Techlink
This Cleans Scented
Screen Cleaner
Suitable for all
displays, monitors
and television screens,
this cleaner comes in
four scents – apple,
cherry, mint and orange. The anti-microbial microfibre
cloth and spray leave the screen looking visibly clean
and streak-free, as well biologically clean. They also
leave your screen smelling fresh, a nice addition that
may only be noticeable when holding a newly cleaned
smartphone to your face.
This Cleans Screen Cleaner
An all-in-one screen cleaning kit for use on all LCD, LED
and plasma monitors, this product features a pop-up
anti-static brush to remove hard-to-get dust
from buttons and corners. It also includes an
antimicrobial polishing sponge, attached to
the spray so that it can’t be lost.
This Cleans Screen CleaningWipes
This set includes 12 wet and
dry wipes for the two-stage
anti-bacterial cleaning
of all screens. The
individually sealed
packs might be useful
for giving devices a quick clean on-the-go, but for a
more thorough clean I prefer a liquid spray solution.
AM Denmark
Flat Screen Cleaner Anti Run Gel
This gel-based screen cleaner can be used on
all screens. It has an anti-run effect which
means you can spray the product directly onto
the screen and no fluid will run off. It removes
dust and dirt well, leaving a streak-free finish.
The supplied microfibre cloth is
quite large, making it suitable
for cleaning bigger monitors.
Fellowes
Tablet and E-Reader Cleaning Kit
This kit from Fellowes includes a
120ml bottle of screen cleaner and a
microfibre cloth. Because it is a liquid
spray, you should spray onto the
microfibre cloth first and then wipe
the screen. The cleaning spray works
well. However, the cloth is fluffier
than others we tested and left pieces
of lint on the screen.
14
| P2P Magazine | Winter 2016
01732 759725
PRODUCTS
Clean machines
Screen tests
Today there are more screens than
ever in our homes and offices, from
PCs and laptops to tablets and
smartphones, all of which require –
but rarely get – regular cleaning.
A dirty, smeared screen impairs
the viewing experience, potentially
leading to eyestrain and headaches, and
can harbour thousands of germs and
bacteria. Research from the University
of Arizona shows that touchscreens
in particular are a source of microbes,
including MRSA and E.Coli.
Ric Stevenson, product and marketing
manager at Techlink, one of the world’s
largest suppliers of dedicated smart
device, computer and TV cleaning
products, says that this is driving growing
demand for antibacterial cleaning
solutions.
“Using antibacterial cleaners on
products that are shared or borrowed,
such as smartphones, tablets and
keyboards, could dramatically reduce
germ transmission,” he said.
“In the playground, for example,
where sharing smart devices is common,
one greasy teenage face print or
finger-mark or spittle on the screen
can incorporate thousands of germs
and bacteria for the next user to pick
up. Antibacterial cleaners dramatically
reduce the chance of passing germs
and bacteria between users at home, at
school, or in the office.”
What to use
With the wide range of screen cleaners
available, it can be difficult to know what
product to use. Some companies offer
‘all-in-one’ solutions designed for use on
most screens, while others recommend
individual products optimised for specific
screen materials.
Stevenson highlights the importance
of choosing the right cleaner for the job
– and always reading the label: “There’s
a wide range of screen materials on the
market, from ‘Gorilla’ and ‘Sapphire’ glass
on smartphones and tablets to plastic
screens on laptops and LCD TVs. There is
also a wide range of plastic screen types.
A matt-finish LCD TV screen requires a
different cleaning agent to a high-gloss
touchscreen on a laptop, for example, so
it is essential to choose the right cleaner
for the job.
“The reasons are two-fold. Cleaners
that are designed for a specific surface
will clean better and leave a better finish
– smear-free, antibacterial or anti-static
– than a generic cleaner or one made for
a different surface. Secondly, using the
wrong cleaner can potentially damage
the surface being cleaned. For example,
many consumers do not realise that
using strong alcohol-based cleaners on
plastic screens can degrade the surface
and make the screen look misty over
time.
“Moreover, while screens on tablets,
like the latest iPad series, are made from
glass, they are actually coated with a
thin layer of material to improve touch-
sensitivity and reduce glare. This surface
is easily damaged and, over time, can
even be removed completely by cleaners
that state they are safe to use on glass
screens.”
Wipe clean
It’s not only the cleaner that’s
important; you also need to use an
appropriate cloth, as the wrong one can
push particles around and scratch the
surface of a screen.
A number of Techlink products come
with a fine-weave microfibre cloth, with
some subtle changes to weave density
and/or cleaning pad finish depending on
the product’s intended use. Microfibre
cloths are popular because they lift
dust and dirt from the surface and draw
particles into their fibres, ensuring they
are removed rather than simply moved
around.
Are you looking after your screens properly?
Tayla Ansell considers the case for using dedicated screen
cleaning products
Ric Stevenson, product and marketing
manager, Techlink
