LAPTOP RENTALS: 8/31/08

Do you miss that shiny new laptop look? Here's how to brew your own laptop screen cleaning kit using simple household ingredients.

Steps

Dilute isopropyl alcohol (not rubbing alcohol, as it may contain oil) into a solution of no greater than 50% alcoho
l and 50% with distilled water / deionised water. Purified / bottled water works well too. A 50/50 mix of white vinegar and distilled water is also effective.
Put the solution in a small atomizer bottle, the type that you push from the top to get a fine mist. Don't use this, however, to spray on the screen itself.
Apply the solution to a
cotton cloth, such as an old T-shirt, lint-free microfiber cloth, or other very soft cloth. A large cloth is best, since it will help to reduce the risk of leaving streaks across the screen from finger pressure.
Wipe the cloth against the screen in a circular, or other consistent motion. Rapid circular movements generally eliminate streaks. Apply an even pressure to the cloth but take care not to press your fingers into the cloth or screen.

Tips

Expensive store-bought products contain the same mixture of alcohol and water. Others include Ethylene Glycol. You really do not need all these additions, which may be harmful to your health and to the environment.
If you apply too much of the solution and it is drippy or too damp, wipe it off with a soft cloth and apply less.
Tissues, napkins, and other paper products will leave flakes of paper on your monitor. It's better to not even try using them. They can contain wood fibers and may even scratch polished surfaces.
You don't want mineral spots on your screen, so don't use tap water.
Using a 100% cotton cloth or shirt alone, without the alcohol mix, can sometimes produce the same smudge-free results without going to the trouble of mixing your own solution.
If you're a photographer, you can use your lint-free lens wipes instead of a soft cotton cloth.
If you are looking for a cheap way to get your hands on ready-made cleaning solution, try CD/DVD cleaner, which is often 55% Isopropyl alcohol and is not harmful to most plastic surfaces.
Lint free cotton cloth will work best.
If you are the owner of a lacquered instrument you can use a dry polishing cloth. You have to use a bit more force with dried on spots, but with smudges it works just fine.
If you have lens cleaner for eyeglasses, check the back to see if it contains "Isopropanol" as it should work just as well, and may already come in the proper spray bottle.

Warnings

NEVER drink isopropyl alcohol. You will get sick and have to have your stomach pumped or have activated charcoal administered.
Do not use paper towels, they are made with wood fiber and can scratch the LCD screen.
Avoid using products such as Windex because these contain ammonia and it can degrade the LCD panel.
Shut down your laptop, unplug it from the power adapter, and remove the battery before cleaning it or you risk damaging the pixels in the LCD display.
If in doubt, test a small area of screen first.
Using a lint-free microfiber cloth is best, an "old T-shirt" or other soft cloth can introduce dust and lint which may be detrimental to the computer itself.