# cleaning lcd screen **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 29, 2005, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-lcd-screen/319169 "2005-08-29T23:53:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-lcd-screen/319169/1 "2005-08-29T23:53:13Z")
I have an HP laptop with a dirty screen. I googled how to clean it, but there is a lot of conflicting information as well as just plain jokes. I trust the people here, so what is the best thing to use to clean the laptop monitor screen? ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2005, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-lcd-screen/319169/2 "2005-08-29T23:56:39Z")
I always use a lightly dampened paper towel. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-lcd-screen/319169/3 "2005-08-30T00:39:27Z")
Ordinary Windex does a fine job, IME. Spray it on the paper towel or clean cloth, NOT directly on the screen. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-lcd-screen/319169/4 "2005-08-30T00:43:36Z")
Either works fine. If it’s really dirtly go with the Windex. ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-lcd-screen/319169/5 "2005-08-30T00:54:14Z")
I’ve never found anything wrong with plain warm water. If there are stubborn stains which water won’t get off, then try windex. ---
**Author:** ![Squee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@Squee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squee)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-lcd-screen/319169/6 "2005-08-30T01:44:18Z")
Try Ajax sprinkled liberally on a Brillo pad and scrub… Just kidding… the other posters have answered. Funny, I just cleaned my too after about a year… Windex works just fine. = ) ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-lcd-screen/319169/7 "2005-08-30T02:21:39Z")
I went through the same confusion a little while ago. Many of the seemingly-reputable websites suggested a 50% solution of alcohol. I used that, and it worked like a charm. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2005, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cleaning-lcd-screen/319169/8 "2005-08-30T12:12:32Z")
_Absolutely, positively, do_ **not** _put Windex on a laptop screen_. Most such screens have a plastic covering that is damaged by the ammonia in the cleaner. The most common symptoms of such cleaning is a yellowing of the plastic and/or a haze developing on the surface. Please, check with the manufacturer of the laptop for their cleaning advice and use _only_ that advice. Here’s a standard warning from HP’s website: “CAUTION: Do not use benzene, thinner, ammonia, or any other volatile substances to clean your monitor or the screen. These chemicals may damage the cabinet finish as well as the screen.” Such screens may also be damaged by some alcohols.