First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Unplug the device and remove cables before you touch the mark.
- Judge the damage first: light browning may come out, but charred or deep burns usually can't.
- If liquid has got inside, stop and get professional help.
A scorch on electronics is heat damage to the display or casing itself, so a cleaner can't undo it, whether the device is a phone, tablet, or laptop. Light discoloration is sometimes all that can be lifted, and deep marks stay regardless of what you use. Power the device down and unplug it before you touch anything, since moisture reaching the inside is the bigger risk.
For screen burn on a phone or tablet, start with a dry microfiber cloth and only dampen it slightly if the dry pass does nothing. Wipe gently with light pressure, because a hard press on a screen can do more harm than the mark itself. If you're dealing with a laptop screen, wait until it is fully off and cool before you wipe anything.
Before you start
What electronics & screens can take
Use with care2
- Water
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
Avoid4
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Oxygen bleach
- Scrubbing and abrasives
3 items
What you'll need
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- Soft, dry, lint-free clothFor the first gentle wipe and for drying. (opens Amazon)
- Screen cleaner intended for screensApplied to the cloth, never sprayed onto the display. (opens Amazon)
- 70% isopropyl alcoholFor hard, nonporous casings only, not screens. (opens Amazon)
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Judge how deep the damage goes
Look at the mark in good light before you touch it. Light browning may lift with the steps below, but charred or deep burns usually can't be removed and may need a professional repair.
Step 2 of 6
Unplug and clear the cables
Unplug the device and remove all cables and external power before you clean anything. Then set it on a dry, flat surface where the mark is easy to reach.
Step 3 of 6
Start with a dry wipe
Wipe gently across the mark with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth. If the mark is gone, you're finished, so don't move on to the damp steps.
Step 4 of 6
Try a slightly damp cloth
If the mark remains, dampen a soft, lint-free cloth and wring it out until it's only slightly damp. Wipe in short passes and check the mark after each one.
Step 5 of 6
Clean the screen through the cloth
For a screen, apply a cleaner intended for screens to the cloth, then wipe gently across the mark. Let the screen dry before you judge the result.
Tip. Keep the cloth just damp so only a little product reaches the display.
Careful. Spraying cleaner straight onto the screen can let liquid seep into the device.
Step 6 of 6
Use alcohol on hard casings
On a hard, nonporous casing, wipe gently with a cloth moistened with 70% isopropyl alcohol or a 75% ethyl alcohol wipe. Keep the alcohol off the screen, and stop if the mark doesn't lighten.
Careful. Work in a ventilated room and wear rubber gloves when using alcohol.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for scorch on electronics & screens
Look for a screen cleaner labeled for displays, and for alcohol choose 70% isopropyl with no added color or fragrance.
Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on electronics & screens, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
A lighter, more even mark after a pass is a good sign. If nothing changes after the alcohol wipe on a casing, stop, since more rubbing won't reverse heat damage.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your electronics & screens
Phone or tablet screen
A phone or tablet screen gets the dry cloth and then a cloth with screen cleaner, and nothing else. Keep the device unplugged and avoid the edges and ports, where moisture does the most harm.
The alcohol step doesn't apply here because the screen is not a casing. If the mark is still there after the screen cleaner, stop and check the damage rather than rubbing harder.
Laptop screen
A laptop screen follows the same order as a phone, with the screen cleaner applied to the cloth and never sprayed. Wipe in one direction with light pressure, and keep moisture away from the hinge and vents, since they are openings.
Alcohol stays off the screen, so if the mark sits on the lid or base, use the alcohol step there instead. Test an inconspicuous spot first, since casing finishes vary.
Metal case
A metal case is a hard, nonporous surface, so the 70% isopropyl alcohol step applies. Wipe gently with a cloth moistened with it, and avoid the seams and any openings.
Wipe in one direction and let the case dry before you check the mark. For metal that has discolored beyond what wiping lifts, our Metal, Chrome & Tools guide covers the metal itself.
Plastic casing
Plastic casing only takes the alcohol step if it is smooth and hard. On textured, matte or painted plastic, stop at the damp cloth and test an inconspicuous spot first.
Wipe gently and check the mark after each pass. For plastic that is damaged beyond wiping, our Plastic & Tupperware guide covers the plastic itself.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old scorch marks that have been there for a while follow the same order, but expect less from them. Light browning on a casing is the only kind that tends to lift.
If the mark hasn't moved after the cloth, the screen cleaner and the alcohol, there is no stronger treatment that's safe on electronics. Deep scorch cannot be reversed, and it leaves permanent discoloration.
Still there after all that usually means the damage is deep, and the next step is a professional repair rather than more rubbing. Ask for an honest assessment before you pay for any cosmetic work.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on scorch on electronics & screens?
Most kitchen remedies are for fabric, food or hard household surfaces, and few belong near electronics. Only isopropyl alcohol is worth using, and only on hard casings; the other options are unsafe or unnecessary.
Works1Skip2Avoid3
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use bleach or hydrogen peroxide
Chlorine bleach and hydrogen peroxide can damage the finish, and this surface can't take either one. Leave them off the shelf for this job, even as a test.
Don't use abrasive cloths or steel wool
Paper towels, abrasive cloths and abrasive cleaners can remove or damage the finish. Sanding and steel wool can leave the mark worse than before.
Don't reach for household cleaners
Window cleaners, ammonia, aerosol sprays and cleaners containing acetone have no place on a display. Stick to the screen cleaner and the alcohol step.
Don't submerge the device
Never submerge the device in any cleaning agent, and never let moisture get into its openings. A damp cloth is enough, and a wet one is not.
When to call a professional
Charred or deep burns usually can't be removed at home and may need a professional repair. If liquid has got inside the device, stop wiping and have an authorized service provider check it before you use it again.
Questions
What's the difference between a scorch and a stain?
A scorch is heat damage to the material itself, while a stain is a deposit sitting on top. That's why a scorch often can't be wiped away the way a smudge can.
Can screen burn be removed completely?
Light browning sometimes lifts, but charred or deep burns usually can't be removed. If the mark doesn't change after the dry cloth and screen cleaner, more rubbing won't fix it.
Which cleaner is safe for a screen?
A cleaner intended for screens, applied to a soft, lint-free cloth and never sprayed onto the display. Alcohol isn't the right choice for a screen.
Can I use 70% isopropyl alcohol on my phone?
Only on a hard, nonporous casing, not on the screen. Test an inconspicuous spot first, then wipe gently with the cloth just moistened.
How long does this take?
There's no fixed time, because it depends on how deep the damage is. Work in short passes and stop once the mark stops changing.
When is it worth calling a repair shop?
Call one if the burn is charred or deep, since those usually can't be removed at home. Ask what the repair covers before you agree to it.
Scorch on other materials
Other stains on electronics & screens
Start from the bigger picture
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.