DIY stores like b&q will have it in the decorating section near white spirit. Camping shops might stock it too.
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So do you dilute it in order to clean a computer monitor screen? Or just neat on a soft cloth?
Plenty of advice online…
I couldn’t see anything about cleaning computer equipment. Hoping Bruce can explain his method as I don’t want to ruin the monitor screen.
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I just read this on a computer forum in relation to cleaning monitors:
“Methylated spirit” is a nasty mixture of ethanol, methanol,
blue dye and pyridine. Do NOT use this.
Iso is isopropanol.
Paper towels and paper tissues should not be used because most of them will cause scratches."
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Happy days eh? Used it in my trangia for cooking and making a cuppa whilst out walking, and for some experiments with my chemistry set as a kid.
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FWIW we use Amberclens
AMBERCLENS Datasheet Catalogue page: CPCC/1770 See all Technical Docs Product Overview This unique, multi-purpose, anti-static foaming cleaner, quickly removes all kinds of dirt, grease, stains and contamination. Ideal for business machines, office equipment, computers, cabinets, brown and white goods
I would just use a slightly damp cloth with perhaps the tiniest amount of detergent for cleaning a TV /monitor screen.
The Metho is for cleaning electrical contacts and switches not general cleaning, as Azz said it evaporates fairly rapidly. Personally I find cotton buds an excellent way to apply it to small surfaces because you can apply some pressure. It is also handy for degreasing surfaces where you might be gluing something for example.
In the far off days when more people smoked I would also use lighter fluid but a word of caution about any of these methods. A friend, or rather work colleague, used lighter fluid to clean the selector turret on his TV (the clicky ones that used to change channel) but didn’t allow sufficient time for it to dry. Turned on the TV, changed channel and the TV immediately caught fire!
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I don’t know why you say “nasty mixture” it is 99% alcohol and while I agree about not using it for general cleaning (and I would say the same about isopropanol) it certainly has its place. I had forgotten that the UK adds a dye because it is clear here but the taste additive is <1% purely to stop it attracting the tax on alcohol.
Thanks for clarifying Bruce. “detergent” is an interesting word. It makes me think of washing powder.
Washing up liquid, soap what ever you like, just to remove greasy finger marks but certainly not a “wet” cloth.
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I would personally avoid methylated spirit as you never know what additives they add. Isopropyl alcohol is best for electronic equipment imo.
As Bruce mentioned, I too use a damp lint-free cloth with a little bit of washing up liquid. Sometimes you don’t even need that, and a dry microfibre cloth will be enough (the sort you use for iPad screens).
I was quoting what someone else wrote on a computing forum.
I have been using glasses wipes to clean the monitors recently - I just now had a look at the back of the packet and it says… Isopropyl, alcohol, water and fragrance are the ingredients!
You do, it says on the bottle.
I wouldn’t risk it myself Bruce.
This might be a good read for anyone interested:
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Is this like surgical spirit?
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It is.