How to clean a computer screen
Safely remove dust, fingerprints, and smudges from laptop and monitor screens without scratching delicate anti-glare coatings or causing liquid intrusion.
This guide shows how to clean a computer screen in 5-10 minutes. Start with power off and disconnect the monitor; follow the safety notes and step checkpoints below.
Visual step map
See the full sequence before you start, then check off each step as you go.
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Materials and cost planner
Select the items you plan to buy, adjust any estimated price, and calculate the selected total.
Editable rough U.S. retail estimates. Estimated all listed: $40.00. Prices are planning estimates, not quotes — tax, store, brand, size and quantity will change them.
Time and finish planner
Estimate active working time from the number of steps in this guide.
Room surface area calculator
Estimate the wall, ceiling and floor area of a room for planning cleaning time and supplies.
Subtract large fixtures or appliances that will not be cleaned. Never mix cleaning chemicals unless the manufacturer explicitly says it is safe.
- Read the tools, materials, safety notes, and steps below for free.
- Tap See 20-second demo if you want to understand it first.
- Tap Start Camera Coach when you want hands-free help, or Voice-only if you do not want to use the camera.
- Allow camera and microphone. Point your phone at the work; the coach watches your progress and tells you the next step.
🧰 Required Tools & Equipment
- ✓ 2 Microfiber cloths (clean and lint-free)
- ✓ Soft-bristle detailing brush
- ✓ Handheld rubber air blower
📦 Materials & Supplies
- ✓ Distilled water
- ✓ Ammonia-free, alcohol-free screen cleaner
⚠️ Safety Checkpoints & Warnings
- • Always turn off and unplug device before applying any moisture to avoid electrical shorts and display pixel damage.
- • Never spray liquid directly onto the screen; moisture can run down inside the bottom bezel and ruin the panel.
- • Never use paper towels, facial tissues, or shirts, which contain abrasive wood fibers that scratch display coatings.
📋 Step-by-Step Guide (5 Steps)
Power Off and Disconnect the Monitor
Shut down the computer or monitor completely and unplug the power cable. Let the screen cool down to room temperature so cleaning fluid does not evaporate instantly and leave streaks. A black, unlit screen also makes smudges and dust much easier to see under room lighting.
- • Monitor power indicator LED is fully dark
- • Display panel is pitch black and cool to the touch
- • Cleaning while the screen is on and hot, causing liquid to bake into stubborn streak marks
Remove Loose Dust and Particles
Use an air blower bulb or lightly sweep a soft-bristle brush across the display to clear loose grit. Work from the top edge downward to let dust fall away from the screen. Never rub abrasive dust grains across the glass with a cloth, as hard particles will scratch the surface.
- • No visible loose dust specks or pet hair sitting along the bottom bezel groove
- • Immediately rubbing a dry cloth over dusty glass, dragging grit across the polarizing film
Dampen the Microfiber Cloth
Fold a clean microfiber cloth into a flat palm-sized pad. Lightly mist 1 to 2 sprays of screen cleaner or distilled water onto the cloth—never directly onto the display. The cloth should feel slightly damp to the touch, not saturated or dripping.
- • Cloth has a faint damp sheen on one quadrant with no water droplets squeezing out when pressed
- • Spraying cleaner directly onto the monitor surface
- • Over-soaking the cloth so liquid pools along edges
Wipe the Screen with Gentle Linear Passes
Place the damp cloth flat against the screen and wipe in broad, horizontal or vertical overlapping strokes. Use minimal pressure—let the microfiber fibers pick up the oils rather than scrubbing hard. Avoid aggressive circular scrubbing in isolated spots, which can damage LCD subpixels.
- • Oily finger smudges disappear leaving an even, quickly-evaporating thin film of moisture
- • Pressing hard enough to cause liquid crystal pooling ripples on the display
Buff Dry with a Secondary Cloth
Take the second, completely dry microfiber cloth and immediately follow behind the damp pass. Gently buff the surface in straight strokes to eliminate any residual haze, moisture, or streaks before they dry naturally. Continue until the glass presents a uniform, reflection-free finish.
- • Panel is totally dry with no hazing, cloudy patches, or wipe lines
- • Allowing moisture to air-dry, which creates mineral lines and water spots
Credit: inspired by an original tutorial by Best Buy — watch the original on YouTube.
Don’t have everything?
- No Screen cleaner? 100% distilled water (safe for all matte and glossy LCD/OLED coatings)
- No Air blower bulb? Soft clean cosmetic brush to dislodge dust without touching screen with bare fingers