First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Power off and unplug first.
- Wipe dry before anything else.
- Use a light touch and a clean part of the cloth.
- Check the screen from an angle after each pass.
Smudges, oily fingerprints and pressure marks on a monitor, laptop or phone usually come off with a dry cloth first. Water is only safe in small amounts and with care, and soaking is off the table for any device. If liquid has already got inside, stop cleaning and have a professional repair service look at it.
Spray liquid onto the cloth, never straight onto a monitor or phone, so it can't seep into the edges. If pressure marks on a laptop screen won't wipe off, press lightly and wipe once more rather than harder. Stained airpods or a mousepad need a soft microfiber cloth and very little moisture.
Before you start
What this material can take
Use with care2
- Water
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
Avoid4
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Oxygen bleach
- Scrubbing and abrasives
4 items
What you'll need
Tap an item to get it on Amazon, or tick what you already have.
- Soft, lint-free clothLifts dust and smudges without scratching the surface. (opens Amazon)
- Cleaner made for screensApplied to the cloth, it is the safe choice for displays. (opens Amazon)
- 70% isopropyl alcoholFor hard smudges on hard, nonporous surfaces only. (opens Amazon)
- A second dry clothLets you buff the screen after a damp pass.
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6 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 6
Power down and unplug first
Unplug the device and remove all cables and any external power before you touch the screen. This keeps the device off while you clean it, so you won't press a button by accident.
Step 2 of 6
Dust off with a dry cloth
Wipe the surface with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth to lift dust and loose residue. Most fresh marks come off at this stage, so check the screen from an angle before going further.
Tip. Wipe in one direction, not in circles, so the mark doesn't spread.
Careful. Paper towels and abrasive cloths can scratch the surface, so keep them out of reach.
Step 3 of 6
Dampen the cloth for stubborn marks
If the mark is still there, switch to a soft, slightly damp, lint-free cloth. Wring it out well so it is barely wet before you wipe.
Careful. Keep moisture out of vents, ports, speaker grills and key gaps.
Step 4 of 6
Use a screen cleaner on the cloth
For a screen, put a small amount of a cleaner made for screens onto the cloth, then wipe the mark gently. Work from the center outward and keep your pressure light.
Careful. Never spray cleaner directly onto the device.
Step 5 of 6
Try alcohol on hard smudges only
For a hard-to-remove smudge on a hard, nonporous surface, gently wipe with a cloth moistened with 70% isopropyl alcohol or 75% ethyl alcohol. Use a fresh part of the cloth for each pass and let the surface dry before you judge the result.
Careful. Keep alcohol off soft, porous or fabric parts, such as ear tips and fabric covers.
Step 6 of 6
Stop and get help if liquid got in
If liquid has made its way inside the device, stop cleaning and have an authorized service provider look at it. Don't keep wiping at the openings to try to clear it.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best stain removers for electronics & screens
Choose a screen cleaner sold as a liquid for the cloth or as pre-moistened wipes made for screens, and keep a pack of lint-free cloths on hand.
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.
See what to do for what you're seeing →If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →Know the stain? Use its own guide
Every stain on electronics & screens
Discoloration & marks5
Paint, glue & adhesives5
Water, rust & minerals2
Ink, marker & crayon2
Pet stains1
Oil & grease1
Smoke & burns2
Dye & color1
Mold & outdoor1
Wax, gum & sticky1
No match. Try the main search for anything else.
How to tell it's working
The screen looks clear when you view it straight on and at an angle with the light on it. A dry pass that leaves no new haze means the surface is clean. If a mark still shows once the screen is fully dry, the steps have done what they can.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your electronics & screens
Laptop screen
Use the same steps on a laptop screen, and keep the lid open while you work so nothing presses onto the display by accident. Pressure marks are usually a faint outline or film from the keys, so start with the dry cloth and only move to the damp cloth if it doesn't lift. Work gently and don't press into the display to chase a spot.
If a spot stays after the screen is dry, stop rather than rubbing harder. Pressing or scrubbing can make a pressure mark worse, so take the laptop to someone who can look at the screen itself.
Laptop keyboard and screen
Laptop screens and keyboards take the same approach: dry cloth first, then a barely damp cloth where the mark is still visible. Between the keys, use a dry cloth and avoid pushing liquid into the gaps. The keycaps are hard plastic, so a cloth with a little 70% isopropyl alcohol can lift a greasy patch that stays.
Keep the keyboard area dry while you work and let it air out before you close the lid. Don't wipe the keyboard and screen with the same damp part of the cloth, or you'll carry oil from one to the other.
Mouse and mousepad
The mouse shell is hard, so the dry-then-damp routine works there, with moisture kept away from the buttons and the sensor opening. The mousepad is a different material, so you can't yet know what is safe. Dry-wipe the pad first, and don't use liquid, alcohol or any cleaner on it until you know what it is made of.
If the pad has a hard plastic surface, the steps above apply. If it is cloth or rubber, stay with the dry cloth and check the material before anything wetter.
Phone, watch and tablet
Phones, watches and tablets have glass screens, so a cleaner made for screens on a barely damp cloth is the right tool. Switch off and unplug the device first, then keep moisture away from the speaker, microphone and charging port. A stain on the case or strap is on a different material, so stick to the dry cloth until you know what it is made of.
For a watch, dry-wipe the band first and only use a damp cloth on the hard case once you know the band material. Let the screen dry fully before you use the device again.
Earbuds and headphones
Earbuds are small with lots of openings, so the dry cloth does most of the work. Keep moisture out of the speaker mesh and the charging contacts, and don't let any liquid soak in there. Ear tips are soft, so they get only the dry cloth.
If the charging case is hard, a barely damp cloth is fine there after the dry pass. Let anything wet dry completely before it goes back in your ears or the case.
