How do you clean 21" Monitors?
 

They have a film over them to prevent glare - but using water or windex does not work. It leaves streaks in the monitor which are extremely noticeable, and annoying.

I have read somewhere that you should avoid spraying windex directly on any monitor, since it can leak into the insides. And I have heard that you should use alcohol swabs for such monitors with this film that streaks like crazy. Maybe because it evaporates so quickly - I don't know.

What do you guys think (actually, what do you guys know? :) )

we sell a lot of "monitor cleaner" at our store... its glorified windex, but it works i hear... look on buy.com or even walmart...

when mine get dirty, I just buy a new one. I didn't know you coul clean them.

i do that with dishes.

You should always read the owners manual for your particular monitor before spraying cleaners on it. It varies from monitor to monitor. Your manual should tell you what kind of coating the tube has, and how to care for it.

I use a trick I learned working in a restuarant with a lot of mirrors- white vinegar and coffee filters. The vinegar dissolves almost anything, even cigarette smoke residue, and the coffee filters leave no lint.

AdultWire, very true. Why didn't I think of that? :)

I tried looking on the net, but there's nothing... I assumed most of the more expensive monitors had the same film, since they are all basically designed for use by graphic designers... and thus, I assumed that they all use the same film to reduce glare.

How about if it is an LCD screen?

I used to use lense wipes for the ones you use for cleaning camera lenses worked fine for monitors

wash it off in the pool.

I just remembered why I didn't look in the manual - it's because I don't have one. Does anyone else have this monitor:

Dell P1110:
http://www.workstationsetc.com/specials/dellp1110.asp

I'd like to know what the manual says you have to do to clean it.

Regarding the LCD screens - I was only looking for information on CRT monitors.

Just so you know, I tried throwing it in the pool, but that didn't work. It just sparks a lot now. How do I get rid of the sparks? Should I take it out of the pool?

water

I use lens wipes when I'm not sure... There's almost nothing they will damage.. I trust my cameras with them, and I trust my monitors with them.. they're not gonna help with REALLY NASTY baked on stains though, so next time, aim away from the monitor.

Haha.. the page you just posted has a link to the manual, which has cleaning instructions in the safety section. Damp cloth.

Ha ha, I was thinking maybe they had a link to the manual as I was closing the window, but figuring how useful webpages usually are, I decided the chances were too slim for me to bother and check.

I've been using damp cloths the whole time, and I get nothing but streaks that last forever... I'll have to give some of these other suggestions a try.

Has anyone tried alcohol swabs (or whatever you call 'em)?

Oh, and thanks for the tips, everyone!

(What?! A GFY thread that is giving away legit information?! Maybe this thread should be locked up, before anyone gets the wrong idea about this board...)