The Purosol Plasma Molecular Screen Cleaner Review

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Have you got a filthy television or computer screen lurking somewhere in the house? I do, or rather, I did.

While my laptop’s screen is usually kept as spotless as possible – because I am obsessive like that – Sarah’s looks like it has been pulling weekend duty in a public library. Those that hate fingerprinted screens might want to cover their eyes…this is a scary, scary sight… 😯

That’s why when I was approached about trying the new Purosol Plasma Molecular Screen Cleaner, I jumped at the chance. Can you blame me?

So why hadn’t I just taken a bottle of Windex to her? laptop screen? Well…

As I am sure most people are aware, it is not safe to use regular glass cleaner on a laptop’s screen, or on LCD and Plasma Screens – really it’s not safe to use an alcohol or ammonia-based glass cleaner on any of the new high definition screens because they are not made of glass – they are made of plastic. Even the screens that are still made of glass usually have a plastic anti-glare film on them. Glass cleaners traditionally add alcohol or ammonia to allow fast drying and to prevent streaking which occurs when the item is wiped dry – usually with a scratchy paper towel. Repeated use of those type cleaners will cause physical damage as well as yellowing to the screen over time.

So a special non-damaging cleaning solution is necessary – one that does not contain harmful or abrasive chemicals. Generally these solutions must be used in conjunction with a high quality microfiber polishing cloth, because this type cloth will polish the screen without leaving streaks or scratches. But I digress…

Included in the review package was an ounce-size spray bottle of Purosol and a 6″ x 5.5″ Purosol Microfiber Cloth. According to the Purosol site, the cloth “is made to Purosol’s specifications using the latest in advanced fabric technology and is woven to release dirt particulates when used with the Purosol line of formulas without damaging the surfaces on which it is applied. Designed to be washable and reused multiple times, Purosol’s Microfiber Cloth is the perfect complement to its revolutionary line of formulas. The product is attractive and combines the softness, resiliency, absorption, and durability to many applications.

So what makes Purosol different than the screen-cleaning stuff you can buy anywhere else? According to their site, “Purosol Plasma is ideal for cleaning all high-end flat screen televisions, computer monitors and personal electronic screens, including plasma, LCD and CRT screens used in television, computer monitor, laptop, PDA, and portable gaming and mp3 systems without harming the screen surface. Unlike solvents and other harsh cleaning agents, Purosol cleans at the molecular level without the use of toxic solvents or detergents.

The list of pros on the Purosol site also goes on to say:

  • PUROSOL Plasma?s unique Enzyme-Based formula cleans better.
    PUROSOL uses a unique process which quickly disrupts the molecular bonds that salt, grime, grease, dirt and mineral deposits use to adhere to surfaces, leaving your screen clean of dust and glare-free.
  • PUROSOL Plasma won’t harm your pc or plasma television nor will it harm you.
    Unlike standard cleaners which contain harmful ingredients that can ultimately damage or destroy your screen, PUROSOL contains no Ammonia, Alcohol, Glycerin or Silicone. It?s Completely Solvent Free. Conventional cleaners also contain ingredients that can cause allergic reactions or other health problems, but PUROSOL is natural and safe.
  • PUROSOL keeps your screens clean longer
    Our unique formula neutralizes static, repels dust and dirt, and keeps your screens clean longer.
  • PUROSOL is completely safe for the environment.
    Non-Toxic, 100% Hazard Free, No CFC’s, Non-Flammable, Completely Biodegradable, Environmentally Safe.
  • PUROSOL Plasma is pure.
    PUROSOL is a Sterile Aqueous Solution. It is Bacteria Free and Exceeds Federal EPA and OSHA Health and Safety Standard

I honestly have no real way to test the majority of the points made, as I am not willing to drink it to see if it is “natural and safe”, and I am not going to do a patch test to check for “allergic reactions or other health problems” – I’ll take their word on all of that.

So here is how I will judge the product: Price and end result.

Purosol costs $7.95 for one ounce, $12.95 for two ounces, and $15.95 for four ounces – so let’s assume you would buy in bulk and get the four ounce bottle for $15.95, which would be $3.99 an ounce. You’ll also need the microfiber cleaning cloth, so add $6.50 to that. So total price, you’re looking at $22.45, assuming you bought the 4oz bottle and one cloth.

Let’s look at some competing products…

Klear Screen, which I have been using for several years, has a High Definition cleaning fluid that is available in an 8oz bottle. According to their site it is non-toxic; anti-static; it cleans, polishes and protects; and it is alcohol and ammonia free. The bottle costs $12.95, or 1.62 an ounce, and a microfiber polishing cloth is an additional $9.95. So total price here is $22.90, but you are getting twice as much cleaning fluid.

