Many laptops and notebooks now feature a type of display called a thin-film transistor (TFT) monitor. It’s not uncommon to find the terms “LCD monitor” and “TFT monitor” used interchangeably by computer experts, but the same basic advice applies to both types of displays. To clean one properly, you should use a lint-free cloth and apply very gentle pressure. If the screen is very dirty, you can use plain water or water with a little vinegar to clean it, but you should never spray the liquid directly on the monitor.
Add a small amount of vinegar to the water to remove excess dirt.
Applying pressure to a TFT monitor can cause permanent damage to the sensitive crystals electronically pressed between two thin sheets of plastic, making cleaning a more involved process than cleaning its glass-covered CRT cousin. It can also draw moisture to itself through capillary action, so spraying liquid cleaner directly onto the screen can also be problematic. Moisture absorbed by the screen surface will not go away voluntarily and may damage the entire screen.
A TFT monitor.
To properly clean a TFT screen, it is important to remember that it is plastic, not glass. Traditional glass cleaners often contain alcohol or ammonia, which is harmless to glass but bad for plastic. Never use household glass cleaners, as ammonia or alcohol can cause plastic to yellow and degrade.
A desktop computer with a TFT monitor.
Instead, many experts suggest using clean water and a lint-free microfiber cloth designed to clean optics. A small amount of a weak acid, such as vinegar, may be added to the water if the monitor is heavily contaminated with surface dirt or other substances. The cloth should be slightly damp and cleaning should be done in a vertical/horizontal direction. A dry cloth should be used to remove any traces of moisture. Use a very light touch and clean a TFT monitor only when it is turned off.
Some computer peripheral manufacturers sell cleaning products designed specifically for LCD, plasma, or TFT monitors. These cleaning products generally do not contain ammonia or alcohol, although it is worth reading the labels before buying any commercial cleaning product. Some cleaning kits contain a spray bottle of solution and optical-grade cleaning and drying cloths. One or two sprays of cleaning solution should be enough for routine maintenance, although many experts recommend spraying the cloth, not the monitor. It is still important to use a very light touch when cleaning the screen with a commercial cleaner.
Some computer users purchase a glare-reducing screen or Lexan® screen protector to prevent the monitor from getting too dirty. When a laptop or notebook is folded for storage, the screen can come in contact with the keyboard and pick up traces of skin oil, dirt, or other contaminants. Therefore, it may be useful to clean a laptop keyboard before closing the lid. Keeping the monitor out of the reach of children or unwary co-workers can also help keep it clean. Curious people are often tempted to rummage through a flat screen monitor, so you may want to take steps to discourage this behavior.
Some computer monitor cleaning kits contain an aerosol cleaning solution.
