How To Clean Your Monitor Screen

Whether you're removing dust or are trying to rid the remanence of sticky finger-prints, you need the right tools and method to successfully clean your screen without damaging it. For this reason, we've put a quick guide together on cleaning monitors safely.

Firstly, don't clean your monitor while it's switched on. Why? Well, streaks and marks are easier to see on a dark background and as you'll more than likely be introducing moisture to the screen, you don't want the liquid to make contact with anything that could cause shock or other sorts of damage. Also, you don't want to clean a warm screen so give the device time to cool down. By doing so it'll be easier to clean and the product you're using to clean your screen with won't dry too quickly which will reduce the chance of streaks and lines remaining on your screen. 

When it comes to cleaning cloths, don't reach for the paper towels or for a rag you use to dust the rest of the house with as they can be quite abrasive and could potentially damage your screen. Instead, use a microfiber cloth (the type you use for cleaning glasses with) to gently remove dust etc. We say gently as too much pressure will damage the screen so keep movements light and make wide strokes rather than repeating small circular movements. 

You will probably find that a dry microfiber cloth will remove dust but may not work so well on oil and other substances so the cloth can be dampened with distilled water or, as many suggest, with an equal ratio of water and white vinegar (don't try and fix the problem by adding more pressure as this could damage your screen). You can also purchase screen cleaning solution from companies such as EIZO (all EIZO ColorEdge CG screens come with a cleaning kit included) that will keep screens grease and smear free. Some of the cleaning kits come with spray bottles but don't spray the solution directly onto the screen as this can cause drops to run down into the device which will damage the screen. Instead, lightly spray the cloth you're using (don't drench it) and apply it to the screen. 

Do not use cleaning products that contain ammonia or alcohol as these will cause damage to the screen. In the manual for the EIZO ColorEdge CG276 it says: "Chemicals such as alcohol and antiseptic solution may cause gloss variation, tarnishing, and fading of the cabinet or panel, and also quality deterioration of the image. Never use any thinner, benzene, wax, and abrasive cleaner, which may damage the cabinet or panel."

Once you've wiped the screen clean, leave it to air-dry before switching the device back on. 

For more information on the EIZO ColorEdge CG276 model, and all the other monitors available in this range, take a look at the EIZO UK website.