What do you use to clean monitors and laptop screens

HFultzjr

Well-Known Member
Reaction score
907
Location
Central PA, USA
Hi all,

I'm looking for some opinions.

What are you're procedures for cleaning monitors and laptop screens.

I've been using 50/50 distilled water and isopropyl alcohol on a soft lint free cotton cloth.

I've been thinking of switching to 50/50 with white vinegar, as some suggest not using alcohol.

You're thoughts please?
 
fine dusting with Pledge polish (from a distance).cheap and gives lovely like new anti static shine! bit naughty i expect but works lovely
 
Huh, I been using 91% alcohol for years and never had an issue. Wonder why some might suggest not using it.
 
Damp microfiber cloth. No need for any cleaners. I have used expensive LCD cleaner, cheap LCD cleaner and very thing in between. Best of all it's free ;) just be smart about it.
 
if is is light marks on the screen I will use a slightly damp cloth otherwise I use the same as iisjman07 and use Muc off. I also keep it in stock to sell to my customers
 
Hi all,

I'm looking for some opinions.

What are you're procedures for cleaning monitors and laptop screens.

I've been using 50/50 distilled water and isopropyl alcohol on a soft lint free cotton cloth.

I've been thinking of switching to 50/50 with white vinegar, as some suggest not using alcohol.

You're thoughts please?

I have always used a 50/50 mix of Distilled water and Distilled white vinegar. Use a clean cloth to apply it liberally on the screen and rub it around. Then take a second cloth and wipe it off. I take a used pump spray bottle and fill it and leave it on the work bench. It really does a great job and is very cost effective.

Be sure to note: DISTILLED. If you use tap water then you are introducing minerals that will leave a "film" on the screen. Alcohol is bad for screens. Especially laptop screens.

Best Regards,

coffee
 
Last edited:
Huh, I been using 91% alcohol for years and never had an issue. Wonder why some might suggest not using it.

I'm not sure either, but google presents a lot of conflicting preferences.

I've used 50/50 alcohol and distilled water for years with no problems.

I was wondering if I was just lucky, or if there are newer coatings that are not compatible.

Right now I'm looking towards Brillianize.

Are there different versions of Brillianize, or is it all the same?

Thanks,
 
I have always used a 50/50 mix of Distilled water and Distilled white vinegar. Use a clean cloth to apply it liberally on the screen and rub it around. Then take a second cloth and wipe it off. I take a used pump spray bottle and fill it and leave it on the work bench. It really does a great job and is very cost effective.

Be sure to note: DISTILLED. If you use tap water then you are introducing minerals that will leave a "film" on the screen. Alcohol is bad for screens. Especially laptop screens.

Best Regards,

coffee


Not to question you're usage, but why is alcohol bad for laptop screens?

I have been using it with 50/50 distilled water, but after reading you're recommendation and others, what have I been missing? Have I just been lucky?

Thanks,
 
I use Eye-Glasses Cleaner...

1. It has to be clean or your glasses would bother you!

2. It has to be safe for anti-glare coatings on glasses.

3. You get free refills :D



I then use automotive microfiber towels; since, they are huge and don't scratch.
 
Not to question you're usage, but why is alcohol bad for laptop screens?

I have been using it with 50/50 distilled water, but after reading you're recommendation and others, what have I been missing? Have I just been lucky?

Thanks,

It is my belief that alcohol tends to dry out screens and make plastic brittle. It actually does more damage than what its worth over time.

Besides, Just mixing up a 50/50 DISTILLED water and DISTILLED white vinegar is not expensive and really does a great job! You dont need to buy all those fantasic, superdoper products out there. I can make a monitor screen look brand new with this mix and even my customers always say, " Boy it sure looks clean! How did you do that?".

If you want to drop your money on these "Mostly Advertising" liquid cleaners fine. But you will never get a better value than the 50/50 mix.

Go get a used flat screen monitor and try it out. First sprits a liberal amount of the mix on a clean cloth, Then go over the screen and rub it around. Then take a dry clean cloth and do the same. Its just too easy.
 
It is my belief that alcohol tends to dry out screens and make plastic brittle. It actually does more damage than what its worth over time.

Besides, Just mixing up a 50/50 DISTILLED water and DISTILLED white vinegar is not expensive and really does a great job! You dont need to buy all those fantasic, superdoper products out there. I can make a monitor screen look brand new with this mix and even my customers always say, " Boy it sure looks clean! How did you do that?".

If you want to drop your money on these "Mostly Advertising" liquid cleaners fine. But you will never get a better value than the 50/50 mix.

Go get a used flat screen monitor and try it out. First sprits a liberal amount of the mix on a clean cloth, Then go over the screen and rub it around. Then take a dry clean cloth and do the same. Its just too easy.

I will have to try what you have suggested, but I have never seen any issues with using alcohol. In fact, I have had computers come back to the shop months or even a year later and recleaned them and still never saw any issues. Anyways, I clean the rest of the laptop with alcohol and i tend to clean the screen while I am at it and they look great when done.
 
It is my belief that alcohol tends to dry out screens and make plastic brittle. It actually does more damage than what its worth over time.

Besides, Just mixing up a 50/50 DISTILLED water and DISTILLED white vinegar is not expensive and really does a great job! You dont need to buy all those fantasic, superdoper products out there. I can make a monitor screen look brand new with this mix and even my customers always say, " Boy it sure looks clean! How did you do that?".

If you want to drop your money on these "Mostly Advertising" liquid cleaners fine. But you will never get a better value than the 50/50 mix.

Go get a used flat screen monitor and try it out. First sprits a liberal amount of the mix on a clean cloth, Then go over the screen and rub it around. Then take a dry clean cloth and do the same. Its just too easy.


I'm going to switch to 50/50 distilled white vinegar and give it a try.

I'm also going to order a small bottle of brillianize, just to compare, (just because it looks so interesting).

I'll let everyone know my results.

Thank you very much for the info.
 
I'm going to switch to 50/50 distilled white vinegar and give it a try.

I'm also going to order a small bottle of brillianize, just to compare, (just because it looks so interesting).

I'll let everyone know my results.

Thank you very much for the info.

Im thinking that something like "brillianize" has some type of light oil in it or something to make the screen or plastic look glossy. But its just a thought. Im going to pull a monitor right now thats kinda ugly looking and clean it. Some spots that are from weird stuff do not come off and have to be cleaned later as I have seen. I was gonna try and take a video of me cleaning a screen but I dont have time. Im sorry.

coffee
 
Last edited:
70% Iso Alcohol. I go through a gallon a month, maybe more. I like the 70 because it hydrates some of the crap better than a drier alcohol.
 
Back
Top