Our computer screens are nests of bacteria, microbes and viruses... It is important to disinfect them regularly, but not just like that! Whether it's an LCD, plasma or LED monitor, your computer screen is fragile. In fact, to clean it without scratching it, you'll have to be careful... Follow the guide.
The four steps for effective cleaning!
1
Turn off your screen
Turn off your monitor or laptop. There is little risk of electrocution, but dust is more visible on a black screen. Allow the screen to cool down a little, on a warm screen the cleaning will leave more traces.
2
Dusting and cleaning with a suitable product
Remove the dust with a soft microfiber cloth. This allows you to gently dust fragile screens without causing damage.
Moisten the microfiber cloth with a special screen cleaner. These cleaners are available as disinfectant spray or gel and are specially designed to remove bacteria without leaving any marks. Caution! Never spray a product directly onto the screen to prevent liquid damage.
You can also use specific cleaning cloths for your LCD or plasma screens (please read the instructions carefully before use). In order not to leave any marks after cleaning, wipe your screen a second time with a microfiber cloth.
Good to know
Do not use washing-up liquids, glass cleaners, products containing ammonia, solvents, detergents or pure bleach! Also avoid using paper towels, as they scour and may scratch your screens. Finally, avoid reconnecting your screen if some parts are still damp.
3
Rub gently in a circular motion
Then gently rub your screen from the centre in a circular motion. In case of stubborn stains, you can leave the liquid on for a while until they soften. However, do not scratch or rub hard, as this will damage your screen.
4
Wipe off and do not forget the finishing touches.
Then wipe your screen one last time with another dry microfiber cloth to remove all traces for good. And let's not forget the finishing touches! To get into those tricky spaces in the corners of the screen, use a cotton bud with a flat tip soaked in your cleaning solution. And that's all there is to it!
If you have a screen stand, you can use disinfectant foams or sprays specially developed for use on plastic surfaces. Use without moderation!
How about tablet and smartphone screens?
Same battle! Use a microfiber cloth with an antibacterial solution. Otherwise, there are cleaning kits or special wipes available.
Read our in-depth article "Mobiles and tablets: how to disinfect your screens?"
