[ # ] DIY: Make LCD Cleaner Solution Just Like the Pros
/* Posted November 14th, 2008 at 9:33am *//* Filed under How-To */
/* */
Why pay for expensive LCD cleaner solutions from the store when you can just make your own, just like the pros. LCD cleaner is actually quite easy to make and in fact can be made from two common household products. Once you make it, you can use the solution on your LCD TV or LCD monitor to prolong the screen’s life and your viewing pleasure.
Now if you’ve ever thought, “Why bother? I’ll just spray on some Windex” well your gravely wrong. Windex and other similar cleaning agents contain ammonia, which are known to strip the screen’s anti-glare as well as cloud the plastic-based screen over time. And if you’ve ever said, “I’ll just clean it with water,” you’re most likely wrong again. If you meant the water that comes out of the faucet in your sink, you’re wrong, even if it’s filtered. Tap water contains minerals which can leave white smears on your screen. Also if you’ve got filtered water, depending on your filtration system, the minerals may or may not be removed as they are beneficial to your well-being anyways. The least you should do is to use distilled water or pure water which is mineral free. This can usually be purchased at your local pharmacy or drug store.
But don’t stop there, to get professional grade LCD cleaning solution, you have to add another ingredient: isopropyl alcohol, more commonly known as rubbing alcohol. In fact, the widely accepted method to clean your LCD screen is to mix 50 parts distilled water with 50 parts isopropyl alcohol (also known as IPA). Not only is this cheap for you to make, it is even recommended by LCD cleaner insiders, “The main ingredient in most wipes on the market is water. There needs to be a small percentage of isopropyl alcohol (IPA) to help get rid of the grease from busy fingers.” The best safe mixture, depending on the severity of prints on your screen you want to remove, varies from 30% to 50% alcohol. This affects the percentage amount of isopropyl alcohol to buy. For example, to get a concoction with 35% alcohol, you’d mix 50 parts distilled water with 50 parts 70% isopropyl alcohol (0.5 x 70% = 35%). If you wanted a stronger brew with 50% alcohol (anything over that could possibly damage the screen), you’d find 100% isopropyl alcohol to mix with equal parts distilled water.
You could go to the store and buy some pre-made LCD cleaner solution, but you’re not that kind of person. Your the do-it-yourself type of personality and you have every reason not to buy expensive store LCD cleaner. Why? Because it all contains the same stuff (namely water and alcohol). Even IBM says it’s OK to use your own 50/50 solution.
Now that we’ve established the proper liquid to apply to our TV screens, what is the proper way to apply it? Your LCD screen has crystal molecules sandwiched under layers of polarized panels. These panels are usually made of “plastic-like” polymer materials, and like any plastic they can easily be scratched, even by your fingernails. When wiping the screen, be gentle and do not apply a lot of pressure. Spray the cleaner onto a lint-free cloth like the ones eyeglasses usually come with. Some TVs ship with a microfiber cleaning cloth that you can use. Do not spray directly onto your TV. Also stay away from any paper towels or tissues as they can leave little particles everywhere and can potentially scratch the screen. Using gentle circular motions, work your way from the top of the screen all the way to the bottom. Be careful not to let your fingernails contact the screen as you will scratch your screen!
And you read that right back there, it’s "Lucky" brand rubbing alcohol. You know, before Albertson’s gobbled them up? Tsk tsk, so quick to forget…
Images/Code Retard
Subscribe via email
Hi nice blog! keep it up. This blog provides most informatics information. If you get more information about Laptop Security you can visit:Data Security, Find Laptop, Personnel Tracking
[...] think I am still crazy, here are websites supporting the spotting problem that I have mentioned; DIY: Make LCD Cleaner Solution Just Like the Pros | Code Retard How to Properly Clean your LCD Screen – [Geeks are Sexy] technology news __________________ [...]