Why & How to Clean Every Screen in Your Home

If you’ve been on this planet long enough, you’ll no doubt agree that your house is getting more high-tech. In fact, you probably wake up to a screen. Maybe you’ve got a 52-inch T.V., a Macbook or a PC, a smartphone, a tablet - maybe more (Nintendo Switch etc). The list goes on.

We know we have to update them from time to time, but it’s easy to forget cleaning them. And by cleaning them, we don’t mean dragging and dropping files into the trash bin. What we’re talking about is a thorough cleaning of the screens. Because let’s face it - too much dust on a screen doesn’t look good. There are also some consequences for not cleaning them regularly as well.

Why Bother Cleaning All Those Screens

You might think the main reason to clean your screen is to silence the people saying how dirty it looks. But a dusty screen is more than just a reflection of one’s “messiness”.

Protects Your Eyes

Dust on a screen can affect your eyes in two ways:

1. Particles that float off your screen can land in your eyes and cause irritation
2. Dust that coats your screen reduces its sharpness, which can lead you to squint and strain your eyes

This is especially true for those of you who spend hours in front of a computer, whether at the office or at home. Devoting just a few minutes a week to cleaning these screens will protect your eyes from unnecessary irritation.

Reduce Allergy Symptoms

It goes without saying that if you have allergies, you should try to eliminate dust around the house. Dust has a habit of clinging to screens since they produce electric charges that can pull some particles in. A duster won’t replace Benadryl, but clearing dust that often sticks to screens may help put a stop to a runny nose or sneezing fits.

Keeps Hardware Functional

If you’ve ever had a computer overheat, you probably know now that dust can clog a fan and block air flow. Overheating is bad news for a computer because high temperatures can permanently damage its hardware. So if you want to avoid buying a new computer too soon, make sure it to keep often.

Germs!

Microbes that you really don’t want sharing space with you at home thrive on some gadgets. Phones and tablets are notorious for this. After all, we hold and touch them more than any other device these days. Cleaning the screens (and the whole device really) can keep your gadgets sterilized so that you bring home germs that could make you ill.

How to Clean Every Screen in Your Home

An important factor to consider is the type of screen you’re cleaning. Not all screens are built the same. That means you probably shouldn’t clean your T.V. screen the way you would clean a phone screen since different surfaces require different methods. Fortunately, we’ve got the scoop here for you below.

How to Clean a T.V. Screen

Unlike the mammoth-sized T.Vs of yesterday, today’s lightweight, flat-screen units need a gentle touch. They’re far more sensitive than the televisions your parents grew up watching. With that said, here’s a good procedure to follow:

Process of Cleaning Your T.V. Screen

1. Turn off the device as this makes it easier to see dirty and dusty areas
2. Use a soft, dry cloth (ideally a microfiber cloth) and wipe the screen very gently
3. To dampen the cloth, spray it with Screen Shine to remove oil stains or smudges
4. Clean the plastic edge with a regular cleaner and harder cloth (but do not get on screen)

What to Avoid When Cleaning Your T.V. Screen

• Abrasive cleaning tools such as paper towels, tissue and toilet paper, rags or your shirt
• Stay far away from ammonia-based products, alcohol-based products, acetone-based products and paint solvents
• Spraying liquid on the screen
• Pressing hard on the screen while wiping

How to Clean a Laptop/Computer Screen

You should really think about how to clean your laptop screen because you might be one of many people who spend several hours in front of it. As we’ve discussed earlier, dust on computer screens tend to irritate the eyes. So give this process a try:

Process of Cleaning Your Laptop/Computer Screen  

1. Turn your laptop off since it’s easier to see dust and dirt on a dark screen
2. Disconnect power adapter and battery
3. Use a soft, dry cloth (ideally microfiber) and wipe the screen very gently
4. To dampen cloth, spray it with Screen Shine to remove oil stains or smudges (good idea for when kids fingerprints get on screen)
5. Clean plastic edge with regular cleaner and harder cloth (but do not get on screen or keyboard!)
6. While you’re at it, use compressed air to remove dirt from the keyboard
7. Also, gently wipe inside the ports with a cotton swab to remove dirt

What to Avoid When Cleaning Your Laptop/Computer Screen

• Towels, cloths and rags with harsh surfaces (stick to microfiber cloths if possible)
• Harsh chemical sprays infused with alcohol, ammonia or acetone
• Pressing hard on the screen when wiping
• Spraying liquids onto screen or near keyboard

How to Clean a Phone/Tablet Screen

Keeping your phone screen tidy is just as important as cleaning your T.V. and computer (if not more so). But cleaning mobile devices can involve more than their big screen counterparts. Just think about the number of surfaces you touch, the hands you shake and the fact you may text in the bathroom (or maybe you don’t want to think about that).  

We covered the phone cleaning process in our last post, but we’ve added a few steps below.

How to Clean a Phone/Tablet Process

1. Turn your screen off to see dust and debris (doing so also prevents damage to your screen’s pixels)
2. Spray Screen Shine on a cloth, preferably a microfiber one (ie. our Microfiber cloth)
3. Take microfiber cloth and gently wipe your screen’s surface to remove dust particles
4. Use the dry side of your microfiber cloth to clean and shine your screen.
5. For the really meticulous, use a cotton swab to clean out dirt from ports and headphone jacks

What to Avoid When Cleaning a Phone/Tablet Screen

• Alcohol-based/ammonia-based chemical cleaning products
• Tools with abrasive surfaces such as toilet paper, paper towel, hard scrubbing pads
• Pressing hard on screens while wiping

How to Clean a Wearable Device

Runners, lifters, athletes behold - your Fitbit, Apple Smart Watch or whatever gadget you track your reps and steps with need not look dirty! They generally don’t require as much care as other devices, but you can definitely keep them shiny and looking brand new.

How to Clean a Wearable Device Process

1. Turn your device off to see fingerprints and oil smudges easier
2. Spray Screen Shine on microfiber cloth and gently wipe device’s screen
3. Clean the band according to the material it’s made with
1. For leather: Wipe with a soft cloth and a dab of leather cleaner/conditioner
2. For silicone: Use a mild dishwashing soap diluted in water and rub surface with fingers
4. Clean edges and ports with a cotton swab and alcohol cleaner (but keep cleaner away from screen)

What to Avoid When Cleaning a Wearable Device

• Alcohol-based/ammonia-based chemical cleaning products (for screen cleaning)
• Tools with abrasive surfaces such as toilet paper, paper towels, hard scrubbing pads (for screen cleaning)
• Pressing hard on screens while wiping

Just a Few Minutes of Screen Cleaning Makes a Difference

Cleaning your screens, whether it’s the T.V., laptop or mobile devices isn’t a task to ignore. Sure, it’s not going to change your life drastically, but keeping these gadgets clean will help them last longer. And in the case of dust and debris, you could reduce some bothersome allergy symptoms or eye irritation. So make it a habit to wipe and disinfect your favourite toys - no harm can come out of doing so regularly.