Don’t know what you should be wiping your electronic screen device with? This guide will walk you through the different types of screens and their cleaning needs for your smartphone, laptop, or large TV, each device has its own set of requirements when it comes to screen cleaning and we’ll explore which products are best suited for each type of device you have. You’ll find that some screen cleaners are more general-purpose and some might be for specific types of screens.
Nonetheless, after reading this you’ll have a clearer understanding of how to care for each device’s screen properly and ensure that they continue to serve you well without the troubles of repairs or replacements due to improper maintenance
Understanding Screen Types
Before we dive into recommending the right screen cleaner for your device, it’s crucial we understand the different types of screens each electronic devices have so we don’t apply cleaning solutions that could potentially cause damage or be impractical. Here is the list of screens
LCD Screens
Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) screens are quite common in many devices which include TVs, monitors, and laptops. These types of screens are considered less fragile compared to OLED screens but could still get scratches and smudges. It’s recommended to use a soft, lint-free cloth and to avoid ammonia-based cleaners as they can cause chemical damage to the screen’s coating.
LED Screens
Light-emitting diodes (LED) are similar to LCDs but instead, they use blacklights. This technology can be found in different computer monitors and television screens. Again the safe option for cleaning this type of screen is using a soft cloth and a suitable screen cleaning solution that does not contain alcohol or ammonia known chemicals that degrade the screen’s coating.
OLED and AMOLED Screens
Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) and Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode (AMOLED) screens are found in your high-end smartphones and TVs. These types of screens offer high-spec coloring and contrast but for this reason, they tend to be more susceptible to water damage and “burn-in” from static images. Use a microfiber cloth and be gentle by applying minimal pressure to avoid damaging these precious screens.
Plasma Screens
These were once popular in your TVs, plasma screens are very delicate and require careful cleaning to avoid damage to their glass surfaces. As delicate as they are we recommend you use a microfiber cloth and dampened with a gentle cleaning solution designed for plasma screens, these are usually ammonia and alcohol-free.
Capacitive and Resistive Touch Screens
These are known to be found in your smartphones, tablets, and some laptops, also known to easily accumulate fingerprints and oils quickly. You can use a soft, non-abrasive cloth with a water-based cleaner. For capacitive touch screens ones that are coated with a transparent conductor that reacts to touch by sensing the change in the electrostatic field at the touch point, we recommend again screen cleaners that are alcohol and ammonia-free.
E Ink Screens
These are commonly used in e-readers, E Ink screens are quite delicate devices and can be damaged by liquids and abrasive materials. Therefore we should most of the time dust them gently with a dry microfiber cloth only. However if they they start getting significantly dirty very slightly dampen the cloth with just water as we want to avoid chemical cleaners for these devices.
Types of Screen Cleaners
Now we’ll dive into the general type of screen cleaners available for use depending on the screen type of your electronic devices. This is crucial to know to avoid damage and ensure effective cleaning. Here we’ll break down the most common and general types of screen cleaners and their appropriate usage:
Spray Cleaners
- Pros: Convenient for your large screens, such as TVs and monitors, where you need to cover a larger surface area more easily.
- Cons: The risk of overspray could lead to liquid damage if you aren’t careful. Try to look for spray mechanics that pray minimal amounts of liquid cleaning solution or spray directly onto your fabric of choice then wipe
Microfiber Cloths
- Pros: These are your safest option on fabric choice to wipe your electronic screens. They are designed to clean all types of screens and easily remove dust and oily fingerprints without scratching the surface area.
- Cons: None
Gel Cleansers
- Pros: Its sticky nature absorbs all the impurities you find on your screen allowing you to apply less force and also solves the issue of liquid damage.
- Cons: Can be more expensive than other types of cleaners.
Screen Wipes
- Pros: These are extremely convenient, with pre-moistened wipes ready for immediate use. They are also compact which makes them ideal for travel and quick touch-ups.
- Cons: They sometimes contain chemicals that may be too harsh for your sensitive screen types. Also can easily dry out if the package is not resealed correctly.
DIY solutions
- Pros: Cost-effective and likely can be produced using your household items. This option can likely reduce the need for disposable products and harsh chemical use.
- Cons: Risks of incorrect mixture ratios that can harm your device screen and can also be time-consuming to make.
Use the diverse Hyscreen Kit on your screens
The Hyscreen Kit excels in these areas of your need:
- Mist spray mechanism which sprays a calculated amount of liquid solution and minimizes the risk of liquid damage to your device.
- Gentle cleaning solution (Ammonia and alcohol-free)
- Non-abrasive fabric material
- Highly convenient, compact, and travel-friendly
Bonus: Comes with a free polishing cloth.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Screen Cleaner
It’s not just about picking the best screen cleaner that will make your device look pristine and spotless. There are some other key factors you need to consider before selecting a product off the shelf, Here is the list of factors:
Screen Sensitivity
As discussed screen types have different levels of sensitivity to chemicals and abrasion. Take OLED and AMOLED screens for example which are more susceptible to damage from harsh chemicals compared to LCD screens. Understanding your screen sensitivity and also reading the user’s manual will help you decide which appropriate cleaner to use for your screen to avoid costly damage.
Environmental Factors
Outside the specs of your screen properties, you also want to be mindful of your surroundings that may be exposed to chemical screen cleaner. If you have young children, or pets or live in a place with high dust or pollen counts, you might want to opt for a screen cleaner that can address these issues without being toxic or causing allergies.
Frequency of Use
Are you constantly using your device for work or are just personally glued to your device such as your smartphone and tablet? Then you might want to keep that in mind as this will result in you accumulating more fingerprints and oils faster than a TV screen. In this case, maybe you might want to look for a cleaner that can handle regular use without degrading the screen’s protective coating.
Manufacturer’s Recommendations
On top of reading this blog, we always recommend you listen to your manufacturer’s recommendations that created the device screen as well. Most of the time they’ll specify what kind of properties in screen cleaners to avoid or provide details on what methods are best and safest for their devices.
Ease of Use
Consider how convenient and how easy it is to use the cleaner. You’ll notice that some screen cleaning kits come with necessary tools like microfiber or squeegees that aid in providing an easy user experience with applied to their devices.
Safety and Ingredients
Look for screen cleaners that are also free from harmful chemicals such as ammonia and alcohol that can easily degrade the screen coatings and cause long-term damage. Instead look for cleaners with non-toxic, hypoallergenic formulas especially if you don’t know how you’d react to unknown chemical encounters.
