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Q: Computer desktop maintenance ( Answered,   2 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Computer desktop maintenance
Category: Computers
Asked by: gil74-ga
List Price: $2.00
Posted: 27 Apr 2004 07:38 PDT
Expires: 27 May 2004 07:38 PDT
Question ID: 336950
what can one use to clean fingerprints and smudges off computer
monitor surface without damaging the antiglare coating?
Answer  
Subject: Re: Computer desktop maintenance
Answered By: tlspiegel-ga on 27 Apr 2004 10:15 PDT
 
Hi gil74,


Clean the Screen 
http://www.compukiss.com/sandyclassroom/tutorials/article914.htm

After I clean my glasses, I am always amazed by how much more clearly
I can see. The same is true of the computer screen. In everyday use,
it accumulates dust, dirt, and fingerprints. An occasional cleaning is
definitely in order. The correct way to clean your monitor depends on
the type of monitor you have. Here are a few tips for the two most
common types of computer screens.

While it is not necessary to turn the monitor off to clean it, this
can be a good idea. When the monitor is off, you can see the smudges
and dirt better, and you can be sure that you won?t burn out any
electrical components if water or cleaning liquid is inadvertently
dripped onto or into the monitor. By the way, if liquid is ever
dripped onto a monitor, you should turn it off immediately and allow
it to dry completely before turning it back on.

CRTs

Those big chunky CRT monitors have glass screen which are easily
cleaned. The important thing to remember is that you don?t ever want
to spray any liquid directly on the screen. Instead, spray the cloth
with water or a mild window cleaning solution then wipe the screen.
You can use the same damp cloth to clean the entire monitor case, as
well. If you prefer, you can also use moistened paper towels to clean
CRT monitors, You will be only cleaning the outside of the monitor
case and screen. Never open the monitor casing which contain electric
voltage that can cause a shock.

Flat Panel LCDs

LCD monitors are often called flat panel monitors because they are
flat and thin. These are the types of screens that are used in most
laptop computers, and they are also becoming very popular for desktop
computers. LCD screens are softer than CRT glass screens, so they
require some extra tender loving care. Keep your fingers and sharp
objects away from these screens since they are susceptible to damage
and scratches.

Use a soft dry cotton cloth to remove fingerprints and smudges from
the screen. If this does not completely remove the dirt and splotches,
use a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on the cleaning cloth that has
been dampened with water. (A small amount of vinegar can be
substituted for the isopropyl alcohol.) Again, spray the liquid on the
cloth and never directly onto the screen. Do not use paper towels on
an LCD screen as they can scratch the screen. Never use ammonia,
ammonia-based cleaners, or strong cleaners which can cause the surface
to yellow and become brittle.

It is good to have a special clean cloth that is dedicated to use on
the LCD screen. Don?t pick up any old rag, as dirt particles in the
rag can scratch the surface of the screen. Special LCD cleaning cloths
are available and can be an excellent investment.

The best cleaning method is to stroke the cloth across the display in
one direction, moving from the top of the display to the bottom.

Why not make cleaning your computer monitor a part of your spring
cleaning, as well as a part of your regular cleaning routine? It will
allow you to see more clearly, for sure.

=================================================

Q: What's the best way to clean a computer monitor's screen? 

A: Answer 

The best way to clean a monitor is with proper anti-static glass
cleaner, but it does cost a fair bit compared to some of the homebrew
solutions that I prefer to use :)

I've found that using a weak alcohol on a lint-free cloth can achieve
just about the same results as that expensive glass cleaner. Get some
aftershave on a piece of tissue paper (not too much though... unless
you think your monitor has a BO issue), and it'll take any smears,
grease or dirt off no problem within a couple of rubs. If you want to
remove any trace of the alcohol, wet another piece of tissue paper
with a little bit of water - just enough to make it slightly moist,
but not so that it drips (water + electricity = not good. Common sense
really ;)... You can rub off any of the alcohol or excess dust with
that, and boom you're done.

If you do use something like alcohol, bear in mind it may well produce
rainbow smearing effects on the glass when you first wipe it down -
these will disappear as the alcohol evaporates and the screen dries
off. No worries. :)

If you're cleaning an LCD monitor, you have to be much more careful,
as the screens use plastic, not glass. Again, you can use a
(carefully) moistened bit of tissue paper, so long as it's fairly good
quality - too rough and it may minutely scratch the screen, just
enough to annoy you after you've cleaned it like that several times.
If you have a glasses cleaning cloth to hand which is fairly clean
(again, lint-free), they work no problems. That's what I use when I'm
borrowing my Dad's flatscreen.

