One of the more expensive parts of your laptop computer is the LCD or liquid crystal display. The LDC display is the eyes of your computer and if you damage it by cleaning it, you may be out several hundreds of dollars to replace it.

Most LCD displays are used for laptop computers which unfortunately, apt to be used in more places where the display can be dirtied than your flat display desktop computer. Coffee houses, college dorm rooms and kitchen tables are prime places for spills and smudges to occur on your formally pristine laptop. Cleaning your display can be disastrous, if you treat your LCD the way you would an old fashioned CRT monitor display. Did you know you can destroy the pixels of your display by pressing on the LCD with your fingertips trying to remove the splash of double mocha latte your roommate left on your laptop? Did you know Windex can be poison for your prized wide-display monitor? Here are some tips drawn from the major computer manufacturers on caring and cleaning your LCD.

Check with the manufacturer of your particular monitor before cleaning. Most displays come with written instructions or you can check with tech support.

1) Shut off the laptop and unplug it from the wall. You will be able to see the smudges and streaks easier with the monitor off.

2) Do not touch the display with hard or sharp objects. This includes your fingers!

3) Use a clean, dry, lint-free cloth and gently stroke the cloth in one direction from the top to the bottom of the display.

4) If the display is still dirty after the gentle use of a dry cloth, try using a commercially prepared solution made for cleaning the LCD. Put a small amount of the solution onto the cloth and stroke again in the same direction, from top to bottom.

5) If you dont have LCD cleaning solution you can try the following: Be sure to check with your manufacturer first. Each one may have different requirements.

water (some manufacturers state to never use plain water, but water with vinegar instead), isoprophyl alcohol, or hexane.

6) Most manufacturers recommend you NEVER use the following:

acetone, ethyl alcohol, toluene, ethyl acid, ammonia, or methyl chloride. This includes regular Windex cleaner. These cleaners contain chemicals that could react with your display causing the pixels to be permanently damaged.

Think of your LCD as a delicate eye for your laptop that needs special care and consideration. And keep your coffee off the screen!