Clean Your LCD Screen By Darryl Wilkinson April 14, 2006 — ScreenTek, a company that sells laptop replacement screens (who knew there even was such a thing as a laptop replacement screen? I thought you were simply out of luck...), has developed a cleaning solution for LCD screens that are not in need of being replaced. Called PixelClean, the new screen cleaner was developed for high-gloss LCD screens like Sony XBRITE and Toshiba TruBrite - although the formulation is supposed to work as well on other types of flat-panel screens, such as less-advanced laptops, plasma TVs, and LCD TVs.

ScreenTek says PixelClean is "the first of its kind" and differs from other screen cleaners on the market by virtue of the fact that it was designed specifically for use on high-gloss screens but can be used on virtually any LCD screen. Since the formulation is polymer-based and free of both ammonia and alcohol, the company maintains that the cleaner: repels dust by eliminating static charge build-up; does not leave behind streaks; is biodegradable and environmentally safe; and is safe to use on a regular basis (something not good to do with ammonia-based formulas).

PixelClean is available as a kit containing a bottle of solution and a seven-inch square PixelWipe - a non-scratching reusable cleaning cloth that can be machine washed. (While the cloth is reusable, the cleaning solution, alas, is only usable until the bottle's empty.) One-time use packets that include a disposable PixelClean wipe and a disposable dry buffing cloth are also available.

I don't know how long this deal will be offered, but you can score a free sample packet with wet and dry cloths by going to the PixelClean website and filling out a short form (it's much shorter than the 1040EZ form, let me tell you). The free samples ScreenTek sent my way worked exceptionally well on the LCD and CRT computer screens on my desk. In fact, I used to think I needed new glasses, but now I realize it was just a filthy screen I was looking at. (Although ScreenTek doesn't mention cleaning CRTs with the stuff, I took the chance anyway. I'm just that sort of a maverick, risk-taking guy...)

In addition to offering screen cleaners and laptop replacement screens, ScreenTek can also upgrade your wimpy anti-glare laptop screen to a high-gloss screen through its PixelBright service.

Now, if they could only come up with a cloth that would clean the rest of my office...and then put a nice PixelBright shine on everything. That would be so cool...