=================================================

Screen Care Products
http://www.photodon.com/csc.htm

Click on the links for: 

Screen and Office Equipment Kit  
Laptop / Notebook Kit  
Monitor - Big Screen Kit 


Guidelines for LCD, & Computer Screen Cleaning:
http://www.photodon.com/csc.htm#clean

Please note: 

LCD screens are not glass, the LCD surface is made of a soft film that
is vulnerable to scratches, damage by a sharp articles or improper
cleaners.
Most cathode ray tube (CRT) type monitors have anti-glare coatings to
help reduce reflections, this surface can be damaged by scratches and
or harsh cleaners.
 
Many large screen and projection type TV's have a screen that is made
of a plastic / acrylic type material, these type screens require
special attention to clean properly and safely.

The following instructions are good general safe methods for keeping
your LCD, CRT or TV screen clean without causing surface damage.*

We recommend using our high quality microfiber screen cloth without
any type of additional cleaner for everyday type screen cleaning. Then
for stubborn dirt and stains use the same microfiber screen cloth
lightly sprayed with a quality screen cleaner These type of products
are available using the links above, and on these pages from
Photodon.com.

For on the road laptop / notebook users (road warriors) we recommend
the use of our microfiber sceen cloth for everyday usage, but instead
of carrying the liquid cleaner our use our pre-moistened screen wipes.
With the wipes you do not need to worry about any sort of liquid
leaking onto your clothes or equipment.

First be sure your monitor or screen is turned off. This is a saftey
issue, but also it is easier to see the surface your cleaning with the
monitor off, especially those oily finger prints.

To avoid scratching these delicate surfaces, use a soft brush or cloth
to gently brush away any larger dirt particles. Alternately the larger
particles can be blown from the surface with the use of canned air.

Next use a soft, clean lint free cloth or preferably a high quality
microfiber screen cloth to clean the surface. Make sure the cloth
itself does not contain any sand or grit. Remember, most computer
including LCD flat panel screens have a anti-glare coating that can be
easily scratched.

When necessary use a quality screen cleaner, spray a small amount of
the cleaner onto the cloth, then wipe the cleaner onto the screen
using the screen cloth. Spraying directly onto a screen is not good in
that the excess moisture could seep into the edge of the screen
causing problems. An excessive amount of moisture could ruin, or cause
screen problems, so do be cautious with liquid cleaners.

Avoid using kleenex, paper towels, sponges or other coarse shop
towels, as these materials may contain abrasives that can scratch
plastic, acrylic, poly carbonate surfaces or surface coatings. Also
you will find many fabrics to be quite dusty or linty, leaving the
same on your screen.

Also avoid these cleaning chemicals: keytone type material (Acetone),
as they can cause damage to coatings or LCD polarizers.

Work from one edge of the screen to the other and only in one
direction, the idea is not to redeposit any derbis back onto the
screen. Wipe gently and Do not over work or apply excessive pressure
to avoid damaging the surface or surface coatings. Finally clean the
edges and corners lifting any dust or debris into the cloth.

If your using a microfiber cloth they may be washed and reused over
and over. A few tips on cleaning: You can wash these with normal wash
machine load but avoid washing with anything that might be quite
linty, avoid using bleach or fabric softeners. We do not recommend
drying them in the dryer, air drying is a safer bet.

How do I clean ink from a laptop / notebook screen?
We carry a product made specifically for laptop / notebooks that will
remove some inks from the screen (not heavy or permanent inks). It is
a pre-moistened wipe.  http://www.photodon.com/csc.htm#lcdwipes

Contacts:

Photodon
2496 Potter Road E.
Traverse City, MI USA 49686-8599

Phone: 231-946-3388 9am to 5pm EST 
Fax: 775-535-1646 




Keyword search:

clean monitor screen surface
clean monitor screen
clean CRT monitor screen surface
clean LCD monitor screen surface
clean flat screen screen surface


Best regards,
tlspiegel
Comments  
Subject: Re: Computer desktop maintenance
From: ramazas-ga on 27 Apr 2004 07:42 PDT
 
There are special carpets like
http://www.welovemacs.com/ik1.html

or aerozol like:
http://www.mycableshop.com/sku/K45.htm
Subject: Re: Computer desktop maintenance
From: xeno555-ga on 27 Apr 2004 09:32 PDT
 
My personal favorite.

Nice'n Clean anti-static cleaning wipes for electronic equipment.

Purchise at nearest WalMart.

www.nicepak.com

X

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