Screen cleaner ruined my eReader [tags: clean, cleaning]

[Ken Maltby]

Perhaps this thread should be in the - Kindle - section?

Especially with the Kindle tech's explaination that the device has a different screen
chemistry.

As to cleaning the screens of my devices, I use this:

http://store.caig.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2583/.f

It comes with a microfiber cloth, and suggests that you spray the cloth not your
device.

Luck;
Ken

[stickybuns]

Originally Posted by Ken Maltby

Perhaps this thread should be in the - Kindle - section?

Especially with the Kindle tech's explaination that the device has a different screen
chemistry.

As to cleaning the screens of my devices, I use this:

http://store.caig.com/s.nl/it.A/id.2583/.f

It comes with a microfiber cloth, and suggests that you spray the cloth not your
device.

Luck;
Ken

Aren't the screens on e-ink readers all manufactured by the same company or something? I would think that this warning would apply to any of them, not just the Kindle. The "different screen chemistry" comment is--from what I understand--in regards to eink vs LCD rather than Kindle vs all other screens.

The only thing that's Amazon centric about the thread is that the OP received excellent customer service but that was really mostly a side topic.

[JSWolf]

So far all I've used has been a microfiber cloth, water, and/or some spit. That works and I'm good to go.

[Kevin8or]

Originally Posted by frostschutz

Well, in any case, you shouldn't use it anymore even if it worked so far for your LCD. A cleaner that does this to any display is not safe to use.

Good advice. I won't use it on anything. Thanks to everyone for the advice and commiseration.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by HappyMartin

You never sneezed while reading?

Maybe he's not allergic to reading, like some of us......wait......what?

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by Hellmark

The only thing I've ever used on my displays have been things specifically designed for displays or glasses. Even still, I am hesitant to use them, and also use very little. Best thing to do is to use a microfiber cloth dry. If you do need a wet cleaner, put a tiny bit on to a cloth, and then wipe with the cloth. When I've used a wet cleaner on my reader, I used a prepackaged wetwipe meant for glasses, which was mostly water and isopropyl alcohol, and used very lightly. eInk screens are glass based, and mine doesn't have any touch layers, so it is relatively safe. I'd be resistant to try that on ones with touch interfaces, with possible exception of ones with IR touch interfaces.

......

^^^^^^^ THIS ^^^^^^

[witeowl]

Stop using detergents with your microfiber cloths!

Because of the nature of microfiber, you don't actually need any cleaning solvents (soap, detergent, whatever). Instead, all you need is water. So, if you have a microfiber cloth, just get one corner damp (not wet), wipe with the damp end, then dry with the other end.

[Pinecone]

Originally Posted by witeowl

Because of the nature of microfiber, you don't actually need any cleaning solvents (soap, detergent, whatever). Instead, all you need is water. So, if you have a microfiber cloth, just get one corner damp (not wet), wipe with the damp end, then dry with the other end.

In general, I agree. I do not use any solvent type cleaners on my glasses or screens.

but I have run into things that a tiny bit of detergent, with a microfiber cloth, was MUCH easier to deal with, than without the detergent.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

In general, I agree. I do not use any solvent type cleaners on my glasses or screens.

but I have run into things that a tiny bit of detergent, with a microfiber cloth, was MUCH easier to deal with, than without the detergent.

Agreed. If the screen gets REALLY yucky (eg if your 3-year-old nephew has picked it up with jam-smeared hands ) a wipe with a dishcloth dipped in warm soapy water and then wrung-out, before using the microfibre cloth for a final "polish" works well.

[witeowl]

Originally Posted by Pinecone

In general, I agree. I do not use any solvent type cleaners on my glasses or screens.

but I have run into things that a tiny bit of detergent, with a microfiber cloth, was MUCH easier to deal with, than without the detergent.

No doubt, just as (back in the days of cleaning regularly with detergent) I would pull out the heavy-duty cleanser on the stuck-on grime. But that doesn't mean I'd jump straight to the heavy-duty cleanser for every mess. Similarly, people shouldn't jump to microfiber+cleanser when microfiber+water will likely work.

My message was aimed at the millions of people (of whatever fraction of that read MRF) who seem to think that microfiber is useful only with special cleansers when, in fact, it's most useful as a product which can eliminate the need for even regular cleansers!

Originally Posted by HarryT

Agreed. If the screen gets REALLY yucky (eg if your 3-year-old nephew has picked it up with jam-smeared hands ) a wipe with a dishcloth dipped in warm soapy water and then wrung-out, before using the microfibre cloth for a final "polish" works well.

I challenge you to try it next time with only the microfiber and water. Jam is really just sugar and should be easily cleaned with the basics. Try it. I'll even bet a shiny quarter that it'll work just as well.

[carpetmojo]

I have tried the "instructions" on the mocrofibre packet, and attacked a VERY greasy oven hob with a dry m/f cloth - and to my surprise, it worked perfectly .
Bit more elbow grease than with a cleaner gunk - but then you dont have to rinse it etc..
If you're a bug freak you can spray it afterwards I suppose, which, being a bug fanatic, you'd do anyway !

But they are designed to be used without any cleaning agent.

And damp on a cloth is all that's necessary for stubborn stuff.

And they're so cheap - 3 or 4 for £1 @ Poundland (that's a surprise price,,) and any will do - you see large "car m'f cloths" - they're all the same stuff.

And they are great as emergency towels for camping - you'd be surprised what you can dry with one ...

[FatDog]

I work a lot with home theater gear (LCD, Plasma televisions) and screen cleaning often comes up.

The guys at HDNation have a show about screen cleaning where they talk about 'polishing' a spot on a screen, using cleaners that melt plastic, penetrate glass (ammonia) and dissolve anti-glare coating. The thing that seems to work consistently is a 50:50 water and alcohol solution (using Deionized/purified water) and the micro-fiber cloth. (See link below).

Monster sells a "Screen Cleaning Kit" for about $15 with a spray bottle of 50:50 water and alcohol and a micro-fiber cloth. This is probably best for most people.


http://revision3.com/hdnation/screenclean

[fafaforza]

All I've ever had to do on my touch screen PRS650 was to breathe a hot breath on it and use a microfiber. That gets rid of any spots or blemishes I've ever had on it.

On my laptop's LCD, I just tab a little water and go to town with a microfiber. Any time I've seen an LCD cleaner, it left a lot of residue. Witnessed a brand new iMac get tarnished that way. Why bother, and waste money?

[khalleron]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

So far all I've used has been a microfiber cloth, water, and/or some spit. That works and I'm good to go.

Me, too - on eink Sony or LCD Nook Color. I don't even understand what the 'cleaner' is for. Water and microfiber is a winning combination for just about anything.

I clean my glasses with a microfiber cloth and some Dawn and warm water.

[Pinecone]

As I said before, a SMALL amount of detergent helps.

Emphasis on the SMALL. Like a drop in a pint of water, small amount.

Detergents work by reducing surface tension, helping the water wet the material.