Keeping Your Monitor Clean

Cleaning the monitor of a television or computer is simple and takes just a few minutes. However, it is necessary to do this job correctly to avoid damaging the monitor or the circuitry inside.

Turn off the monitor

Before you begin cleaning the monitor, turn it off. This enables you to see the dust and dirt better against the black background.

Wipe with a dry cloth

Gently wipe the dust and dirt from the screen with a dry, microfiber cloth. You can also use an electrostatic cloth or a special cloth that is recommended by the manufacturer of your monitor. Do not use paper towels, tissues or rags, because they are apt to leave lint on the screen and can cause scratches. Also, avoid rubbing or pressing on the screen, so you do not damage it.

Dampen the cloth

If the dry cloth did not remove all the dirt, dampen the cloth with distilled water or with a solution of equal parts of vinegar and water. You can also use a special cleaning agent that is made for cleaning monitors, but vinegar and water is usually effective. Do not use any cleaner that includes ammonia, ethyl alcohol, acetone, toluene, ethyl acid or methyl chloride, as these agents can react with materials in the screen and cause yellowing or other damage. Always apply the cleaning solution to the cloth; do not spray it on the screen, so the liquid does not run inside and cause damage.

Clean the plastic edge

You can use any household cleaner to clean the plastic edge that surrounds the screen of the monitor. Just take care that the cleaner does not come in contact with the screen, so it does not cause damage.

It is not hard to clean a monitor, but it pays to do it correctly. Using the wrong type of cloth or cleaner can damage the monitor, and that is something you want to avoid at all costs.