Keeping your touchscreen POS clean is the key to keeping it working properly. They are exposed to booze, lemon juice, grease, grime, dirt, sweat, and many others elements throughout the day. However, proper maintenance of a touchscreen is not as simple as it seems. Improper cleaning could cause the machine to malfunction, which can be costly to your business. Here are the essential steps to cleaning your touchscreen POS.
1. Read the touchscreen manual
Before cleaning your touchscreen POS, be sure to read any and all information that may have been provided to you by your VAR or hardware manufacturer about caring for the device. Follow any suggestions before moving on to step 2.
2. Turn off all components
Though many touchscreen POS systems come with a “cleaning mode” in the POS software, it is a good idea to turn off the computer and the monitor of your touchscreen POS first. One reason for this is the screen remains lit while in “cleaning mode,” which may cause you to miss spots while cleaning the screen. Another reason for this is even though it is a specific “cleaning mode,” there is still electricity running through the touchscreen POS. If you are using anything moist to clean the screen, exposing a device with electricity running through it to moisture puts the device at risk of damage.
3. Use a dry cloth first
Now that the touchscreen POS is off, wipe the display gently with a dry cloth that is soft and lint-free. A microfiber cloth is the best option for this. Avoid using paper towels or rags because they can spread lint all over your screen, and they have an abrasive texture that could damage the screen’s surface. If your screen needs further cleaning after this step, move on to step 4.
4. Use distilled water or touch screen cleaner
If a dry cloth wasn’t enough to remove the fingerprints, grime, or dirt from the touchscreen POS, use a soft, lint-free, or microfiber cloth that is lightly dampened with distilled water. Never use any chemicals such as window cleaner on your touchscreen POS. This can cause damage to the surface layer of the screen. You may also use touchscreen cleaning kits that can be purchased at an electronics store, which come with a solution specific for cleaning touchscreens. Just spray a little bit of the solution on the cloths that come in the kit and gently wipe the screen until it is clean. NEVER spray anything directly on the screen! Spray on the cloth first.
5. Don’t forget to dry
Whether using distilled water or a touch screen cleaning kit, always remember to give the screen one last wipe down with a soft, lint-free, or microfiber cloth. Make sure the screen is completely dry before turning on your touchscreen POS.
Touchscreen POS is an investment you’ve made for your business, and like all investments, they need to be protected. Keeping your screens clean protects them from damage or malfunction, detriments that could cost your business money to repair or replace. Regular maintenance of your touchscreen POS will lead to longer-lasting hardware so your business can continue to thrive.
