New laptop - how to clean the screen? Is this LCD?

Hi

Just got this for my mom:


My understanding is that rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth is good - unless it's an LCD.

How do I determine if this is an LCD?

Thanks in advance.

I mix 50/50 distilled water (using tap water will leave mineral spots) and 70 to 90% Isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle. I clean everything on the computer, including the screen with it. (keyboard, mouse, monitor, chassis, etc).

I can't say enough about a product called Screen Mom that I found on Amazon. You don't spray directly on screen but on a microfiber cloth.
It takes very little so a bottle goes a long way. My bottle has lasted 2 years. I use it on everything. TV, phone, laptop, tablet, eye glasses, mirrors. Worth every penny.

It uses an IPS (in plane switching) display, which is a type of LCD. (It's a good type.)

As the laptop doesn't have a touch screen, it may not want cleaning very often. A purpose-made screen cleaner can be expensive (over $20 for a Monster brand bottle), but it may last for years.

Just be cautious with any product, especially ones containing alchohol, as some screens have an anti glare coating or other screen protector coating that may be eaten into by such products. Test in a corner of the screen first if unsure, but you can always check the manufacturers website, user forums etc. to be certain.
Distilled water, liquid dish soap (non anti bacterial, non perfumed) to cut grease and a couple of microfibre cloths (one to clean, one to dry) should be enough.

Thanks.

Is there a way to determine if this is an LCD?

riffwraith said:

Is there a way to determine if this is an LCD?

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Virtually all laptop screens are an LCD of one sort or another. The real distinction should be between non-touchscreen (which have a plastic surface and could be damaged by solvents like alcohol) and a touchscreen, which is a glass surface.

I would not bring water anywhere near my computer components...nor soap as it leaves a residue. Nor would I ever spray any product directly onto a screen.

glasskuter said:

I would not bring water anywhere near my computer components...nor soap as it leaves a residue. Nor would I ever spray any product directly onto a screen.

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when I mix the distilled water and isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle, I don't spray it directly on the screens, but rather I spray on the microfiber cloth and then wipe down the screens. The water cuts back the alcohol concentration, so I've yet to find a screen or surface that it's done any damage to. I've been making it for nearly 20 years and have a bottle at the office that everybody uses regularly and no complaints.

It's never enough moisture to make the surface wet. It's not going to cause any damage.

Bree said:

Virtually all laptop screens are an LCD of one sort or another. The real distinction should be between non-touchscreen (which have a plastic surface and could be damaged by solvents like alcohol) and a touchscreen, which is a glass surface.

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K, this is not a touch screen, and it isn't glass; it's plastic.

We have one forum member saying it's ok to use alcohol (tho diluted), but this is really ok?

@pparks1 Yeah I used that method back in the days of CRT. Dirt is not hard to remove. It's the streaks from oily residue fingers leave behind. Now, I use products made specifically for the purpose of cleaning newer displays and leaving them as streak free as possible.

glasskuter said:

@pparks1 Yeah I used that method back in the days of CRT. Dirt is not hard to remove. It's the streaks from oily residue fingers leave behind. Now, I use products made specifically for the purpose of cleaning newer displays and leaving them as streak free as possible.

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Yeah, that's why i just make my own. I use it to clean any and all electronics, it's dirt cheap to make. I never have problems with streaks and such my mixture and the clothes that I use.

Good stuff.

Screen Mom - ha!

riffwraith said:

Hi

Just got this for my mom:

HP 17-cn0023dx Home & Business Laptop (Intel i5-1135G7 4-Core, 17.3" 60Hz Full HD (1920x1080), Intel Iris Xe, 16GB RAM, 256GB PCIe SSD, Wifi, USB 3.2, HDMI, Webcam, Bluetooth, Win 11 Pro) - Newegg.com

Buy HP 17-cn0023dx Home & Business Laptop (Intel i5-1135G7 4-Core, 17.3" 60Hz Full HD (1920x1080), Intel Iris Xe, 16GB RAM, 256GB PCIe SSD, Wifi, USB 3.2, HDMI, Webcam, Bluetooth, Win 11 Pro) with fast shipping and top-rated customer service. Once you know, you Newegg!

www.newegg.com

My understanding is that rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth is good - unless it's an LCD.

How do I determine if this is an LCD?

Thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

Just buy a screen cleaner kit. When you use it, spray the cloth and not the screen.

glasskuter said:

You don't spray directly on screen but on a microfiber cloth.

Click to expand...

Never, ever spray the device. Always spray the cleaning cloth and don't over spray.

bobkn said:

It uses an IPS (in plane switching) display, which is a type of LCD. (It's a good type.)

As the laptop doesn't have a touch screen, it may not want cleaning very often. A purpose-made screen cleaner can be expensive (over $20 for a Monster brand bottle), but it may last for years.

Click to expand...

IMHO, anything in the Monster brand is way overpriced.

DigitalGoat said:

Test in a corner of the screen first if unsure

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Better yet, Don't use it. Screen cleaners aren't that expensive.

pparks1 said:

when I mix the distilled water and isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle, I don't spray it directly on the screens

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I''m sorry but that's two things that I would never recommend.

riffwraith said:

K, this is not a touch screen, and it isn't glass; it's plastic.

We have one forum member saying it's ok to use alcohol (tho diluted), but this is really ok?

Click to expand...

No!