This article is the archived version of a report that appeared in May 2009 Consumer Reports Magazine.

You wanted to know . . .

How should I clean a laptop display?

Cliff Spradlin
Seattle, WA

To clean a glossy or matte display or a monitor, use a soft cotton cloth. For dust, wipe the screen gently. To clean fingerprints or other schmutz off a screen with an antireflective coating, place a small drop of dish liquid on a moist soft cloth and gently remove the dirt. Wipe off soap residue with a wet soft cloth. If the screen doesn't have an antireflective coating, you can use a glass cleaner. Don¹t let water or cleaner drip on the keyboard or seep behind the display's frame.

Where should I apply water sealant on wooden deck boards?

S.R. Rowland
Woodbridge, VA

Apply the sealant to the top and all edges and sides you can reach. Sealing the top is critical because it gets the greatest weather exposure and the most foot traffic. To minimize cracks or prevent them from forming, apply a high-quality sealant when the boards are installed and thereafter as the manufacturer indicates or when the appearance has degraded.

You advise against using a debit card for online purchases. Why?

Ronya Gordon
Philadelphia, PA

When you pay with a debit card, the money leaves your bank account right away, giving you less leverage if a problem such as fraud arises. You're fighting over your money, not the bank's, and you could bounce checks until the issue is resolved. With a credit card, the issuer will work to resolve the matter. In the meantime, you don¹t have to pay the disputed amount, and your liability for fraudulent charges will usually be less than it is for those on a debit card.

Send your questions to www.ConsumerReports.org/askourexperts.