How to Clean TFT Monitors

Don't you really enjoy the sensation of opening up a completely new
PC monitor and knowing how beautifully clean the screen surface will
most likely be? But things suddenly deteriorate. How can you get the
monitor back to how it was?Two simple things is all it needs:1)
Rubbing alcohol
2) Sterilized waterSimply mix the sanitized water and
IPA in equal parts (1:1) inside a bottle of spray. Any used household
cleaning bottles will likely be fine for this, but ensure that you
rinse well with sterilized water before using. Be aware that regular
water contains dissolved minerals and salts that could scratch or
leave residues on the monitor so do not rinse with plain tap water.
IPA is unlike ethyl-based alcohols such as drinkable spirits. Don't
try and substitute IPA for some leftover spirits, as non-IPA alcohols
damage the screen surface. You should purchase IPA in 70%
concentration in some electronic specialist stores, or on eBay. If
you're able to only find 99% IPA it's possible to dilute it to the
preferred concentration; whichever IPA you obtain, bear in mind it
evaporates readily; don't purchase too much at the same time, always
make sure the bottle is tightly sealed and kept in a cool
place.Cleaning the screen -As well as your distilled water and IPA
solution, you require a high-quality microfibre cloth. TFT monitor
screens are considerably less resilient than glass screens, so you
can't just use any old cleaning rag. In addition to being very soft,
microfibre clothes also hold in dust and dirt and prevent smeary
residues that will hamper any cleaning effort on your part.Turn your
screen off and make sure it is cool - CCFL backlit PC monitors in
particular may become quite warm after prolonged use, and this may
cause the solution to evaporate too quickly for an effective clean.
Apply the solution straight to the microfibre cloth - sparingly is
best, since it is not as likely to leave a residue and you can always
apply more a little later. Gently rub down and up (not in circles and
not horizontally), ideally covering no more than a few inches of the
screen surface at any time. You may even find it helps to apply
slightly more pressure on the downward stroke to avoid smearing - but
remember that applying excessive pressure on to the screen can harm
the pixels and the screen itself is delicate.A complete clean should
take no less than 5 minutes for a relatively small screen and your arm
may get tired if you reach over a desk. You shouldn't be afraid to
unplug your monitor, detach the stand (if possible) and put it against
a soft surface for a much more thorough and comfortable clean. If you
have an existing pre-made TFT cleaning solution that is suitable for
your monitor, please feel free to use this first together with the
method shown. Whichever solution you select, you may find that a
slight residue remains - the fantastic thing about using rubbing
alcohol and distilled water is the fact that solution slices through
grease and quickly evaporates to ensure that residues are unlikely. If
you do notice some residue, apply a bit more of the solution to the
cloth and repeat the cleaning method. It could be that you applied
excessive solution on the first clean, in this case you should allow
the cloth to dry and rub the screen without solution.You should now be
able to enjoy the cleanliness and image clarity that you got when you
first started using your PC monitor. If you still aren't satisfied
with your monitor then maybe it's time for a new screen.