Exhibit A: Toddler Finger Smudges
I struggle with having clean screens.
Not the window-kind. (I struggle with simply HAVING those… Thanks to a dog who is petrified of thunderstorms…)
But rather the computer and TV variety.
My house is dusty. I think it’s a side affect of living in a windy climate. (And also probably from pretty much NEVER dusting.)
And, living on a “farm” equals lots of flies in the summer. Which equals flies in my house, no matter how many hours I spend with a swatter in my hand.
The worst part about flies? They poop. Oh yes they do. And fly poop annoys me (much more than dust does).
So this is a very round-about way to say my laptop and TV screens are generally filthy and covered in dust and fly poop. Sorry to be so blunt.
I know you can buy the fancy screen cleaners at the store, but who wants to do that when a DIY solution is so incredibly easy (not to mention cheap!)? Here ya go:
Homemade Computer/TV Screen Cleaner
- 1 part plain white vinegar
- 1 part distilled water (make sure you use distilled only!)
- A clean, lint-free cloth. (I like using old, worn-out t-shirts from my rag collection)
Mix the vinegar and water. Store in a labeled container (I use an small canning jar). A spray bottle would also work.
When you are ready to clean your screens, spray a soft, lint-free cloth with the solution, OR dip the cloth into the jar.
DO NOT spray the solution directly on your screen, as it can drip down into places it shouldn’t go.
Gently, wipe the screen with the damp cloth. It may take more than one application, depending on how dirty things are.
Enjoy your shiny clean screen for as long as you can before the flies land on it again or the kiddos attempt more finger art.
Homemade Laptop Cleaner
A Few Notes:
- A 1/2 cup of vinegar and a 1/2 cup of distilled water is a good amount to start with.
- You can store this as long as you need to.
- Why distilled water? Distilled water is free from minerals which leave smudgy water spots on your screens. If you wash your screens with tap water, you’ll probably end up with a dirtier screen than what you started with.
- I use this on our flat screen TV and my laptop. I’ve had no trouble with it. However, please use it at your own risk with your own equipment.
- If you have a black kitchen appliances (like me), this solution is a great way to shine them up. (Because of our hard water, wiping things down with regular soapy water leaves lots of spots).
Enjoy those sparkly screens! 
This post was shared at: Frugal Friday, Better Mom Monday, Anti-Procrastination Tuesday, Handmade Tuesdays, Teach Me Tuesdays, Frugal Days Sustainable Ways, Women Living Well, WFMW, Healthy 2Day Wednesdays, Our Simple Farm, Simple Lives Thursday, Homemaker’s Challenge, Hearts 4 Home, Proverbs 31 Linkup
About Jill Winger
I’m reading this, looking at my screen and thinking…hum, perfect timing. My screen is gross…okay, you have given me the motivation and swift kick I needed.
lol
Thank you so much! I have been staring at fly poop on my computer screen for several months. I now have the ammunition to get rid of it! THANK YOU!
You will ruin your screen like. better to use the things that you use to clean eyeglasse with.
For your flies get a liter coke bottle cause it is clear, take the label off and sit one one each side of the frontdoor and the back door, make sure to take the labels off. the flies for some reason are afraid of the water. It works I do it all the time cause I live in Florida
I’ve been using it for a while on mine and haven’t ruined anything. Although, please exercise caution before using anything on your screens.
Thanks for the great tip. This will help me keep stuff clean and save some money, too
Love and hugs from the ocean shores of California, Heather 
Oh thanks for the tip!! I hate a dirty computer or tv screen but it’s always so hard to get them streak free! Thanks for sharing today. I found your site through Better Mom link up and I’m glad I stopped by. I’m off to go look around your site some more and “get to know you” . Happy Monday!
Thanks for the tip, I shall certainly give it a try.
What a great tip! I had to chuckle a little about the “window screen” comment. We, too, have a dog that is terrified of thunderstorms AND we live near a wildlife reserve where people hunt and our poor dog hates the sound of guns. I feel you pain on the window screens!
Ha! Glad I’m not the only one!
Mine doesn’t like guns, either…
thanks for the tip!
i have a little something for you at my blog http://www.agodlyhomemaker.com/2012/02/oh-my-gosh-i-was-given-award-i-am-so.html
Awwww… Thanks so much! I’m honored!
Fantastic! Thank you so much! My husband will love you {and me} now!!
Please come share this at:
http://www.mychristian-life.blogspot.com
I have been looking for something to keep screens clean. Had no idea about distilled water. Pinning this! Thanks so much! I am a new Fb fan visiting from We are that family. Vicky from Mess For Less
Thanks for the pin Vicky!
Congrats! You are featured on New Nostalgia’s Anti-Procrastination Tuesday. Thanks for linking up!
Whoo hoo! Thank you so much!
PS – I just had to Pin this!!
Thank you Ashley!
Thank you so much for this recipe. It worked beautifully!
I so need this. Been trying to figure out what to use on my screen. I tried a novelty screen wipe and it did nothing. Going to try this tomorrow. Thanks!
Think you’ll like it Crystal!
I would be careful using something acidic like vinegar on your electronics. I just use rubbing alcohol on my phone screen and a slightly damp cloth or a micofiber cloth (if it’s only dusty) for my computer monitor screens. I have a bottle of wipes made for monitor screens if I really feel they are getting too gunky.
While this is a great way to clean your computer screen, I don’t know many people that carry around distilled water and making it on your own is more work than it’s worth. Honestly, just go buy a cleaning product and cloth. It’ll cost you less than 10 bucks and you’ll get your moneys worth out of it.
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