How to Clean a Laptop Screen

How to Clean a Laptop Screen

1. Unplug Your Laptop

   Before you do any cleaning—even simple dusting—make sure to always turn off your device and unplug it from its power source. This should be done for safety, but also because a dark screen will help you see dust and grime more easily.

2. Wipe Away Dust

   Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe away dust and as many smudges as possible. The fibers in microfiber cloths have more surface area than cotton cloths to trap dust and grime. Microfiber is also lint-free, so you won't be leaving any debris behind.

   Fold the microfiber cloth into a square. Start at one corner of the screen and work down the screen, lightly overlapping each line as you dust. If the screen is exceptionally dusty, move to a clean area of the microfiber cloth as you move across the screen. Do not use excessive pressure or scrub in circles which could leave scratches.

   Warning

   Never use a paper towel or newsprint to clean a laptop screen. They are too coarse and can scratch the screen, especially a nonglass-covered LCD screen.

3. Remove Smudges and Grime

   For smudges, bits of food, or other messes left on the screen after dusting, you may need a bit of moisture and a cleaning solution to loosen dried-on grime. As always, turn off your laptop and disconnect it from its power source before using any wet cleaning process.

   Dip a new or very clean non-abrasive sponge or a microfiber cloth in distilled water and wring until nearly dry. There should be no water dripping, and if so, be sure to protect the keyboard with a bit of plastic wrap to capture any drips.

   Lightly wipe the screen, starting at the top and working toward the bottom. Stay away from any ports to prevent moisture from damaging the laptop. Dry the screen with a microfiber cloth.

   Tip

   Never use water directly from the tap. The minerals contained in unfiltered water can permanently scratch laptop screens.

4. Remove Sticky Messes

   If plain water didn't remove every problem (oily smears or sticker residue), you can move on to a commercial LCD cleaner or a homemade cleaner. It is very important to read product labels, as there are ingredients that can permanently damage laptop screens.

   Never use commercial window cleaners or products that contain these chemicals to clean a laptop screen:

   • Acetone
   • Ammonia
   • Ethyl acid
   • Ethyl alcohol
   • Methyl alcohol
   • Methyl chloride
   • Toluene

   To make a homemade screen cleaner, mix one of these solutions in a small spray bottle:

   • One part distilled water and one part isopropyl alcohol
   • One part distilled water and one part distilled white vinegar

   Again, turn off and unplug the laptop from the power source, and protect the keyboard with a bit of plastic wrap to prevent any moisture from seeping in.

   Whether you are using a commercial cleaner or a homemade solution, lightly spray a microfiber cloth with the product. Never spray any type of cleaner directly on a laptop screen. Lightly rub the areas that are not clean, moving to a clean part of the cloth as the mess is transferred to the cloth. Allow the screen to air-dry thoroughly before closing or powering up the laptop.

5. Disinfecting a Laptop Screen

   Glass-protected LCD screens, like those on many Apple products, can be sanitized with a disinfecting wipe to remove bacteria.

   Warning

   Always check the manufacturer's recommendations before using a wipe, and do not use a disinfecting wipe on an unprotected LCD screen.

   If your screen is protected by glass, unplug the device and wring the disinfecting wipe until it is nearly dry and lightly wipe down the screen. Allow the screen to air-dry before powering on.

6. Don't Forget the Rest of the Laptop

   Just like your laptop screen, it's a good idea to clean the keyboard and peripherals regularly to clean away crumbs, dust, and oils from our hands.

Tips to Keep Your Laptop Screen Clean Longer

• Keep your fingers away from the screen of your laptop. No touching!
• Dust loves to settle on laptop screens. Have a microfiber cloth standing by and easily accessible to wipe the screen off daily.