How to clean the screen of your Laptop Computer

It is always the same story. You buy a new Laptop and the screen is as bright as the sun, but as time goes by, dust particles and other components of the very air we breathe make that shiny look a thing of the past.
So, if you miss that shiny new laptop look, here’s how to prepare your own laptop screen cleaning kit using simple household ingredients.

dell laptop image

Ingredients

Isopropyl alcohol (common alcohol or ethanol may contain oil)
Distilled / deionized water (not tap water)
A soft cotton cloth

Step by step

Dilute isopropyl alcohol with distilled water in order to make a 50 : 50 Solution (equal parts of each).
Put the solution in a small atomizer bottle, the type that you push from the top to get a fine mist. It works really well at getting just the right amount on your screen with a spray on each quadrant.
Shut down your laptop, unplug it from the power adapter, and remove the battery before cleaning it or you risk damaging the laptop.
Apply the solution to a cotton cloth, such as an old T-shirt, lint-free microfiber cloth, or other very soft cloth. A large cloth is best, since it will help to reduce the risk of leaving streaks across the screen from finger pressure.
Wipe the cloth against the screen in a counter-clockwise, or other consistent motion. Apply an even pressure to the cloth but take care not to press your fingers into the cloth or screen.

Additional Tips

Expensive store-bought products contain the same mixture of alcohol and water. Others include Ethylene Glycol. You really do not need all these additions, which may be harmful to your health and that of the environment.
If you apply too much of the solution and it is drippy or too damp, wipe it off with a soft cloth and apply less.
Tissues will likely leave flakes of paper on your monitor. It’s better to not even try using them.
You don’t want mineral spots on your screen, so don’t use tap water.
Using a 100% cotton cloth or shirt alone, without the alcohol mix, can sometimes produce the same smudge-free results without going to the trouble of mixing your own solution.
If you’re a photographer, you can use your lint-free lens wipes instead of a soft cotton cloth.
If you are looking for a cheap way to get your hands on ready-made cleaning solution, try CD/DVD cleaner, which is often 55% Isopropyl alcohol and is not harmful to most plastic surfaces.
Lint free cotton cloth will work best.
If you are the owner of a lacquered instrument you can use a dry polishing cloth. You have to use a bit more force with dried on spots, but with smudges it works just fine.

Warnings

NEVER drink Isopyopyl alcohol.
Don’t use cheap paper towels. You will scratch the LCD screen.
Avoid using products such as Windex because these contain ammonia and it can degrade the LCD panel.
If in doubt, test a small area of screen first.