TV and projector screen
A TV screen takes the same routine: dry cloth first, then a cleaner made for screens applied to a barely damp cloth, worked gently across the panel from the top down. Keep the TV switched off and cool so the wet area dries quickly and the marks show clearly.
A projector lens is the exception and needs different care than a screen. Use only a dry cloth on the lens and check the device's own instructions before anything wetter.
Laptop body and cover
The hard lid and base of a laptop take the dry-then-damp routine, and a hard smudge can get the 70% isopropyl alcohol step. Keep the vents and ports dry and avoid getting liquid into the keyboard area. A cover made of fabric or leather doesn't get the damp cloth or alcohol.
Leather can stain from water, oil, makeup and dyed materials such as denim, and cleaning or conditioning it may change its color. For a leather sleeve or cover, use only the dry cloth and leave anything more to a professional.
Game controller and console
Controllers have hard plastic shells, so the dry cloth and a barely damp cloth handle most grime. The vents on a console and the charging port get only the dry cloth. Grips and rubber pads are not hard, so they stay dry.
For a sticky patch on a hard controller shell, a cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol is the next step, and nothing stronger is needed.
Desktop keyboard
A desktop keyboard is wiped the same way as a laptop one: dry cloth between the keys, then a barely damp cloth on the keycaps. Turn the keyboard face-down before you wipe so crumbs fall out, and keep the cable connection dry. The keycaps are hard plastic, so 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cloth is an option for a greasy spot.
Let the keys dry fully before you use the keyboard again.
Old, dried or set-in stains
An old mark on a screen usually means a film that built up over time, and that is where a repeated, gentle routine helps most. Work in several light passes with the damp cloth rather than one hard scrub, and turn to a clean section of cloth each time.
A mark that has dried on a hard, nonporous surface can get one careful pass with 70% isopropyl alcohol on a fresh section of cloth. Check the result after the surface has dried completely, because a light film can look worse while it is still wet.
If the mark is still there after that, it may not come out, and more cleaning won't change that. Stop there rather than reaching for something stronger.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on electronics & screens?
You'll see plenty of home remedies for screens, from vinegar to dish soap to baking soda. Most are made for kitchens and bathrooms rather than electronics, so only a few are worth trying on a screen.
Works1Avoid5
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't reach for bleach or peroxide
Bleach and hydrogen peroxide are off the list for electronics, even when a mark looks stubborn. Products containing either can damage the surface, so they aren't worth the risk.
Don't use household or acetone cleaners on a display
Window cleaners, household sprays, aerosols, ammonia and acetone-based products are all ruled out on displays. A cleaner made for screens, applied to the cloth, is the only liquid to put near a screen.
Don't close the lid on a damp screen
A laptop lid pressed onto a wet or freshly wiped screen can leave new marks and carry moisture to the keys. Let the screen and keyboard dry fully before you close it.
Troubleshooting
If the stain is still there
Pick what you're seeing:
Streaks appear after cleaning a screen
Buff with a clean, dry section of the lint-free cloth using light, straight strokes. Streaks usually mean the cloth was too wet or carried leftover residue.
A sticky spot on a plastic or metal case won't lift
Hold a cloth moistened with 70% isopropyl alcohol on the spot for a moment, then wipe gently. Repeat a few times rather than rubbing hard.
Lint is left on the surface
Switch to a fresh lint-free cloth and wipe dry. Paper towels and old cotton rags shed fibers, so set them aside.
Moisture got near a port or grille
Stop cleaning, keep the device unplugged and turned off, and blot only the outside with a dry cloth. If you suspect liquid went in, contact service.
When to call a professional
If a mark stays after the steps above, or the screen has a crack or a deep scratch, a cloth won't fix it. Those problems need someone who can look at the screen itself, and it's better to ask than to keep rubbing.
Questions
Can I clean a monitor with vinegar or dish soap?
No, vinegar and dish soap are out, since they are household cleaners and displays need a cleaner made for screens. Start with a dry cloth, then use a cleaner made for screens on a barely damp cloth. That covers almost every monitor smudge.
Are pressure marks on a laptop screen the same as smudges?
Pressure marks, the faint outlines left when the lid presses on the keys, are usually handled the same way as a smudge. Use light pressure and don't press harder on the mark. If it is still visible once the screen is clean and dry, stop there and have it checked.
Do I need a special product for laptops and computers?
You don't need much: a cleaner made for screens, a soft lint-free cloth and, for hard smudges, 70% isopropyl alcohol. Skip general stain removers, since they aren't meant for electronics. A second dry cloth is useful for buffing.
How do I clean stained earbuds or AirPods?
Use a dry, lint-free cloth first, and keep moisture out of the speaker openings. Soft parts take only the dry cloth, and a hard charging case can take a barely damp cloth after that. When you can't tell what a part is made of, the dry cloth is the safe choice.
Can I clean a TV or projector screen the same way?
Yes for the screen itself: dry cloth first, then a cleaner made for screens on a barely damp cloth, worked gently across the panel. The projector lens is different, so wipe it only with a dry cloth unless the device's own instructions say otherwise.
How do I get stains off a game controller?
Work through the same steps: unplug, dry-wipe, then a barely damp cloth on the hard plastic shell. A hard, nonporous shell can take 70% isopropyl alcohol for a stubborn smudge. Grips and rubber pads get the dry cloth only.
What about a mousepad or a stained mouse?
Start with a dry cloth, since the hard shell of a mouse can take a damp cloth. For a mousepad, wipe the surface dry first; if it is hard plastic, the damp routine applies, and if it is cloth or rubber, keep it dry and check the material before anything wetter. Dry wiping is the safe starting point for both.
Related
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.