Always start by following your computer manufacturer's cleaning advice, especially if your device is still under warranty. The answer is complicated, as there are hundreds of laptop manufacturers and even more when it comes to monitors - and they all have their own safe cleaning recommendations. What is the best thing to clean a laptop screen with? Disinfecting takes longer than cleaning or sanitizing. Others disinfect, which actually 'kills germs on surfaces or objects' and 'further lowers the risk of spreading infection' overall. But to actually disinfect, you'll need a cleaning product.Ī note on the various degrees of cleaning: Some products may only clean or sanitize a screen, which the CDC defines as ' the number of germs on surfaces or objects to a safe level,' based on how they work, the ingredients they contain and the length of time they remain on the surface. Windows are different surfaces from computer screens and with different cleaning needs.' She explains that using a clean, dry microfiber cloth is the best and safest way to remove streaks or smudges and that just plain wiping also removes bacteria. To find out what cleaning products and supplies are safest to use, we checked in with Carolyn Forté, the Executive Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab.įorté says, ' If there's one thing you should avoid entirely, it's regular glass cleaner that you'd find in the cleaning aisle. Using the wrong liquid can cause damage, and using too much liquid can cause your laptop or monitor to short out altogether. Some cleaners or cloths are too abrasive.

Finally, germs are always an issue - it's just good practice to keep frequently used surfaces sanitary.Ĭleaning a screen requires a delicate touch. Even if you don't have a touchscreen model, fingerprints happen and become especially visible when the screen is black. Greasy fingerprints are another offender. Getting rid of dust is a major concern: As it silently and continuously builds up, it may distort the color or brightness of your screen. Whether it's the monitor in your cubicle at work or a laptop on the standing desk in your home office, computer screens get grimy.

Wipe computer clean