This Common DIY Cleaner Could Damage Electronics

From fingerprints to stray dog hairs (or is that just my dog?), your electronic screens can get grimy. As you tidy, you might be tempted to use your usual DIY cleaner on them, but one common ingredient in those cleaners is actually bad for your screens.

Vinegar should not be used to clean electronics, as it can cause serious damage to screens.

Now, we know. Vinegar can clean just about anything, but not everything. It’s acidic, and as such, it can cause corrosion. That’s typically why most DIY cleaners recommend cutting it with water, dish soap, or some other liquid. Regardless of what you add to your vinegar, that acidic base can break down protective and anti-glare coatings on your phones and televisions.

Ultimately, the reason vinegar is such a great cleaner is the very reason you don’t need to use it on your screens. The compound relies on acetic acid to break down grease and grime and get surfaces sparkling. But you don’t want to break down those screen coating, even if it will leave your television seemingly spotless.

The next time you notice fingerprints on your laptop, desktop, or television screen, you might want to skip the DIY cleaner and opt for an actual screen cleaner.