Even though LCD screens have many advantages over their CRT counterparts, they take a different approach in cleaning. While CRT screens have a glass screen, allowing you to simply wipe them like you would clean a window, CRT screens have a protective cover, which can be easily damaged or scratched.

This guide will show you how to clean your LCD monitor without damaging it, and without stripes. All you need is a soft cloth (preferably microfiber), some distilled water, and optionally white vinegar. This guide applies to all LCD monitors, including modern Flat Screen television sets.

Before you start, choose which cleaning product you are going to use. There are several alternatives, some work better than others, and some cost more than others

• Simplest solution is using plain water. This doesn’t clean best, as it will not resolve oily substances, and may contain contaminations. It is the cheapest substance available.
• Distilled water, also known as purified water is plain water, with most impurities removed by boiling and condensing the damp. Distilled water is available in many stores, including hardware stores.
• Distilled water, mixed 50-50% with white vinegar.
• Specialized LCD screen cleaning products. Most expensive solution, often not better than the previous solutions.
• Avoid anything containing ammonia, ethyl alcohol, acetone, toluene, ethyl acid, or methyl chloride. These fluids can seriously damage your LCD screen.

Now that you have your cleaning fluid, you need to select your cleaning cloth. This cloth has to be soft and clean.

• Microfiber cloth is highly advised. Microfiber is very soft, can be damped easily, and doesn’t leave scratches, provided the cloth is clean.
• Glass cleaner wipes can also be used, but when new, these are sometimes contain anti-fog fluids. Ensure they don’t contain any of the fluids mentioned in Step 1.
• Avoid paper towels, tea towels, or toilet paper. These are not soft enough, and very likely to scratch your screen.

You are now ready to actually start cleaning your LCD screen. First, switch off your monitor or television. This ensures you don’t damage your monitor by short-circuiting it, and makes it easier to spot dirt and stripes.

• Use the dry cloth you selected in Step 2, to gently wipe the screen. Don’t put too much pressure on the screen, as you might damage the pixels
• If the screen didn’t get entirely clean by wiping it, dampen the cloth with the solution you selected in Step 1. Do not spray fluid directly on your screen, as you might damage the inner workings of the screen.
• With the dampened cloth wipe the screen again.
• Ensure the screen is dry and without stripes before you switch the screen back on.