subject: How to clean new computer monitors [print this page] How to clean new computer monitors How to clean new computer monitors
Don't you really love the experience of taking the wrapping off a new PC monitor and seeing how beautifully clean the screen surface will most likely be? But then things go wrong. How can you return the screen to its former glory?
All you will need is:
1) 70% Isopropyl alcohol (IPA, rubbing alcohol)
2) Deionised water
Simply mix the sterilized water and IPA in equal parts (1:1) within a bottle of spray. Any used household cleaning bottles will probably be acceptable for this, but ensure that you do rinse well with sterilized water before using. Be aware that regular water contains dissolved minerals and salts that will scratch or leave residues on the monitor so do not rinse with tap water. Rubbing alcohol is different to ethyl-based alcohols such as drinkable spirits. Don't try and substitute IPA for some leftover spirits, such alcohols will damage the protective screen coatings. You can get IPA in 70% concentration in a few electronic specialist stores, but on several places online. If you can only buy 99(.9)% IPA you'll be able to dilute it towards the desired concentration; whichever IPA you obtain, keep in mind that it evaporates readily; do not buy an excessive amount of right away, always ensure the bottle is tightly sealed and kept in a cool place.
The correct procedure -
As well as your distilled water and IPA solution in a bottle, you should have a high-quality microfibre cloth. TFT monitor screens are considerably less tough than glass screens, which means you can't just use whichever cloth you want. In addition to being very soft, microfibre clothes also hold in dust and dirt and prevent smeary residues that will hamper any cleaning effort on your part.
Turn your screen off and ensure it is cool - CCFL backlit computer monitors particularly could become quite warm after prolonged use, and this could cause the solution to evaporate too quickly to have an effective clean. Apply the solution right to the microfibre cloth - sparingly is ideal, as it is less likely to leave a residue and you can always apply more a little later. Gently rub down and up (not horizontally), ideally covering not more than a 5 inch area of the screen surface at any time. You may also find it helps to apply slightly more pressure on the downward stroke to avoid smearing - but remember that applying an excessive amount of pressure to the screen can harm the pixels and the screen itself is delicate.
A good clean should take at least 5 minutes for a relatively small screen this may tire your arm. You shouldn't be afraid to unplug your monitor, detach the stand (if at all possible) and set it against a soft surface for an even more thorough and comfortable clean. If you do have an existing premade screen-cleaning solution that can be used on LCD monitors, please feel free to use this first with the method shown. Whichever solution you have, you might find that a slight residue remains - the wonderful thing about using IPA and sanitized water is the fact that solution slices through grease and rapidly evaporates so that residues are unlikely. Should you notice some residue, apply a bit more of the solution to the cloth and repeat the cleaning method. It might have been that you applied too much solution over the first clean, in this case you should allow the cloth to dry and rub the screen without solution.
You should now be able to enjoy the cleanliness and image clarity that you got when you first started using your PC monitor. If you still aren't satisfied with your monitor then maybe it's time for a new screen.
