Computer monitors pick up dirt and grime just like everything else, and this is particularly true for laptop screens. Unlike other gadgets, you can't just use disinfectant wipes to clean down a monitor or laptop screen. More often than not, these screens have a protective layer of film that will wear away if you use harsh chemicals. Now that a lot of us are working from home and are worried more about cleanliness, here's how you can safely clean your computer monitor or laptop screen.

Products used in this guide

How to properly clean your your laptop screen

You have to be particularly careful when cleaning a laptop screen, and need to stay away from using harsh chemicals to clean one. Most screens come with a thin outer film that can easily wear away when you use disinfectant wipes like Clorox or Lysol, so avoid using those products to clean your laptop. If you see a glossy finish on your laptop screen, do not use any cleaning agent on the display.

Generally, you should keep things as basic as possible. All it takes to clean a screen is a microfiber cloth. Start cleaning gently with the cloth and make sure you don't put too much pressure on the screen. If there's a lot of grime, you can dip the microfiber cloth in warm or distilled water. If you're using water or distilled water, make sure you soak just a portion of the microfiber cloth in it and not the entire thing.

The key here is to clean the surface of the screen without damaging it. Avoid using an old T-shirt to clean your laptop screen because the fibers usually leave lint or may even scratch the surface of the screen. Make sure you also power off the laptop and don't have it plugged in when you start cleaning.

Again, while the goal here is to clean the screen, you have to take particular care not to damage it. With laptops, you're mostly dealing with fingerprint smudge and dust buildup, and using a microfiber cloth is more than enough to get the job done.

How to properly clean your computer monitor

You're going to use the same method to clean your computer monitor. Just take a dry microfiber cloth and gently clean the surface of the monitor. You should avoid using cotton or other common fabrics, as they tend to leave lint on the monitor, and in some cases they may even scratch the surface.

If there's a lot of grime, dip a portion of the microfiber cloth in warm water or distilled water and use that to clean the screen. Take care to not put too much water, because there's a good chance that the water could run down the bottom of the screen. Once you finish cleaning, just let the monitor air dry before switching it on again.

How to disinfect your laptop screen or computer monitor

Unlike a mouse or keyboard, you can't just use a Clorox or Lysol wipe to clean your screen. If you're worried about germs, you should get a screen protector for your laptop screen (opens in new tab). This way, you add a physical layer of protection, and it serves as a barrier against germs and bacteria. J

ust make sure you measure your monitor correctly (you have to measure it diagonally) and make sure you get the right size. It's easy to install a screen protector, and you can use a disinfectant wipe like Clorox to clean it. And even if something untoward occurs, it is just a matter of switching out the screen protector.

As for disinfecting a monitor, the best option is to use distilled water on a microfiber cloth to wipe it down. You could get a screen protector for your monitor as well (opens in new tab) if you want to be extra sure, but in most cases using distilled water with a microfiber cloth is more than enough to get the job done.

Just use the basics

For most monitors and laptop screens, a gentle clean with a microfiber cloth is more than adequate. But if you're worried about germs and want to disinfect the screen, a better option would be to get a screen protector that adds a physical layer of protection. A screen protector ensures germs don't make it onto the screen in the first place, and you can easily disinfectant the screen protector with the likes of Clorox or Lysol.

3M Microfiber Lens Cleaning Cloth 5-Pack

The best microfiber cloth around
3M's microfiber cloths are the best for cleaning fragile surfaces like screens. They don't leave lint behind or scratch surfaces, and are ideal for ensuring your monitor stays clean. And for just $13 for a 5-pack, you're getting a lot of value here.

Supershieldz Screen Protector (3-Pack)

Add a physical layer of protection
You should not use any harsh chemicals to clean your monitor or laptop screen, but if you're worried about germs, adding a screen protector will provide a physical layer of protection. You can clean most screen protectors with Clorox or Lysol, and even if they get damaged a few months down the line it's easy to switch them out.