How To Clean LCD Screens - By: Titus Hoskins

LCD screens are commonly found in laptops, PDAs, iPods and high definition TVs. If you look around your home, you will probably see 5 or more of these screens in your presence. They are everywhere!

However, anyone who owns any type of LCD screen knows there is one minor problem with them. These screens or displays gather dust and dirt like there is no tomorrow. Just within a few weeks of purchasing your once pristine LCD screen, it starts picking up lint, dust particles, and smudges - ruining your full enjoyment of this technical marvel.

Once you see your favorite LCD screen picking up a bit of dust, you immediately grab a tissue or paper towel and some water to clean it. DON’T! Or you will made a big mistake and you could possibly even do permanent damage to your delicate LCD screen.

LCD screens are not like ordinary monitor screens. LCD screens are NOT GLASS, rather they are made up of a soft film that can easily be damaged by harsh paper towels and the chloride and other chemicals in ordinary tap water. These screens are very delicate, they must be handled with care and very, very gently.

You must proceed with caution if you want to keep all your LCD screens in perfect mint condition. This is one case where a little knowledge could save you a whole lot of trouble and disappointment.

The history of Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) goes back over a hundred years. It was first mentioned by Otto Lehmann in 1904. The first operational LCD was made by RCA in 1968. Each display is made up of countless pixels, with light being filtered through them in a controlled manner. Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) is a form of LCDs which uses an active matrix to improve image quality. LCD technology has found its way into countless displays in laptops, PDAs, and high definition TVs. (Source - wikipedia.org)

* LCD Screen Cleaning Tips *

Most experts suggest you can use a cleaning solution of 50% distilled water and 50% isopropyl (rubbing alcohol). You should use a soft cloth such as an old cotton T-shirt or handkerchief. Don’t use paper towels, tissues, or ordinary dish cloths, as harsh cloths may damage the soft surface of an LCD screen.

Shut down any devices before cleaning them. Inspect the screen very carefully to take note of any special areas that have to be cleaned. Don’t spray any cleaning solution directly onto the screen but rather dampen your large cleaning cloth with your solution and apply very gentle pressure, cleaning the display in a circular motion.

Don’t apply any hard pressure or touch the screen with your fingertips. It has been suggested you think of the screen as a smooth baby’s bottom and give it the same kind of care as you would give an enfant’s delicate skin.

Make sure you let the screen thoroughly dry before turning your device back on. You should now have a perfectly cleaned screen ready for your full viewing enjoyment once again.

Word of Caution - you should always check your owner’s manual or the manufacturer for the recommended cleaning method for your particular LCD TV or Laptop Screen.

You should also note, commercial LCD cleaning kits are very inexpensive. These cleaning kits will have everything your need to clean your LCD screen. Most will have a Microfiber Cloth or Chamois that are excellent for picking up dust and removing fingerprints and smudges. A can of Compressed Air is also handy for removing dust from your screen and from those hard to reach places.

There are also stronger cleaning solutions to remove ink markings just in case your small child has confused your expensive laptop for an itch-a-sketch toy and created a modern masterpiece. Ouch!

Some commercial cleaning formulas may contain the same mixture as the home-made one mentioned above, but newer cleaning solutions are alcohol and ammonia-free. Some have an anti-static coating that will help reduce the build up of dust particles. It would probably be wise to pick up one of these cleaning kits if you own a lot of LCD screens. You can also purchase single wipes and cleaners for traveling.

What ever route you take, or cleaning formula you use, just remember to treat all your LCD screens with a whole lot of respect. Be gentle, be careful and be diligent. Make sure you clean all your LCD screens when the need arises. That way you will go on enjoying all your perfect pristine LCD screens for years to come.

Copyright (c) 2006 Titus Hoskins

About the Author

For other handy LCD cleaning tips and all the materials you need to clean LCD screens go here: http://www.cleanlcds.com To learn how to clean a laptop LCD screen try here: http://www.bizwaremagic.com/clean_lcd_screen.htm 2006 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays attached.

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