Make sure that you let the screen cool down before you start if you’re cleaning a plasma TV. While the risk is small, there is the possibility of an electric shock if you clean the monitor while it’s on.
Don’t use towels, paper products, or other scratchy cloths to wipe the screen. These will leave lint and can cause scratches. If don’t have a microfiber cloth, you could use a (dry) dusting cloth, like a Swiffer cloth, or monitor dusting wipes—just check your user manual to make sure they are approved for your product. Another option is a brand-new sponge—not the abrasive kind. You’ll need to dampen the sponge slightly with distilled water or a specialty cleaner—skip down to the next step to learn more. Don’t press hard on the screen or try to scrub it. You might damage it and cause discoloration to occur next time you turn it on.
Do not use ammonia, alcohol, acetone-based, or other corrosive products. These can easily damage your screen, especially if it has a matte, anti-glare finish. Also avoid using anything soapy, as that can leave a residue. You may also consider buying a specifically-formulated screen-cleaning fluid. However, read reviews before making a purchase, and check your monitor or laptop’s user manual to find out which are safe for your product. HP recommends using Bryson Screen Cleaner and Great Shield for cleaning their laptop monitors. [1] X Research source
If the screen has a touch stain that doesn’t lift easily with distilled water, such as a food stain, try a mixture of 50% distilled water and 50% white vinegar. [2] X Research source Again, do not douse the cloth—just dampen it. If your screen is very dirty, rinse or change the cloth in-between passes. Clean gently and gradually. Avoid the temptation to spray the solution directly onto the screen if the spot is stubborn. Just continue rubbing it gently, and be patient.
If you use a cleaning solution that isn’t specifically approved for an LCD screen, be extremely careful not to get any on the screen. You could do irreparable damage. Don’t spray the cleaner directly onto the casing, since you might accidentally get some on the screen, and some of it might drip into crevices and get inside, ruining your monitor. Clean the monitor’s base, the buttons, and the back of the monitor. Wrap a corner of the cloth around your finger or a toothpick to clean the hard-to-reach crevices. If your monitor has any cords attaching it to the CPU or power, unplug these and give them a good cleaning too. Always apply any liquid to the cloth, not directly to the screen, to prevent dripping. Even one drip reaches the bezel, it will ruin your display.
These methods are to be used at your own risk, and may damage your screen. Consider the risk of these options as trade-offs, rather than having an annoying scratch. Once you start trying to repair the scratch yourself, further damage may no longer be covered by your warranty. For glare-reducing screens, attempting to remove a scratch could create a permanent, bothersome shiny spot.
This won’t repair the scratch permanently, but it will make it look more discreet until you are able to repair it.
Apply a small amount of toothpaste to your finger tip and gently dab it on the scratch. Then, using your microfiber cloth, gently rub the toothpaste in a circular motion for a few seconds. Really, don’t do it for too long, and don’t press too hard, as you could ruin the screen. [5] X Research source Wipe the screen clean with a soft, dry cloth when you’re finished. Let it dry, then wipe off with a clean, barely-damp (preferably with distilled water) microfiber cloth.
