A long-time customer and friend asked PCS for advice on the best way to clean his computer displays:

..what should I use to clean monitor screens? Is Windex OK? How about on my laptop, which is covered with fingerprints?

Our first response is to NEVER USE Windex to clean LCD displays.  Windex contains a substantial amount of ammonia, which over time will damage the protective coating that lies on top of most LCD displays.

Another reason not to use Windex for display cleaning is that a lot of people like to go hog-wild with it, allowing it to collect on the display and “drip down” before wiping.  If the Windex happens to reach the bottom of the display, enough could collect and damage the LCD’s electronics, causing distortion and pixel-loss.

Another “do NOT do” is to not use paper towels to clean a display.  Paper towels contain a lot of fibers and particles that could scratch a display, especially those displays with anti-glare surfaces.

So what is the best way to clean a display?

1. Grab a microfiber cloth and gently wipe your screen to free it of dust, fingerprints and any other smudges.
2. If cleaning solution is required, sometimes wetting one side of the microfiber cloth with water and gently wiping the screen will provide enough moisture and allow you to clean the screen with the dry side of the cloth. If your display is really “gunky”, you can make your own cleaning solution using a half-and-half mix of 70 percent isopropyl alcohol and distilled water.

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