I just got an LCD 19" monitor and been hearing differant stories on how to clean it. Is it alright just to use plain warm water and a soft cloth to clean off the monitor?

yes, the cloth by itself should actually do. if it is healy soild then apply a little water.

Depending on the quality of your water, you might consider deionized or distilled water. I've also read that some natural fabrics (ie cotton) may harm the surface. It's never happened to me though, but anyways, a micro-fiber cloth does work the best. No streaks!

Get a bottle of LCD cleaner, it's the best way, doesn't leave a mark. You can get a bottle in most computer stores for about 15 bucks.

Liquid Shadow said:
I have to disagree with that advice. It's like the old days of vinyl records, and even CDs and DVDs (although they also have sometimes vulnerable labeling to worry about with spray-on mist and splashes).

Some cleaners did more damage than good. There is no regulation on the chemicals they put in those bottles.

Some cleaners are perfectly fine, while others may contain solvents damaging to the particular plastic coating on your display. Vendors use different types and grades of plastic to protect their displays and they react differently to different chemicals.

Warm water used to dampen a soft non-abrasive clean cloth is fine. Watch out that any stitching does not contact the display.

Blow off as much dust as you can before applying any material to the display. If on the display you have concentrations of some contaminant, gently spot clean them first and then generally clean the display. Otherwise, the dust and contaminants can be dragged around and damage a much larger area of the display.

Windex.
It cuts through the grime, and doesn't seem to effect anything.
Now you don't want to have a lot of water based clenser running down your LCD and into the bottom, so spray it on your cloth; preferably a lint free one, and wipe GENTLY.
Pressure can cause LCD cracking.

Gerritt