preferably a microfiber cloth
• Spray bottle

How to Clean Computer Monitor

Now that you have your screen cleaning supplies, it is time to start to clean computer screens. Here are 4 steps to follow when screen cleaning:

Step 1

The first thing to do when cleaning computer screens is to switch off your computer. There are two major reasons for this. It makes it easier to notice the dust, dirt, and smudges on the screen. It also prevents the risk of getting shocked if you use a screen cleaning solution.

Step 2 

The next thing is to clean computer screens by using a microfiber cloth to wipe your screen. If you are dealing with just dust, a quick wipe would do the trick. Ensure you get into corners. You also want to be gentle as you wipe when you clean computer screens.

Step 3 

If there are still smudges on the screen during screen cleaning, you can dampen part of the microfiber cloth with little distilled water or cleaning fluids designed for screen cleaning and wipe the screen from side to side lightly. Do not clean computer screens edges with the damp edge to avoid any liquid seeping into your screen.

Step 4 

After you clean computer screens, wipe the screen with a dry microfiber cloth and then leave it to air dry. Ensure it is properly dry before you switch on your computer. This is to prevent any electrical hazards after screen cleaning.

Cleaning Screen for Touchscreen Displays

Screen cleaning for Touch Screen Monitor can be slightly different. This is because of the additional layer of protective screen on them that makes screen cleaning a lot easier. However, you still have to take the necessary precautions you would ordinarily take when you clean computer screens.

Touchscreen displays are usually more sensitive than standard displays and this means you have to be a lot more careful when screen cleaning. All you often need to clean computer screens for touchscreen displays is to gently wipe down the screen with a microfiber cloth. Because of their sensitivity to pressure, you want to avoid pressing down on them during screen cleaning as this could damage the sensors.

When it comes to touchscreen displays, you should clean computer screens a lot more frequently than with standard displays. This is because of the sweat and grime from your fingertips that come in contact with it over time.

Don’ts When Cleaning Computer Screens

There are a few things you should not do when you clean computer screens. Doing them may result in damage to your computer. Here are a few don’t to follow during screen cleaning:

Don’t Clean Computer Screens When They are On or Plugged in

During screen cleaning, the first thing you want to do is to switch off the computer and unplug it. As stated earlier, this makes screen cleaning easier and prevents electrical hazards. 

Don’t Use Chemicals

Another thing to avoid when you clean computer screens are cleaning solutions that contain chemicals like ammonia, acetone, rubbing alcohol, or ethyl alcohol. Cleaning solutions that contain these chemicals can damage the protective coating on your screen.

Don’t Apply Too Much Pressure

While screen cleaning, be sure not to apply too much pressure. Computer screens are sensitive and cannot be damaged beyond repair if you apply too much pressure on them. As much as possible, avoid circular motions when wiping your screen or buffing a spot. Instead, consider using wide motions from one side of the screen to the other or from top to bottom. This will save your computer from any possible damage.

Don’t Spray Directly on the Screen

When you clean computer screens, you want to avoid spraying the cleaning solution directly on the screen. If you do this, you risk the fluid running down into the edges and into your computer. This can cause some complications and damage to the hardware of your computer. It is best to spray the solution on your microfiber cloth and wipe your computer screen.

How to Maintain a Clean and Healthy Screen 

After cleaning your computer screen, you want to keep your screen healthy and looking clean. There are a few proactive steps you can take to ensure this. However, you must understand that these steps would not prevent the need to clean your screen when it eventually gets dirty.

One of the major causes of dirt on your screen is your keyboard. Dirt, oils, and dead skin cells from your fingers are deposited in your keyboard as you use it. This then transfers to your screen when you close your laptop. You can easily prevent this by placing a thin microfiber cloth on top of your keyboard before closing it.

As much as possible, you also want to avoid touching your computer screen to prevent smudges. You can also keep a handy microfiber cloth to clean your screen regularly.

Keep your computer in a sealed plastic bag or computer bag if you would not be using it for some time. This will stop dust from building inside the computer. 

Conclusion

Most manufacturers have different guidelines and recommendations for cleaning, so ensure you read through them first. When cleaning your computer screen, ensure you use materials that will not cause any damage to your computer and be gentle. Lastly, remember that screen cleaning should be a routine process, not a one-off thing.