Laptop screens are delicate and can easily be damaged, so it is important to follow manufacturer guidelines and use caution when cleaning them.

By Ricky OchsPublishedShareTweetEmail

Windows 10 laptops are built to be mobile, which means that a dirty screen is inevitable. A dirty laptop screen can become a source of frustration with those fingerprints, mystery spots, and smears a distraction. Unfortunately, there isn’t a magical solution to this problem and from time to time, the laptop screen will need to be cleaned. However, laptop screens are easily damaged, so it is important to follow manufacturer guidelines when cleaning them.

Cleaning a laptop screen is a delicate procedure, so a gentle touch is needed when wiping down the screen. All laptop manufacturers recommend using a soft cloth when cleaning the screen, most opt for a microfiber cloth to avoid damage. Before starting the cleaning process, it is best to turn off the laptop, disconnect the power cord, remove the batteries, and disconnect any external devices. As a safety precaution, disposable gloves should also be worn during the cleaning process.

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According to HP, one of the keys to safely cleaning your laptop screen is choosing the right cloth or material. Common household materials, such as rags and paper towels, can cause damage to the screen. The best material to use when cleaning the laptop screen is a microfiber cloth. For non-LCD screens, a few drops of rubbing alcohol can be used on the microfiber cloth, but do not use alcohol when cleaning an LCD screen. It is important to check with the manufacturer to discover what cleaning products are safe to use on a specific laptop screen. Under no circumstance should any cleaning product be directly applied to the screen. Instead, the rubbing alcohol or other cleaning product should be dabbed onto the microfiber cloth first.

Manufacturer Screen Cleaning Recommendations

When the microfiber cloth and choice of cleaner have been gathered, there are proper techniques that should be used to clean the laptop screen. After dabbing the microfiber cloth with rubbing alcohol or another cleaning solution, start in the center of the laptop screen and gently wipe in a circular motion. Gently continue wiping in a circular motion until the surface is free from dust and dirt. Keep in mind not to directly apply the cleaning solution to the laptop screen and avoid using the moist section of the cloth on the corners of the screen. If a tough stain is encountered, it is better to find a stronger cleaning solution than to rub the screen harder.

Dell also says that cleaning liquids should never be directly poured or sprayed on the laptop display screen and that a microfiber cloth is used. Lightly moisten the microfiber cloth with a cleaning solution, Dell recommends a mixture of 70-percent isopropyl alcohol and 30-percent water. Gently wipe the cloth in one direction starting from the top of the screen and work to the bottom. After the screen is cleaned, make sure the surface is completely air-dried.

Samsung recommends using a microfiber cloth as well. Using a dry microfiber cloth, gently wipe down the laptop screen, but don’t press too hard. Using only water or a mixture of 50-percent distilled water and 50-percent white vinegar, gently wipe the screen, remembering not to press too hard. Again, allow the screen to dry before firing up the laptop for use. Alternatively, Samsung also suggests compressed air as another way to remove dust from a laptop screen.

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Source: HP, Dell, Samsung

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Ricky Ochs is a writer and journalist who is a huge fan of horror movies and old-school comic books. He is based in Loveland, Colorado where he worked for a newspaper for two decades and was also a content writer for a large marketing company. He holds a BA in journalism from Colorado State University with an English minor. It should be quite obvious that writing is his passion. In his free time, Ricky enjoys riding his mountain bike and hiking in the beautiful Rocky Mountains and listening to death metal.