I’ve owned three laptops and I use one almost every day. Typically, I review several in a year. Throughout this entire length of time, the same thing has kept happening. No matter how clean I keep the environment I use my laptop in, nor how much care I take with a machine itself, it will still keep building up what technological cognoscenti such as myself refer to as “screen gunk.” No procedure detailed in any manufacturers’ documentation describes what, if any, course of action might be conceivably taken to effectively neutralize gunk. FAQs on a product sites have repeatedly failed to satisfactorily indicate any potentially emergent resolution to gunk. In fact, a careful scrutiny of the relevant secondary literature undeniably reveals a static vacuum of validated technical analysis on the stated problematic. Accordingly, over the years, many have approached me to ask “Mitchell, what can I do about screen gunk?” In the past, I ‘ve just had to stand there and look stupid (this is the approach still adopted by Neil Schuldiner). Today, I recommend Klear Screen.

The Klear Screen product is a polymer-based liquid screen cleaner specifically designed for use on virtually any type of computer display screen, from flat-panel monitors to PDA LCDs. To service the intended device, you simply spray it with a Klear Screen bottle, or wipe it down with a pre-packaged Klear Screen Single; the latter being much like a Chinese restaurant’s moist towelette. Then, dry it with a Klear Cloth polishing cloth until shiny. In just a couple of moments, the screen will be completely free of dust, lint, static build-up, and finger oils transmitted by keyboard contact - all the major constituents of gunk. Plus, that screen will have essential fluids replaced and replenished, adding significantly to its lifespan.

Note that a number of solutions offered in the past, including some by specialty outlets, should not be used. For example, some other products advanced for this use contain alcohol and ammonia, both of which can crack and damage displays made with plastic compounds. Certain dusting sprays marketed on television claim to be safe for cleaning laptop displays, but are chemically identical to products that both computer and cleaning spray manufacturers admit are hazardous to such items. According to the company’s website, vinegar and water might be safe for plastics, but they don’t remove static and finger-prints, or replenish screens with necessary liquids. By their reckoning, simply using glass cleaner and paper towels on a laptop screen usually results in damages averaging $2000. Packs of the very convenient Wet-Dry Klear Screen cleaning singles, by comparison, start at $5.95

I use Klear Screen. You should too. It’s inexpensive, it works, and it comes highly recommended to Education Update readers. A small investment in this product will go a long way towards protecting your big investment in computing hardware. More information about it, as well as online ordering, can be found at the company’s website www.klearscreen.com, or by calling 1-800-505-5327.#