Laptop screens are the most prominent part of the laptop, and it’s also the most touched if the touch screen function is enabled. Even if the computer doesn’t have the touch screen feature, there are high chances that some fingerprints might be imprinted on the screen after a few days of usage. The situation worsens when the dust falls onto the screen, and the fingerprints become more visible. It can ruin the readability and hampers overall visibility in the daylight.
You can clean fingerprints off the laptop screen by various methods. The methods vary due to different types of laptop screens: non-LCD or LCD.
The non-LCD screen is often called glass-coated, and you can spray 70% solution of isopropyl alcohol and wipe it with a microfiber cloth.
On the other hand, you must use vinegar and distilled water solution (1:1) to clean the LCD or LED laptop screen. Make sure not to use any harsh agents such as ethyl alcohol or any ammonia-based solutions as it’ll ruin the glossy look of the screen.
Cleaning the fingerprints off the laptop screen might seem simple and easy, but the process is complicated when you’re aware of the damages caused by using inappropriate cleaning solutions. For example, the LCD screens can be damaged using harsh cleaning solutions such as propyl alcohol, and some matte glass screen laptops might need a specialized polishing cloth.
Worry not! This guide will address all factors you need to consider before cleaning and how to wipe the fingerprints off the screen. Let’s get started.
Things To Consider Before Cleaning the Fingertips off the Screen
- Make sure to turn off the laptop before you start cleaning the screen using the liquid solution. Also, it is recommended to use as less moisture as you can.
- Specialized microfiber cloth is available in the market to clean the fingerprints off the screen. Moreover, you can use any soft cloth to wipe the screen to reduce the chances of scratching.
- It is recommended to read the manual provided by the manufacturer to know the right kind of solution (if any) to avoid damage to the laptop screen. Furthermore, ensure your laptop’s screen type (LCD or non-LCD) to prevent destructive cleaning solutions.
- Use only the cleaning agents that are not harmful to your laptop’s screen. Avoid ammonia-based cleaning solutions, dishwasher soaps, and windows cleaners to avoid damage.
- Even if you have a soft cleaning cloth, try to rub softly in a circular manner to clean the screen. Avoid running too hard to clean the fingerprints off the screen as it may damage the screen itself.
- Many of you might think we can directly spray from the bottle if the cleaner is screen-friendly, but that’s not the case— as you’ll damage the screen this way by exposing it to extra moisture.
Methods For Cleaning the Fingerprints Off the Screen
There are different cleaning methods depending on your device’s type of screen. It can have the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or non-LCD having a glass coating. Therefore, the cleaning agents used to rub the fingerprints off the laptop’s screen will be different for both! Want to know how to clean both types of screens effectively? Here’s how to do it in simple steps.
Method #1: Clean the LCD or LED Screen of a Laptop
The Liquid Crystal Display is sensitive to harsh cleaning agents, and it can lose the glossy look upon contact with powerful cleaning agents. Therefore, it is recommended to follow the guidelines carefully to avoid any problems.
- Unplug the charger (if connected) and turn off the laptop.
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Wipe the laptop’s LCD or LED screen with a cloth.
Microfiber cloth is recommended for cleaning purposes as the ordinary cloth can spread the dust particles on the screen, causing more scratches during the cleaning process. At the same time, the microfiber cloth can attract the dust particles and remove them with simple rubbing. - Spray the vinegar solution and distilled water (1:1) onto the microfiber cloth.
- Wipe the screen gently in a circular manner to clean off the fingerprints imprinted on the laptop’s screen.
- Keep the laptop’s lid open to let the screen dry.
Make sure to avoid wiping the edges of the screen to prevent saturation into the edges. Any moisture finding its way from the edges into the laptop’s body can harm the system.
Method #2: Clean a Non-LCD Laptop’s Screen
Non-LCD laptop screens are often called glass-coated screens as well. These screens also have specialized cleaning solutions to remove the dust, oily fingerprints, and other nuisance elements. Here’s how to clean the fingerprints from a non-LCD screen.
- Unplug the charger (if connected) and turn off the laptop.
- Remove the dust particles from the screen by first wiping them using the dry microfiber cloth.
- Spray the 70% isopropyl alcohol on one side of the microfiber cloth.
- Wipe the non-LCD (glass-coated) laptop’s screen using the alcohol-soaked microfiber cloth until the screen is shiny and clear.
- Let the screen dry for a few minutes.
In case of unavailability of isopropyl alcohol, you can use the alcohol wipes or the disinfecting wipes to clean the fingerprints off the laptop’s screen.
Conclusion
Having fingerprints imprinted on the laptop screen can reduce the visibility and cause blurriness, especially if the fingers are wet or oily. Thus, it’s better to clean the fingerprints off the laptop’s screen to clear visibility, especially in daylight. You can either use vinegar + distilled water solution (1:1) or 70% isopropyl alcohol to remove the fingerprints of the LCD and non-LCD panel.
