What should I use to clean a laptop screen?

A microfiber cloth with distilled water. For stubborn smudges, a screen-safe cleaner diluted 50/50 with water.

How often should I clean my laptop screen?

Weekly for regular use. More often if you touch the screen frequently or use it in dusty environments.

Apple and most manufacturers now say 70% isopropyl alcohol is safe for occasional use on glass screens. Avoid on matte/coated screens.

Too much liquid, using tap water instead of distilled, or cleaning in circles. Use a barely damp cloth in straight strokes.

Electronics

Your laptop screen need regular cleaning to perform well and last longer. Here's the safe way to do it without damaging sensitive components.

1
Turn off and unplug the laptop
Power off the laptop and unplug it. A dark screen makes smudges and dust visible and prevents accidental inputs.
2
Dry wipe first
Gently wipe the screen with a dry microfiber cloth in one direction (not circles) to remove dust and loose particles.
3
Dampen the cloth
Lightly dampen the microfiber cloth with distilled water (or a very diluted Streak-Free Glass Cleaner). The cloth should be barely damp, not wet.
4
Wipe the screen
Gently wipe the screen in long, horizontal strokes from top to bottom. Don't press hard -- let the cloth do the work.

TIPNever spray liquid directly on a laptop screen. Always spray onto the cloth first.
TIPUse distilled water instead of tap water to avoid mineral deposits and streaks.
TIPClean your laptop screen weekly to prevent oil buildup that becomes harder to remove over time.

XUsing paper towels, which leave lint and micro-scratches on the screen coating.
XSpraying cleaner directly on the screen, which can drip into the bezel and damage internal components.
XUsing household glass cleaner (Windex) on laptop screens, which strips the anti-reflective coating.

No. Ammonia-based cleaners strip the anti-reflective and oleophobic coatings on modern screens.