Need to clean my monitor! How do you do it?

[Hulari]

So I want to clean my Monitor. I'm proud to say it has no finger prints at all because I never touched it but it has a few marks because of sneezes. I don't want to use polish and a normal cloth on it for obvious reasons.

I'm using a DellU2311h monitor which has an IPS panel. If there's a way to clean it without forking out anything then that would be a bonus but if not it doesn't matter.

I have a cloth which I think is from a set of glasses. I have no idea where it came from as I've just had it in my 'its and bits' box, would that be okay to use and would it be okay to use warm water or would it be better to order some distilled water?

[Yohassakura]

Assuming you mean spectacle glasses, not drinking glasses, that should be good to use for now, otherwise, a microfiber cloth (if it isn't) is good.

Use that with some elbow grease.

I recommend first rubbing "tough" patches or spots in circles and then work your way to an edge, if it leaves any residue or rub marks.

[n0cturnal]

I use dish-washing soap on moist dishcloth and after that I use my microfiber dusting cloth.

[Hulari]

Assuming you mean spectacle glasses.

I do believe it's a spectacle glasses cloth yeah. Looks and feels like something my gran would have in her little plastic case.

What product would you suggest to use, would normal warm water be safe?

[Speedlance]

Mine get so dirty only a high pressure washer can get rid of the dirt, give it a shot, just a warning though your screen might appear to not work for a few months but after that it's fine.

[Bluesftw]

throw it into dishwasher for 1h long program with sparkle caps

[Nab]

I do believe it's a spectacle glasses cloth yeah. Looks and feels like something my gran would have in her little plastic case.

What product would you suggest to use, would normal warm water be safe?

I wouldn't clean it with regular water, try to find some window cleaning/LCD cleaning liquid.

[Hanto]

I have some electronics cleaning cloths (they're like moist towelette packets but for cleaning electronics) that work great for my monitor. They're non-alcoholic and have worked great for me when I clean my monitor. I'd recommend those, they're pretty cheap as well.

[skrump]

I use whatever the hell is handy which is normally Windex+ paper towel or Rubbing Alcohol.

I don't see any reason to pay $9 for a thing of wipes that smudge your screen just as badly as everything else
"doesn't bother me anyway, don't see the smudges when the monitor is on."

Besides I am a smoker and those wipes don't remove nicotine/tar or the bits of food that mysteriously find their way onto it.

[Deleted]

there is specific cleaning gels being sold (at least here). im sitting right next to mine, it says "safe for LCD, plasma, LED. and comes with a, what i belive, microfiber cloth thingy. so just look for that product to be safe.

[nocturnus]

Towel, water, soap, done. Don't waste money on expensive junk that is especially designed to rip you off.

[-Skye]

throw it into dishwasher for 1h long program with sparkle caps

It didn't work

[Grraarrgghh]

50/50 Isopropyl 70% and water is the best cleaner for LCD screens.

[Rob D]

Spray some windex on a papertowel, Special cleaning stuff for monitors and other items is hogwash. Overpriced and just uses the very same detergents anyways. Or use a misty moist (not wet) microfiber cloth, but only use water with it, detergents and chemicals can clog up the microfiber and they turn into simple cloth.
And I say that as a specialist in cleaning services.

[Endom]

Make sure your monitor is off for at least a 1/2 hour to an hour before cleaning, since the monitor panel generates enough heat that could leave streaks with whatever cleaning product your using. I'd avoid regular window cleaner (too abrasive, may affect panel), if you'd be willing to fork out an extra 5 or so bucks for cleaning gel, i'd say go for that. If not, lukewarm water will do

[Grraarrgghh]

Make sure your monitor is off for at least a 1/2 hour to an hour before cleaning, since the monitor panel generates enough heat that could leave streaks with whatever cleaning product your using. I'd avoid regular window cleaner (too abrasive, may affect panel), if you'd be willing to fork out an extra 5 or so bucks for cleaning gel, i'd say go for that. If not, lukewarm water will do

Good advice about the turning off thing, however, if it's an LED based panel, 5 minutes will do it as they give up far less heat.

[Tradewind]

50/50 Isopropyl 70% and water is the best cleaner for LCD screens.

I think you mean vinegar, and very very dilute. Alcohol in any quantity will ruin the polarized top screen over time. Your best bet is just water, the cleaning wipes or a water based cleaning spray with a soft cloth. Same goes for Ammonia for anyone suggesting Windex (unless it explicitly states it is ammonia and alcohol free).

[allaiva]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMmjSE_d6J0

[Grraarrgghh]

I think you mean vinegar, and very very dilute. Alcohol in any quantity will ruin the polarized top screen over time. Your best bet is just water, the cleaning wipes or a water based cleaning spray with a soft cloth. Same goes for Ammonia for anyone suggesting Windex (unless it explicitly states it is ammonia and alcohol free).

Hmm I've been using an iso 70% 50/50 w/ water mix for years and never had this problem. This is on LG, Samsung and Dell screens (Whitepanel and LED backlit, all matte or semi-gloss finish).

AFAIK all the store-bought LCD cleaner is that exact mixture. Iso is reportedly (and in my anecdotal experience, is) safe for screens.

[Hulari]

Hmm I've been using an iso 70% 50/50 w/ water mix for years and never had this problem. This is on LG, Samsung and Dell screens (Whitepanel and LED backlit, all matte or semi-gloss finish).

AFAIK all the store-bought LCD cleaner is that exact mixture. Iso is reportedly (and in my anecdotal experience, is) safe for screens.

I have some 99% isopropyl that I use for thermal paste but I didn't want to use it because I wasn't sure what it'll do. I'm just scared I'll ruin my monitor ):

I'm using an IPS panel monitor, not an LCD and I'm not 100% sure of what the differences are.