How to clean LCD screens

LCD screens are not actually made of glass. An LCD (liquid crystal display) screen is made up of a soft film that is very susceptible to damage from scratches and smudging. So, using strong chemicals and harsh clothes to clean it is generally a bad idea. To find out more about how to clean PC LCD screens and LCD screens, keep on reading.

More about LCDs

The first LCD was manufactured in 1968 by RCA. The screen is made up of countless pixels which filter the light in a controlled manner. One type of LCD, called TFT uses an active matrix to enhance image quality. LCD technology has become very popular and is now used in laptops, High Definition TVs and many other devices.

Some tips on cleaning LCD screens

Use an appropriate LCD cleaner You can either buy a specially formulated LCD cleaner and LCD wipes, or even make your own LCD cleaner by mixing alcohol and water. Specially formulated LCD cleaners can be expensive, and if you read their ingredients label, you will realise that you could easily replicate these solutions at home. One recipe for making your own home-made solution is the following: mix white vinegar with distilled water, put it in a spray bottle and use a clean, soft cloth to clean LCD screen. You need to always spray the mixture onto the cloth and not directly to the screen. A soft cloth, some white vinegar or alcohol and distilled water can be purchased for a couple of pounds at the supermarket, and can work just as well as the expensive LCD cleaners.
Don’t touch the screen too often Your fingers may leave dirt and oil on the screen, and they may also cause damage to the LCD screen.
Avoid using inappropriate chemicals and screen wipes You should never use a product that contains ammonia because it may react with the screen and lead to discolourations and cloudiness. This means that you may end up with fog covering your screen or with green or orange patches. Additionally, you should avoid using abrasive or sharp wipes to clean the screen. Stay away from paper towels which may scratch the surface of the screen. You can either buy laptop wipes or if you cannot afford them, use a soft cloth like an old, soft t-shirt or a cloth diaper.