Cleaning your car’s touch screen is important to keep it looking new. Not only will a clean screen make it look nicer, but it will also make it easier to use.
So what’s the secret, and how should you effectively clean your car touch screen? Let’s find out.
To clean a car touch screen:
1. Make sure the screen is turned off.
2. Use a dry, non-abrasive microfiber cloth to gently wipe the screen in a circular motion from top to bottom.
3. Avoid using paper towels or old rags, as they can scratch the screen.
For tough dirt or build up, spray a small amount of ammonia and alcohol-free screen cleaning solution on the microfiber cloth before wiping. Never use ordinary household cleaners as they can damage the screen.
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Tip: If you do not want to play with water and mix it with vinegar, an excellent and cheap solution for cleaning car touch screens is using LA’s Totally Awesome Glass & Multi-Surface Cleaner with Vinegar, which you can find in any Dollar Tree store.
One bottle costs just over a dollar, so it is cheap and makes the car screens and windows clean in no time. I have loved it since I used it for the first time, no marks left, no scratches, and a nice smell.
You do not need to spend $10 or $15 for some “Excellent cleaning formula”, so if you want to clean the screen, check it out in your nearest Dollar General store.
You can also use the above link, but you cannot buy less than 12 bottles online.
In this article, I will detail how to clean your car’s touch screen safely and effectively.
How to Clean Your Car Touch Screen?
If you want to keep the car screen in good condition for a long time, you must take care of it and clean it regularly.
Most car screens are made from TFT LCD (Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Display), which is a similar composition to the laptop computer screen, so their cleaning is not difficult.
Still, there are some tricks you better follow if you do not want to replace the screen often.
Below are a few key steps to clean your touch screen:
#1. Turn the Car Radio or Infotainment System Off.
You don’t want to interfere with any pixels while they’re still firing.
Turning off the screen will also allow you to see dirt, dust, and grime better because you’re working with a dark surface.
#2. Take Microfiber Cloth.
These soft, dry cloths are the same type of cloth you would use to clean your smartphone, eyeglasses or tablet.
They’re perfect for LCD screens in cars because they’re non-abrasive. In addition, a high-quality microfiber cloth will work efficiently when dry to clean most screen dirt and dust.
#3. Spray a Water on the Microfiber Cloth.
You can also use distilled water or vinegar and water mixture.
The best solution is to mix 1 part vinegar with two parts water. This will help remove any marks, like fingerprints.
#4. Wipe the Screen With a Microfiber.
Gently wipe the screen with the microfiber cloth from top to bottom using a circular motion.
Try not to press too hard, as this can damage your LCD screen. Instead, use the microfiber cloth to remove any remaining smudgy oils.
You do not have to use it often, but if your screen is exceptionally greasy or if soda splatter or other deposits have formed on the screen, mix a little bit of distilled white household vinegar into your water but do not add more than half vinegar to the water.
The acidity of vinegar can break down the grease, sugars, and protein of whatever you need to clean, making it easy to remove.
What to Avoid When Cleaning a Car Touch Screen?
Although cleaning the screen seems like a straightforward task, there are a few things you should avoid:
#1. Don’t wipe with a lot of pressure. This will leave scratches on the screen.
#2. Don’t use anything but microfiber. The microfiber attracts and removes unwanted oils and dust, whereas other products spread them around.
#3. Do not wipe or clean the touch screen with facial tissues or paper towels, as these can scratch the surface.
Even soft-looking towels can damage the delicate screen surface.
Also, do not use any old cotton rags because these can scratch your screen. These materials are highly abrasive, and neither will be particularly good at removing dirt from the screen’s surface.
If you use one of these, your monitor will still be dirty, and you risk scratching or leaving behind lint particles.
#4. Don’t spray your screen directly. Instead, you should spray on the cloth.
#5. Don’t push too hard or try to pick stuck-on debris off with your fingernail because you may end up damaging the touchscreen.
#6. Avoid getting moisture in any ports on the car’s dashboard, and don’t let any cleaner or water sit on the radio screen or satellite navigation screen for too long.
#7. Do not use alcohol-based ingredients. Using an alcohol-based cleaner will damage the protective coating on most car screens.
How to Protect the Car Touch Screen From Getting Dirty?
There are a few things you can do to prevent your car touch screen from getting dirty:
#1. Use a Screen Protector.
This is a transparent elastic film that you can apply to your screen. It will help to protect the screen from fingerprints, dirt, and scratches.
Using the screen protector does not mean you can stop cleaning it, but at least there will be no direct contact of dirt with the screen surface.
Remember, replacing the screen protector is always easier and cheaper than replacing a scratched radio screen.
#2. Clean the Screen Regularly With a Microfiber Cloth.
Cleaning frequency depends on the usage, but you should clean the car interior, including the screen, at least once a month.
This is because of the humidity that builds up on the upholstery and windows and all dust coming into the car through the ventilation system or opened windows.
I clean my car screen with the rest of the car every week.
#3. Avoid Touching the Screen With Dirty or Greasy Hands.
Avoiding touching the screen is next to impossible since you have to do it to operate the stereo, but instead of using fingers, you can use a stylus pen (link to Amazon).
#3. Avoid Touching the Screen With Dirty or Greasy Hands.
Drinks or food pieces can not only make the screen dirty, but drinks, when dropped over the car stereo, can get inside and cause severe damage.
Conclusion
Cleaning the car touch screen is not difficult, but you need to be careful and use only recommended materials.
You should avoid using paper towels, old cotton rags, or other abrasive materials, as these can scratch the screen’s surface. Also, do not use alcohol-based cleaners as these will damage the protective coating on most car screens.
Clean off your screen regularly with a microfiber cloth to prevent it from getting dirty, and you will notice a big difference. Also, use a high-class screen protector to protect the car screen from getting dirty.
FAQ
What should I use to clean my car’s touch screen?
A microfiber cloth is the best option as it is non-abrasive and gentle on the screen. Avoid using paper towels or old rags, as they can scratch the screen.
Can I use household cleaners on my car touch screen?
Ordinary household cleaners are not recommended as they contain alcohol or ammonia, which can damage the screen. Use an ammonia and alcohol-free screen cleaning solution instead.
What to do if a touch screen is still dirty after cleaning it?
Try using a small amount of screen cleaning solution on a microfiber cloth to remove any remaining dirt or build up.
If that does not help, you may need to take your car to a professional car detailer to clean the screen.
The touch screen is not responding after cleaning it. What should I do?
Make sure the screen is completely dry before turning it on. If the problem persists, it may be a technical issue, and it’s better to take the car to a professional.
Can I use the same microfiber cloth for cleaning touch screen and other parts of the car?
It’s best to use separate microfiber cloths for different parts of the car, as using the same cloth can cause cross-contamination of dirt and grime, which can damage the screen.