If dust and smudges are making it difficult to get work done on your laptop because you can’t see the screen, it is definitely time for a good cleaning. Thankfully, cleaning a laptop screen is a simple task that can be accomplished safely using a multitude of techniques.
At Home Products
When cleaning a laptop screen, it is important to use clean cloth made from 100% cotton and a gentle cleaning solution. An old T-shirt works great. Just make sure your cloth is 100% cotton and not a cotton/polyester blend, which can scratch an LCD screen. Never use tissues or paper towels. They contain fibers that can wreak havoc on a delicate laptop screen. Never wipe the screen with a dry cloth because even tiny dust particles can cause fine scratches. The most effective cleaning solution is a mixture of 50% distilled water and 50% isopropyl alcohol. Simply spray or pour a small amount on your cloth then gently wipe your screen clean using a circular motion. For lightly soiled screens, a 50/50 solution of distilled water and white vinegar is also effective.
Store Bought Products
Most household cleaners, such as glass cleaner, should not be used on laptops. Many of these products contain ammonia and other chemicals that can cause irreparable damage to LCD screens. If you are going to use a store bought cleaning product, always be sure to read the bottle to make certain it is safe to use specifically on laptops. Remember to never spray a product directly on the screen.
If you would rather not use a cleaning liquid of any sort on your laptop, you can also buy an anti-static cloth. These cloths are specially made to be safe on delicate screens and can be used without any cleaning solution because they do not attract dust particles. They can be purchased at most computer or office supply stores.
By keeping your laptop screen clean using appropriate cleaning methods, not only are you ensuring it looks nice, but you are also extending the life of the screen. With basic maintenance, your laptop’s screen should last for several years.