Download Article
The safest & easiest ways to clean and disinfect a touch screen
Download Article
Smudges all over your gadget's touchscreen? Maybe the fingerprint trail for the latest, must-have game you are addicted to lies on your screen? Regularly cleaning your smartphone, phone, tablet , or MP3 player's touch screen is essential for its upkeep and longevity. This wikiHow article will teach you how to clean and disinfect any touch screen safely.
Steps
-
Choose a microfiber cloth . A lint-free cloth is ideal for cleaning a touchscreen. Some devices come with their own cleaning cloths, but any lint-free cloth will work—including the one that you use to clean your eyeglasses. [1] X Expert Source Mobile Kangaroo
Computer & Phone Repair Specialists Expert Interview. 11 September 2019. -
Turn off your device. Before cleaning your touch screen, power down your phone, tablet, or computer. It is usually much easier to see where to clean when the device is switched off.Advertisement -
Rub the screen with the cloth in small circles. This will remove the majority of simple imperfections.
-
For tougher grime, moisten the cloth slightly. If truly needed, you can add a little moisture to the cloth, but be careful not to saturate it. It's best to use distilled water or a cleaner that's specifically designed for touch screens. Avoid using ammonia, bleach, or any abrasive cleaning solutions.
-
Brush again with a dry cloth. Lightly wipe the screen clean with a dry part of your cloth. Don't over-rub! And if there is any dampness left, allow it to fully dry before turning your device back on.
- Do not put too much pressure on the screen when cleaning it.
- To wash the microfiber cloth, soak it in warm, soapy water. Scrub the cloth lightly while soaking it (not too hard or you will damage the cloth). After soaking, avoid squeezing out any excess water, let the cloth out to air dry.
Advertisement
-
Get some alcohol gel. This gel is also known as hand sanitizer. Because of its high alcohol content, you can use it to kill germs on your touch screen. Alcohol dries quickly, making hand sanitizer a safe option.
- Power down your device before disinfecting.
- Always wait until your touch screen is completely dry before turning on your device.
-
Squeeze a small amount of sanitizer onto a paper towel. Don't drench the towel. Just use a small amount.
-
Wipe down the screen.
-
Remove smudges with a clean microfiber cloth. Once the screen is disinfected, you can use a lint-free cloth to remove fingerprints and smudges.
Advertisement
Expert Q&A
Search
-
QuestionHow can I clean a cell phone screen without damaging it?Mobile Kangaroo is a full service repair shop and Apple Authorized Service Provider headquartered in Mountain View, CA. Mobile Kangaroo has been repairing electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets, for over 19 years, with locations in over 20 cities.I'd use a disposable lens-cleaning wipe. If you don't have one of those, pour a few drops of isopropyl alcohol in a microfiber cloth. Wipe the screen gently, and then dry it off with a clean cloth.
-
QuestionCould a microfiber cloth damage the screen?Community AnswerNo, microfibre cloths are designed to not leave marks or scratches on surfaces such as glass or plastic.
-
QuestionI can't use a microfiber cloth because I don't have any and my mom already went to the store, so what's another technique I can use without having to go to the store?Community AnswerIf you do not have a microfiber cloth and the cleaning can't wait, a cotton cloth or corner of a shirt will do.
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
Advertisement
Video
Tips
- Keep your microfiber cloth clean so it's ready when you need it.Thanks
- You can buy screen cleaning kits that come with anti-static wipes and cleaning solutions.Thanks
- If you do not have a microfiber cloth, you can use a cotton t-shirt in a pinch.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Avoid putting alcohol directly on your device's screen because even a little bit can be damaging. Just using a moist microfiber cloth often works as well as most screen-cleaning liquids.
- To prevent scratches or just minor damage, use a screen protector to keep the main screen safe.
- When you're in a pinch, rub your phone screen with a clean piece of a cotton shirt.
- To keep the screen clean, I suggest using a stylus instead of your fingers.
Submit a Tip
All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
Advertisement
Warnings
- Don't press too hard on the screen when cleaning or you might damage the display.Thanks
- Avoid using paper towels or tissue paper, as they contain wood fibers that may scratch the screen.Thanks
- Never use the spit and rub cleaning method. It will only add grime on your screen that you will have to clean later.Thanks
- Never use products that contain ammonia or abrasive materials to clean the touchscreen.Thanks
- Avoid spraying liquid or water directly onto the screen.Thanks
Advertisement
Things You'll Need
- Microfiber cloth or a similar soft lint-free cloth.
- Distilled water or commercial touchscreen-targeted cleaning agent.
References
- ↑ Mobile Kangaroo. Computer & Phone Repair Specialists. Expert Interview. 11 September 2019.
About This Article
Article Summary
X
The best way to clean a touchscreen is with a dry microfiber cloth. Rub the screen in small circles with the cloth to remove any smudges and marks. If a dry cloth really isn't cutting it, you can try slightly moistening the cloth with distilled water or a screen cleaner. To sanitize your touchscreen, apply a little hand sanitizer to a paper towel, then carefully wipe down the screen with it. For more tips, like how to clean a microfiber cloth, keep reading!
Did this summary help you?
Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 965,655 times.
Reader Success Stories
- "The cloth worked perfectly. I plan on trying this trick on our sensor panels on our money counters at work. They get all that green gooey ink from the money. Thanks for the tip!" ..." more
Advertisement
"The cloth worked perfectly. I plan on trying this trick on our sensor panels on our money counters at work. They get all that green gooey ink from the money. Thanks for the tip!"
..."
more
"I have a new laptop and it has a touch screen. I want to keep it clean, and want to make sure I don't ruin the screen. This was very helpful."
..."
more
"The micro fiber cloth usage is a really good idea. Was worried about my mobile's screen. Thank you for such a wonderful article."
..."
more
"I used the micro-fiber cloth with a hand sanitizer/ disinfectant (alcohol-based), and it worked out pretty well."
"I haven't actually tried #2, but I have high hopes, I have never been let down by wikiHow before."
