We all know this problem: the TV screen was streak-free just a moment ago and a few days later we are faced with unsightly marks, streaks and the familiar grey haze. The same disaster is reflected on our computer monitors as well as tablet and smartphone displays: endless fingerprints, which is not surprising when you consider that they are in constant use. A common question that immediately pops into everyone's head is: 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 once again free of bacteria, streak-free and shine with new splendour.
What is a TFT monitor?
A TFT monitor (thin film transistor) or display works with the help of a liquid crystal display and not on the electron beam principle like conventional screens. They are also known as LCD monitors, flat screens or flat panel displays. Since TFT monitors emit little radiation, they have a big advantage over other models: they are easier on the eyes! People who spend several hours a day in front of a computer or laptop benefit from lower radiation exposure. Watery and tired eyes are a rarity with these models. TFT screens are also much smaller.
In addition to normal TFT screens, TFT touchscreen products are also available. Many smartphone and tablet manufacturers use this technology as lighting technology for their displays. They shine with higher resolution and sharper images. However, the surfaces are also particularly sensitive. Therefore, you should be very careful when cleaning them and avoid aggressive cleaning agents; instead, you should use special TFT cleaners.
Screen cleaning: 9 helpful tips for streak-free shine!
Regular cleaning of screens and other devices is important for perfect graphic display and good visibility. To ensure that devices last a long time, careful removal of fingerprints, dust and dirt is essential. This is why 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 causing irreversible damage.
1. Disconnect your devices from the power cable
Before you start cleaning technical equipment, it is always better to unplug it from the power supply for safety reasons. No matter how careful you are, if water is involved, technical equipment can always suffer a short circuit, which can damage the device and, in the worst case, give you an electric shock.
2. Always clean your screens or displays in daylight
You can see dirt more easily in natural light and with the monitor turned off. Greasy residues such as fingerprints are particularly noticeable on a black screen.
3. Never brush in circular motions
If you don't want to spread all the dirt that sticks to your monitors across the entire screen, then you should definitely avoid using circular movements when cleaning. Straight cleaning movements from top to bottom are definitely better for cleaning screens.
4. Use little pressure when cleaning screens
The surfaces of monitors and screens are coated and therefore very sensitive. For this reason, you should make sure that you use as little pressure as possible when cleaning.
5. Sponges & Co. must never be wet
Only use damp cleaning sponges and cleaning cloths slightly. If they are too wet, they can destroy the screen's electronics and render the monitor unusable.
6. Be careful when choosing cleaning products & cleaning utensils
Avoid cleaning products with aggressive ingredients as well as scratchy kitchen sponges, hard cleaning cloths and kitchen towels. They will corrode and scratch your displays! This can cause the so-called anti-glare coating (ARC), also known as the anti-reflection layer on TFT screens, to come off if you use unsuitable cleaning products. The result: small, reflective spots that are very annoying. You can't go wrong with the following cleaning utensils:
- Glasses cleaning cloths
- Electrostatic dust mops
- Microfiber cloths
- TFT cleaner
- cotton swab
- Soft brushes
7. Always remove dust with a dry soft cloth
Before you use a TFT cleaner to remove dirt from your monitors, TV screens or displays, you should first remove any dust that is on them. The best way to do this is with a dry and clean microfiber or glasses cleaning cloth.
8. Use fine brushes and cotton swabs to clean the corners
You can clean hard-to-reach areas with a soft brush or cotton swab. Important: Never use your fingernails to scrape stubborn dirt from the screen surface. This would scratch the sensitive surface. This is exactly what you want to avoid.
9. Never spray cleaning agents directly onto 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 can break or a pixel error can occur. In addition, the liquid can penetrate through the edge of the screen into the interior of the monitor 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. To avoid any mishaps, here are the dos and don'ts at a glance:
Suitable cleaning products
- Minimally moistened microfiber cloth (distilled water)
- TFT cleaner
Good tip: If you don’t have a suitable cleaning agent like theEmma Green TFT Screen CleanerIf you have a solution on hand, you can tackle the dirt using a mixture of 50% vinegar and 50% distilled water. This mixture is very gentle and is therefore the only mixture of household remedies that you can use without serious consequences for your devices. We advise against using any others.
Unsuitable cleaning agents
- polish
- Glass cleaner
- Abrasive cleaners
- Fusel spirits/ 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 unsuitable: although it does not cause scratches, it does leave unsightly streaks.
Natalie, 
Sarah und über 105.000+ Andere lieben Emma Grün.
