Here's how to clean your laptop screen without damaging it
Recently, as I was editing an article, I noticed an accent over an “a” that definitely shouldn’t have been there. I backspaced to no avail and even went so far as to make sure my Spanish keyboard wasn’t turned on by mistake. Turns out it was a fleck of dust or dirt, which is how I knew it was time to clean my laptop screen.
As with most valuable tech devices, there is a right and a wrong way to clean your laptop screen. So, here’s the 411 on exactly how to clean your laptop screen so you’re left with a shiny, sparkly, and almost-new-looking screen.
First off, you definitely shouldn't just pull your sweatshirt sleeve down over your hand and wipe away. That’s totally not what I did when dust was conspiring against my latest writing assignment. “I always use a microfiber cloth with a small amount of a very gentle chemical that specifically states it is 'LCD safe,'" says Pedro Serrano, senior technician at New York Computer Repair. "The number one step is to power off the device before you clean the screen with the cloth.” He recommends you clean your screen with gentle circular strokes and wait for it to dry completely before turning the device back on.
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“I would never use any towels or anything abrasive like regular towels, paper towels, or toilet paper,” Serrano adds. Paper towels and tissues can come apart and leave debris behind on the screen.
And while Serrano's advice covers most LCD and LED screens, we also have some extra advice for OLED displays, which come with some newer laptops. Our guidance applies to MacBooks and Windows laptops alike as well smartphones and similar gadgets with displays.
How to clean your laptop screen
1. Shut down your device completely
Serrano added that even though the cleaning solutions may be safe for your screen, absolutely no liquid should be near a running laptop. If it gets on the hardware while it is running, it could break or damage your device.
2. Use a screen-safe microfiber cloth and an LCD-safe solvent
You don’t want to use anything too harsh, according to Serrano. Even something like a glass cleaner (for example, Windex) can leave rainbow-like stains that could be permanent. For OLED displays, which tend to be more sensitive, MSI specifically recommends using a microfiber cloth and 70 percent ethanol solution.
3. Gently wipe your screen in a circular motion and leave it to dry completely before turning it back on
Serrano stressed that you should use a very small amount of the cleaning solution and let it dry before you return to using your device so that you protect it from any potential damage.
What to avoid when cleaning your laptop screen
Always avoid the following cleaning products:
Paper towels, toilet paper, or tissues
Regular towels or cloth fabric (such as your own shirt sleeve)
Harsh cleaning chemicals with ammonia or bleach
Excessive amounts of liquid that could leave drips behind
Window cleaner
Dish soap (or soap of any kind)
Makeup remover
Finally, here are some of our tech reporters' favorite products for cleaning laptop screens safely:
Han Schneider is a journalist who wants to talk about feeling better and what can help us get there. Whether that's product reviews and gift guides for the ADHD brain, deep dives into wellness trends that are actually worth their salt, or perseverating on the state of queer swimwear. Schneider has covered products and gift guides for Elite Daily, Refinery29, Allure, Best Products, Well + Good, and more. Currently, she serves as a lifestyle and wellbeing writer for hire, focusing on topics related to health, fitness, and overall wellbeing.
