1. Dilute isopropyl alcohol into a mix with no more than 50% alcohol and the rest distilled water.
2. Apply the mix to a cotton cloth, like an old T-shirt, lint-free microfiber cloth, or other very soft cloth. A large cloth is best, since it will help reduce the risk that finger pressure leaves streaks in the screen.
3. Wipe the cloth against the screen, in a counter-clockwise or other consistent motion. Take care not to press your fingers into the cloth (and screen) but apply an even pressure to the cloth.
Tips
* Expensive store-bought products such as Kensington Screen Guardian contain the same mixture of alcohol and water. 3M's Antistatic Cleaning Solution contains this same mix plus Ethylene Glycol.
* If you apply too much (drippy/overly damp), wipe it off with a soft cloth and apply less.
* Tissues will likely leave flakes of paper on your monitor. It's better to not even try it.
* You don't want mineral spots on your screen, so don't use tap water.
* Using a 100% cotton cloth or shirt alone, without the alcohol mix, can sometimes produce the same smudge-free results without going to the trouble of mixing your own solution.
* If you're a photographer, you can use your lint-free lens wipes instead of a soft cotton cloth.
* Put the solution in a small spritzer bottle, the type that you push from the top to get a fine mist, it works really well at getting just the right amount on your screen with a spray on each quadrant.
* If you are looking for a cheap way to get your hands on ready made cleaning solution, try CD/DVD cleaner which is often 55% Isopropyl alcohol and is not harmful to most plastic surfaces.
Warnings
* Do not drink Isopropyl Alcohol. It is NOT grain alcohol. It is toxic.
* Do not use cheap paper towels. You will scratch the LCD screen.
* Avoid using products like Windex which contain ammonia that can degrade the LCD panel.
* Shut down your laptop, unplug it from the power adapter, and remove the battery before cleaning it.
Click to expand...
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
