There was a time when the most delicate surface in the home was perhaps a crystal decanter or the dining room mirror. Now, it seems, the modern household is filled with glowing rectangles – televisions, computer monitors, and the like. Each of them frightfully expensive and rather sensitive to mistreatment. Fortunately, caring for them requires very little effort, provided one proceeds with a touch of restraint and a modicum of good sense. So, no hitting the vino prior to cleaning.
First things first: do turn the screen off before you begin. A darkened display reveals every speck of dust and every offending fingerprint, much like turning down the lights at a dinner party reveals precisely who has spilled Shiraz on the linen. If possible, unplugging the device as well is a sensible precaution and ensures that your cleaning is conducted in perfect safety.
Your most loyal ally in this task will be the humble microfibre cloth. It may not sound particularly glamorous, but it is wonderfully gentle and quite incapable of scratching the delicate coating that modern screens possess. A soft, dry wipe, light circular motions are perfectly adequate and will dispatch the majority of dust and minor smudges without the slightest fuss.
One must, however, resist the temptation to improvise. Kitchen roll, tissues, and the corner of an old tea towel may seem convenient, but they are far too coarse for such refined surfaces and may leave scratches that no amount of polishing will forgive. A proper cloth is the only civilised option.
Should fingerprints prove stubborn, as they inevitably do in homes containing grandchildren, enthusiastic guests, or the occasional curious pet, simply dampen the microfibre cloth ever so slightly with distilled water. The operative phrase here is slightly. One is aiming for barely damp, not dripping. Wipe the screen gently and, if necessary, follow with a second dry cloth to restore the glass to its pristine state.
It is also worth remembering one golden rule: never spray liquid directly onto the screen itself. Even the most well-behaved cleaner can wander where it ought not, seeping into edges and causing mischief. Always apply moisture to the cloth first.
If grease marks remain, perhaps from a particularly dramatic evening of streaming and snacks, you may employ a cleaner designed specifically for screens (Lazer or Moki work well). Again, spray it onto the cloth rather than the screen. Under no circumstances should you reach for household window cleaner, alcohol-based sprays, or anything containing ammonia or acetone. These products may work wonders on bathroom mirrors, but they are positively ruinous to the anti-glare coatings on modern televisions and monitors.
Finally, do not neglect the frame and edges of the device. Dust has a way of gathering there with quiet determination. A gentle wipe with the same cloth, or even a soft brush, will keep the entire affair looking tidy and well cared for.
And there you have it, a screen-cleaning routine that is efficient, elegant, and entirely free of drama. Like many domestic arts, it is less about elbow grease and more about knowing precisely what not to do. With a little care and the proper cloth, your screens will remain as spotless and dignified as the drawing room on a Sunday afternoon.
Time for tea? Well of course. A slice of shortbread wouldn’t go amiss either.
See you next week dears x
Proudly Australian owned and operated