Do you wash your hands before you pick up your tablet, each and every time? Chances are, your screen could do with a good cleaning.

Getting anything done on your your tablet by touching the screen is intuitive and easy, but it inevitably leads to greasy fingerprints all over the display. 

Here’s how to clean a tablet screen and, just as importantly, how not to do it.

1. Make sure your tablet is turned off and to disconnect it from any external power sources. This if two reasons; firstly to make it easier to see the dirt on your screen and secondly, to reduce the risk of the device shorting.

2. The easiest way to clean your tablet is with a microfiber cloth. This is because microfiber products attract and remove unwanted oils and dust, whereas other product simply spread them around. Take your microfiber cloth and gently rub the screen in a circular motion, paying special attention to any particularly greasy spots.

3. For dirtier jobs, or those that require more than a microfiber cloth and a little elbow grease, consider using an alcohol and ammonia free cleaning solution. Wet a corner of the microfiber cloth with the solution — don’t use soap of any kind while doing this — and clean the surface of the screen by gently rubbing in a circular movement.

4. Once done, use a dry part of the cloth to remove any solution that might be sitting on the screen. Gently wipe the screen with the microfiber cloth from top to bottom. Try not to press too hard as this can damage your device. Continue to use the microfiber cloth to remove any remaining smudgy oils.

What not to do:

Unlike paper-based towels or the edge of your t-shirt, microfiber cloths can gently clean the sensitive glass on your smartphone or tablet without running the risk of scratching it. These materials can not only scratch away the protective coating on your screen, but even scratch the glass itself. If the cloth has a logo or image printed on it, don’t use the screen-printed area.

Here are some extra tips:

• Try not to let moisture enter any ports on your tablet - water and iPads, for example, just don’t mix.

• If you do use a cleaning solution, try not to let it sit for too long on the screen. You don’t want to leave any residue behind that might be damaging to the screen in the long run

• Avoid using an alcohol-based cleaner on your device, as these will damage the protective coating on most touch screens and ruin your tablet. You also want to make sure that the solution you use it ammonia free.

• Do not wipe or clean your tablet with paper towels or facial tissues as there is a high risk that they will scratch the screen’s surface. Using a microfiber cloth is the only safe way to clean your touch screen.

• The screen cleaner and microfiber in all AM products is gentle and efficient enough to be used on any surfaces, including phones, camera lenses, eyeglasses, TV’s and car touch screens.

 

About the author:

This post was written by AM Denmark. Established in 1971, over the last 45 years AM has earned its place as a leader in the field of vinyl, hi-fi, computer, touch screen and flat screen TV cleaning. As media consumption has evolved, AM has continued to innovate and adapt to new technologies and devices. AM strives to provide the best and highest quality cleaning products for office and home use. The cleaning liquid in all AM cleaning products is alcohol-free, and safely tested across all screens. It won’t damage your most sensitive gadgets, screens or your skin, even after repeated use.