How To Clean A Monitor

Believe it or not, your monitor needs some tender loving care too. The latest models of monitors come with an array of spectacular features. They are sharper and the picture quality is exquisite. However, all this comes at a price – today’s monitors are also quite delicate. This is why taking good care of them is an absolute must.

Cleaning a monitor should be a part of your routine because even a little dust can damage it. Also, smudges and debris can ruin your viewing & working experience.

In this article, we will go into the details of cleaning monitors so that you understand the dos and don’ts and take good care of your companion.

How To Clean A Monitor

It is easy, quick, and economical! Simply follow the steps below and you will know that we are right:

1. Start by switching off your monitor and unplugging it. Then, wait for it to cool down. This is crucial because cleaning a hot screen can have negative effects. It also makes the job more difficult.
2. Now, dust the monitor to get rid of the obvious dust. A rubber duster will help you here. You don’t need to touch the monitor yet. Just dust it gently but well with as little direct contact as possible.
3. After you are sure that the dust has been wiped off, pick your microfiber cloth and wipe the monitor. This cloth will help get rid of stubborn dust particles that withstood the previous cleaning step. At this point, make sure you are not touching your screen directly. Wear gloves if needed so that you don’t smudge the screen. Also, hold the cloth in such a way that only the cloth is in contact with the monitor.
4. Always slide the cloth right to left or top to bottom. Circular cleaning is not really optimal because all areas may not be covered and you will see round buffer spots later on.
5. For the next step, get some distilled water and dampen your microfiber cloth. Give your monitor another round of wiping. At this point, almost all of the dirt and smudges will disappear. If you have any more stubborn stains, you may use white vinegar as well (1:1 ratio with distilled water).

Things to remember while cleaning a monitor

Even though the actual cleaning process is very easy and straightforward, many people get confused or go overboard. To help you further, thus, we have listed out a few points you should keep in mind during this process:

1. A microfiber cloth is the best option when it comes to cleaning a monitor because it is very gentle. Do not use any other cloth such as a rag or even paper towels. If you don’t have a microfiber cloth, please purchase one – it is available in all grocery stores.
2. Use only distilled water and not soap water.
3. Don’t use any liquid (even water) directly on the monitor. Some of us have the habit of spraying soap water or alcohol directly and then wiping it down. This can actually damage the screen.
4. Avoid using your fingernails to scrape off stains. It may be satisfying but it is also very damaging.
5. The cloth should be damp with distilled water but never dripping wet.

How to sanitize your monitor

It is also a good idea to sanitize your monitor every now and then, especially if multiple people use your system. Thankfully, this is an easy process as well! The steps are as follows:

1. Turn your computer OFF and let the monitor cool down.
2. Since you will be using a safe disinfecting solution, make sure you wear disposable gloves.
3. Use a microfiber cloth to first wipe the dust off.
4. Next, moisten it with 70% isopropyl alcohol solution. If you are using any other disinfectant, please make sure it has been formulated to sanitize screens. Other solutions may be harsh.
5. Wipe the monitor gently without applying much pressure.
6. Let the monitor air-dry before switching it ON again.
7. Discard the gloves and wash your hands thoroughly.

Conclusion

Make cleaning and sanitizing your monitor a routine activity and your computer will thank you. It will easily last longer and the picture quality will stay crystal-clear without any problems. So, go on then, take good care of your monitor!