Everyone has tips for cleaning computer monitors, but what works and what doesn’t?

Method: Polish Cloths and Dusters

Verdict on LCD monitors: Works.

Verdict on CRT monitors: Works.

Neither a polish cloth or a duster will spread dust, but rather pick it up. In addition, neither produce static electricity and neither are abrasive.

Dusters are available everywhere. Smaller ones are better.

It should be noted that you should use plain dusters without any added stuff, like scents and so on.

The best polish cloth to use are ones made for guitars. They are yellow in color and can be found any at musical instrument store, such as Guitar Center.

Method: Dry paper towels

Verdict on LCD monitors: Works somewhat.

Verdict on CRT monitors: Works somewhat.

A dry paper towel, while non-abrasive, does not clean. Rather, it just pushes dirt and dust to the corners of the monitor.

On LCD monitors you can use them while the monitor is on.

On CRT monitors you have to shut it off first, then wait until the static discharge (if any) goes away, else you run the risk of shock.

On both type of monitors, there’s a chance you’ll leave behind little white paper towels “bits”, which of course will be pushed to the corners of the monitor just like the dirt does.

Method: Dry face cloth

Verdict on LCD monitors: Works somewhat.

Verdict on CRT monitors: Works somewhat.

The face cloth only works somewhat for the same reasons as paper towels - they don’t pick up dirt and dust, but push it.

The advantage to the cloth over paper towels is that little white bits aren’t left behind - but it still doesn’t do the job right.

Method: Damp paper towel (with water)

Verdict on LCD monitors: Works somewhat.

Verdict on CRT monitors: Works somewhat.

This method will pick up dirt, but will most likely leave smudge marks behind when you use dry paper towels to dry with. And you’ll still have to deal with those little white bits afterwards when you dry.

For best results, have the monitor shut off. On LCD’s you can start cleaning immediately after it’s powered off. On CRT’s, you should wait until the static discharge (if any) is gone, else you run the risk of shock. Ground yourself first.

Method: Damp paper towel (with plain glass cleaner)

Verdict on LCD monitors: Works

Verdict on CRT monitors: Works

A plain glass cleaner does not have any ammonia or other “harsh” chemicals in it. An example of plain glass cleaner is standard Windex.

This method, like water, will pick up dirt. In addition it will clear away any smudges. But you still have paper bits left behind when you dry with paper towels.

However, if you only use a minimal amount of glass cleaner, it will dry itself quickly.

For best results, have the monitor shut off. On LCD’s you can start cleaning immediately after it’s powered off. On CRT’s, you should wait until the static discharge (if any) is gone, else you run the risk of shock. Ground yourself first.

Method: Tissue paper

Verdict on all monitors: Does not work - and damages monitor

Tissue paper is an abrasive. The reason you do not use it to clean monitors is the same reason you don’t use it to clean eyeglasses, that being it will leave behind tiny scratches.

The cleaning ability of tissues is terrible. It does not pick up any dirt/dust at all, and you have to wipe harder (thereby leaving even more scratches) to get them to do anything.

If you notice one day your monitor looks “fuzzy” for seemingly no reason, it’s because the surface is chock full of scratches from cleaning it with tissue paper. Stay away from tissues for cleaning any monitor.