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How to clean your computer LCD display

Remember when your computer LCD display had that brand-new, fresh out-of-the-box shine? If it's looking a bit dull lately, we'll show you how to safely give it a good cleaning.

Ed Rhee
Ed Rhee, a freelance writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is an IT veteran turned stay-at-home-dad of two girls. He focuses on Android devices and applications while maintaining a review blog at techdadreview.com.
Ed Rhee
Samsung FX2490HD
Samsung

Remember when your computer LCD display had that brand-new, fresh out-of-the-box shine? If it's looking a little dull lately, it might be time to give it a good cleaning. Here's how:

Step 1: Disconnect the power cord from desktop monitors. For laptop displays, turn the laptop off, unplug the power cord, and remove the battery.

Step 2: Gently wipe the dust from the surface of the display using a dry, lint-free cloth, like a microfiber cloth. Remove any tags that may be on the cloth to avoid scratching the display with the tags.

Step 3: For tough spots, lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with water and gently wipe the display with as little pressure as possible.

If you prefer, you can use a cleanser made specifically for cleaning LCD displays, but do not spray it directly onto the display. Spray a small amount of the cleaner onto a microfiber cloth first, to avoid getting any cleaning solution inside the display.

Do not use any products with the following agents:

  • ammonia
  • ethyl alcohol
  • acetone
  • ethyl acid
  • methyl chloride

Those cleaning agents will damage the finish and any special coatings that may be on the display.

Related links
How to clean and disinfect your keyboard and mouse
How to clean your smartphone or tablet
How to safely clean glossy displays (video)