How to Clean Digital Signage Screens to Maintain Best Hygiene Practices in Busy Environments

Cleaning Digital Signage Screens and Computer Monitors:

We see it every day, someone cleaning off the screen of their smartphone or trying to remove a smudge from their glasses by wiping it with any haphazard material they can get their hands on deemed, "soft enough not to damage anything," in the moment. This list often includes things like shirttails, napkins, sleeves, or towels, and while those may be a just-passable option for your smartphone, they can seriously damage larger-scale devices. What's more, those methods don't help limit the spread of bacteria that can live on the screen and even worse, can go home with you if you used your shirt!

Believe it or not, that new video wall, advertisement kiosk, or LED poster will naturally collect dust and even fingerprints from curious visitors even if it doesn't feature touchscreen capabilities. Take a moment to turn it off and view it from different angles in good light to highlight any smudges, fingerprints, and dust that has settled to the surface. Odds are, it could use some attention, especially in high-traffic areas where proper sanitization should be on your daily check-list. Computer monitors or portable iPad holders are often used in vulnerable locations such as retail stores and in the healthcare industry where the same device may be handled by dozens of people throughout the day. Here are some tips to help limit the spread of viruses, infectious diseases, and bacteria and how to clean your digital signage screens to maintain a healthy, sanitized environment for everyone.

Tips to Clean Your LED or LCD Display’s Monitor

As with most things, preparation is key, so before you can get down to cleaning your digital signage screen you should take some steps to reduce the risk of any solutions or liquids penetrating the surface and causing damage to the components beneath. Start by shutting down the system completely and perhaps even unplugging it if able to the device cool down before getting to work. Once ready, make sure to be thorough in order to protect anyone who might be using the device later - the spread of germs, bacteria, or viruses can be easily prevented with proper cleaning methods.

• Do - use a microfiber cloth. This material is thin, light, and soft while remaining durable enough to get the hard gunk off without the risk of fraying or peeling like a paper towel might. Microfiber cloths lock on to contaminants such as dust, lint, dirt, or hair and do not spread those things across the screen. Other appropriate options include cotton tea towels, cotton t-shirts, or cotton handkerchiefs - but only as a substitute for when a microfiber cloth is not readily available.


• Do - sanitize with a cleaning solution when able to ensure any harmful bacteria or viruses are killed off. We recommend using a 70% isopropyl alcohol or disinfecting wipe, or a home-made solution of equal parts rubbing alcohol and distilled water in a spray bottle. It is important to note two things here; always spray or dampen your cloth and not the device itself before cleaning, and remember that this is a glass surface, not steel, so be gentle to avoid scratching.


• Do - grab a small hand-vacuum or one from home and tackle the dust particles that settle in the gaps where the screen bezel and the top layer of glass meets. You can either use the vacuum wand or an attachment with a soft-bristled brush, to avoid scratching, to keep these sections clean. While you can use a microfiber cloth to get in and clean these spaces, be careful about pressing against the screen and causing damage.


• Do - spray the surface, back vents, and ports with compressed air to clear these areas of any lingering, stubborn debris. Afterward, gently wipe the surfaces with a microfiber cloth to give it that fresh-out-of-the-box appeal it had the day you first installed it. Cleaning your digital signage screen is often more involved than making sure the front panel is spotless.


• Don't - press directly down on LCD or LED digital signage screens. We know it can be tempting to scratch away or rub against a tough fingerprint or smudge spot but this can cause longer-lasting and much more unappealing damage to the anti-gloss coating. On top of this, it is possible to damage the lights beneath the panel by pressing against it too hard. To avoid this, use a cleaning solution such as isopropyl alcohol diluted with water, spray that mixture on your trusty microfiber cloth and gently wipe down the spot.


• Don't - spray liquid cleaners directly onto the screen as it can seriously damage the electrical components underneath the front panel and can risk electrocution if the device is still plugged in. The best method here is to first wipe down the digital signage screen with a dry cloth before returning with dampened microfiber cloth to finish the job.


• Don't - use ammonia-based liquid cleaners as these solutions can damage any special, protective coating your digital signage screen may have while cleaning. Avoid using window or glass cleaners on any tablet, phone or computer monitor to avoid damage. Most LCD and LED monitors are only designed to handle light touch, both physically and in regards to the chemicals used to clean them and many have a special protective coating that can be damaged by harsh chemicals. It is always best to be gentle and err on the side of caution.

Takeaways on Cleaning Digital Signage Screens

Despite, in most cases, being advanced pieces of modern technology that far exceed the capabilities of old-school glass tube televisions - LCD and LED panels are incredibly delicate and must be treated with care. It is an easy trap to fall into to think one must simply put in some elbow-grease to remove a stubborn smudge, when all that's really needed are the right tools and softer approach. Displays2go has been at the forefront of the digital signage revolution and offers a slew of products, including digital kiosks, to help capture the attention of your customers. While having a cutting edge piece of electronic advertisement is sure to help your business, remember, maintaining it properly will help protect your investment for years to come. Join us in doing your part to help limit the spread of infectious disease and viruses in heavily-trafficked areas, especially in the retail healthcare industries so that each and every one of us can live with a little extra peace of mind.