Another product I found was the Kensington Screen Guardian Screen Cleaner, and it is just $3.49 for a 4oz bottle…but here is the rub: the picture on the Kensington site shows it being used on an old-school desktop monitor, and in the product’s FAQ it clearly states “The wipes are not for use on anti-glare or notebook computer screens. You should check with your screen manufacturer if you don’t know what type it is.” In other words, this is most likely nothing more than a very expensive bottle of diluted Windex and you will hose your LCD if you use it.

I looked for one more cleaning product to use in this comparison, and I found PixelClean which sells a 4oz bottle of their product for $11.95, which breaks down to $2.99 an ounce. This product says it is uses a “special polymer-based formula to repel dust by eliminating build-up of static electric charge; it is residue free and non-streaking; it does not use alcohol, ammonia, harsh detergents or volatile organic compounds, it is biodegradable and environmentally safe, and it cleans what other cleaners cannot. Many other cleaners use alcohol-based formulas which are ineffective on high-gloss screens.” PixelClean’s microfiber cleaning cloth costs $2.95, so the total price here is $14.94.

So the winner in the price category is actually PixelClean, a product I had never heard of before tonight.

Next up – The End Result

You saw the screen, and unfortunately I could only clean it once. Since this is the Purosol review, it was only fair that Purosol be the one to do the honors. It took two cleanings to get the screen perfectly clear – but I don’t hold that against the Purosol, and neither should you. You saw what Sarah’s screen looked like – nothing was going to do a perfect job on the first swipe. After two sprays on the microfiber cloth and a brisk wipe-down, this is what her screen looked like…not bad at all, but a tiny bit streaky when viewed with a light. Picky – picky, I know.

I didn’t use any more Purosol spray – I just rubbed the screen a bit more with the microfiber cloth, and the end result was a screen as unblemished as the day the laptop had arrived.

Well, I am definitely satisfied with the job Purosol did; its results were exactly as hoped for without the worry of using a harsh and improper cleaning fluid. But its price is the highest in relation to the other seemingly comparable products, and I am not sure if the average consumer will find any selling points between Purosol and the other comparable products compelling enough to pay the extra money. It’s a tough call, Purosol is a great product but it is a bit overpriced in my opinion.

Read the Purosol Plasma FAQ here.

Purosol Plasma Molecular Screen Cleaner and the Purosol Microfiber Cloth are available directly from the manufacturer as well as from other retailers.
MSRP: $7.95 for one ounce, $12.95 for two ounces, $15.95 for four ounces; Microfiber cloths are $6.50
What I Like: Cleans plastic screens without any harsh chemicals; it’s non-toxic, non-flammable, and solvent free
What Needs Improvement: It is overpriced when compared with seemingly similar products

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About the Author

Judie Lipsett Stanford
Judie is the co-owner and Editor-in-Chief of Gear Diary, which she founded in September 2006. She got her start in 1999 writing software reviews at the now-defunct smaller.com; from mid-2000 through 2006, she wrote hardware reviews for and co-edited at The Gadgeteer. A recipient of the Sigma Kappa Colby Award for Technology, Judie has written for or been profiled by nationally known sites and magazines, and she has served on multiple industry hardware and software award panels. She is best known for her device-agnostic approach, enjoyment of exploring tech, gadgets, and gear, and her deep-diving, jargon-free reviews.

5 Comments on "The Purosol Plasma Molecular Screen Cleaner Review"

  1. Very nice!! That worked really well. I haven’t cleaned my screen in months simply because I haven’t found anything effective, and it seems to get just as dirty in about 3 days 😛

  2. Well, forgetting the spray brand used for a moment – I’ve found one of the most effective ways to keep my screen clean is to pass a microfiber cloth over it at least once a week. I usually use a spray once a month. 🙂

    You haven’t cleaned your screen in months? Hopefully your corner of the world isn’t as dusty as mine. 😛

  3. Judie: I’d be interested to see if the screen remains reasonably clean for a period of time, say for 2 or 3 weeks. I know that they claim to “neutralize static, repel dust and dirt, and keeps your screens clean longer”, but does that actually happen? I get tired of cleaning my screen, only to find it dust covered within a few days – and dry wiping that dust is a sure fire method of scratching the screen over time, even with a microfiber cloth!

    Of course, I wouldn’t expect this product to keep the screen clean of fingerprints – I am constantly on to my kids about keeping their fingers off of the computer and tv screens!

  4. mcsouth, Due to a combination of three small dogs, hardwood floors, and living in dry & dusty West Texas, dust is going to accumulate on our screens no matter what any product promises. It is (unfortunately) just a fact of life in our home. 🙁

    Fingerprints and debris on the screen however, all we can do is say “please don’t do that”, right? Sooner or later they will stop. Maybe. 😉

  5. I have that same microfiber cloth, except mine’s blue. 😉 I find that it works much better for removing dust and smudges than other microfiber cloth’s I’ve tried. Oh, and that using the latest in advanced fabric technology thing? Mine’s four years old. :p

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