All of us are familiar with this problem: the TV screen was just streak-free and a few days later we are faced with unsightly marks, streaks and the well-known gray haze. The same disaster is reflected on our computer monitors as well as tablet and smartphone displays: endless fingerprints, which is not surprising given ongoing use. A frequent question that then immediately buzzes around in each of our heads: How do I get the sensitive surfaces clean again without damaging them? With the following information and tips you are on the safe side and your TFT monitors and displays are again free of bacteria, free of streaks and shine in new splendor.
What is a TFT monitor?
A TFT (Thin Film Transistor) monitor or display uses a liquid crystal display and not the electron beam principle of conventional screens. They are also referred to as LCD monitors, flat screens or flat screens. Since TFT monitors emit little radiation, they have a major advantage over other models: They're easy on the eyes! People who spend several hours a day in front of the computer or laptop benefit from lower radiation exposure. Weeping and tired eyes are a rarity with these models. In addition, TFT screens are many times smaller.
Besides regular TFT screens, TFT touch screen products are also available. Many manufacturers of smartphones and tablets use this technology as lighting technology for their displays. They shine with a higher resolution and sharper images. However, the surfaces are also particularly sensitive. That's why you should be very careful when cleaning and avoid aggressive cleaning agents and better use special TFT cleaners.
Screen cleaning: 9 helpful tips for a streak-free shine!
Regular cleaning of screens and the like is important for perfect graphic representation and good visibility. In order to ensure a long service life for the devices, gentle removal of fingerprints, dust and dirt is the be-all and end-all. For this reason, conventional products should be used with caution when cleaning screens and displays. If we take a look at the ingredients, this is not surprising. With the following tips you can get your devices clean again without irreversible damage.
1. Disconnect your devices from the power cord
Before you start cleaning technical equipment, it is always better to disconnect it from the power supply for safety reasons. No matter how careful you are: if water is involved, technical devices can always short-circuit, damaging the device and, in the worst case, giving you an electric shock.
2. Always clean your screens or displays in daylight
With natural light and the monitor switched off, you can see dirt more easily. Especially greasy residues like fingerprints jump out at you on a black screen.
3. Never brush in a circular motion
If you don't want to spread all the dirt that sticks to your monitors over the entire screen, then you should definitely avoid circular movements when cleaning. Straight-line cleaning movements from top to bottom are clearly better for cleaning screens.
4. Use little pressure when cleaning screens
The surfaces of monitors and screens have a coating and are therefore very sensitive. For this reason, you should make sure that you use as little pressure as possible when brushing.
5. Sponges & Co. must never be wet
Damp cleaning sponges and cleaning cloths only lightly. If they are too wet, they can destroy the screen's electronics and render the monitor unusable.
6. Be careful when choosing cleaning agents and cleaning utensils
Do without cleaning agents with aggressive ingredients as well as scratchy kitchen sponges, hard cleaning rags and kitchen towels. They will etch and scratch your displays! As a result, it can happen that the so-called anti-glare coating (ARC), also known as the anti-reflection layer of TFT screens, becomes detached through the use of unsuitable cleaning agents. The result: reflective small spots that are very annoying. You won't go wrong with the following cleaning supplies:
- glasses cleaning cloths
- Electrostatic dust wipers
- microfiber towels
- TFT cleaner
- cotton swab
- Soft brushes
7. Always remove dust with a dry, soft cloth
Before you remove dirt from your monitors, TV screens or displays with a TFT cleaner, you should first remove the dust on it. The best way to do this is with a dry and clean microfiber or glasses cleaning cloth.
8. Use a fine brush and cotton swab to clean the corners
You can get hard-to-reach areas clean with a soft brush or cotton swab. Important: Never use your fingernails to scrape stubborn dirt off the screen surface. You would scratch the sensitive surface. This is exactly what needs to be avoided.
9. Never spray cleaning agents directly on the screen
If you spray the cleaner directly onto the surface to be cleaned, this can have fatal consequences. Due to the high concentration of the product, the screen or monitor may be broken or there may be a pixel error. In addition, the liquid can penetrate the inside of the monitor through the edge of the screen and cause irreparable damage. That's why you should always spray the product onto a soft cloth or a suitable sponge first. Then nothing can go wrong. So that you don't have any mishaps, here is an overview of the dos and don'ts:
Suitable cleaning agents
- Minimally moistened microfiber cloth (distilled water)
- TFT cleaner
Good tip: If you don't have a suitable cleaning agent such as the Emma Grün TFT screen cleaner at hand, you can use a mixture of 50% vinegar and 50% distilled water to get to the bottom of the dirt. This mixture is very gentle and therefore the only mixture of home remedies that you can use without serious consequences for your devices. We advise against others.
Unsuitable cleaning agents
- polish
- glass cleaner
- abrasives
- fusel spirit/alcohol
Important: Products that contain ammonia or alcohol are unsuitable for cleaning displays and screens. They are too aggressive and would only scratch the sensitive surfaces. Glass cleaner is also not suitable: it does not cause scratches. However, it leaves unsightly streaks.
