Do you miss that shiny new laptop look or can't stand the thought of the misguided executive image? Here's how to brew your own laptop screen cleaning kit using simple household ingredients. Please read ALL the warnings in the section farther down in this wiki page before attempting to clean any LCD screen!

These days, 2009 vs 2005, most manufacturers are no longer recommending using products that contain ANY alcohol, ammonia, or other strong solvents on LCD screens.

If you take great care in the selection of the ingredients for your solution, the containers you are going to mix your solution in, and your choice of cleaning cloths, it is possible to clean your LCD screen with household products. If you are unsure about ANY of the pieces mentioned above, then your safest path is to purchase a package of single use wet/dry commercially available wipes that are designed, and tested, specifically for cleaning LCD and Plasma screens.

1. Create a gentle cleaning solution. The ideal solution is plain distilled water. If more heavy cleaning is needed a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and distilled water can also be effective. 
   • Manufacturers no longer recommend using any cleaners with alcohol, ammonia or any strong solvents on LCD screens. See link to Dual Wet/Dry cleaning System in Sources and Citations below.
2. Put the solution in a small atomizer bottle, the type that you push from the top to get a fine mist. Don't use this, however, to spray on the screen itself.
3. Apply--a minimal amount of--the solution to a cotton cloth, such as an old T-shirt, lint-free microfiber cloth, or some other very soft cloth. A large cloth is best, since it will help to reduce the risk of leaving streaks across the screen from finger pressure. Do not make the cloth wet, only moist. A wet cloth can drip or run when cleaning the screen and the solution can weep behind the bezel and permanently damage your screen!
4. Wipe the cloth against the screen in a circular, or other consistent motion. Rapid circular movements generally eliminate streaks. Apply--a gentle--and even pressure to the cloth. Use only enough pressure to keep the cloth in contact with the screen. Take care not to press your fingers into the cloth or screen. Applying too much force when cleaning the screen can permanently damage the LCD matrix rendering your screen unusable.