How to clean your laptop screen

Don’t be mean to your tech, clean your screen to view the best!
By Truth Headlam  on 
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Close-up of unrecognizable woman in kitchen cleaning laptop screen with disinfectant wipe
Close-up of unrecognizable woman in kitchen cleaning laptop screen with disinfectant wipe Credit: Grace Carry via Getty Images

Cleaning your laptop screen is more important than you might think. Besides getting dirty from fingerprints, your screen can also collect dust and bacteria fairly quickly, especially if you travel with it!

Don’t worry about figuring out how to clean your laptop screen. We’ve got you covered.

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6 ways to clean your laptop screen 

  1. Disinfecting wipes can be used with laptops with glass screens like MacBooks.

  2. Microfiber cloths are great for all computer types, but you should still be gentle.

  3. LCD-safe cleaners, in combination with a microfiber cloth, are great for laptops that don’t have a glass screen.

  4. Distilled water, and don’t forget the microfiber cloth.

  5. Diluted white vinegar

  6. Rubbing alcohol, but only for laptops that don’t have glass screens

No matter what method you use to clean your laptop screen, here are some products to avoid.

  • Paper towels

  • Household cleaners (i.e. Window cleaner, kitchen cleaner)

  • Soap (including dish soap, hand soap, and bar soap)

  • Makeup remover

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Truth Headlam
Truth Headlam
Tech & Culture Fellow

Truth Headlam is a journalist who enjoys following the money and diverse storytelling. She reports on tech and culture for Mashable. You can find her sharing her favorite articles on Instagram @truthheadlam.


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