Monitor coatings are thin, and every brand has its own cleaning rules. Start with the method every major brand accepts: a dry cloth, then a little water.
Quick answer: Switch the monitor off, unplug it and wipe the screen gently with a dry microfibre cloth. For fingerprints, dampen a corner of the cloth with distilled water, wring it until it's barely damp and wipe gently in one direction, then let the screen dry before switching back on. Never spray the screen, and skip window cleaner, paper towel and household wipes.
Which screen do you have?
Screen | How to tell | What changes |
|---|---|---|
Matte or anti-glare (most office and gaming monitors) | Reflections look soft and blurred | Water only, wiped extra gently: HP rules out alcohol and vinegar on matte screens |
Glossy glass (iMac and many all-in-ones) | Sharp, mirror-like reflections | Some brands allow a stronger step for stubborn smudges (next table) |
OLED gaming monitor | "OLED" on the box or spec sheet | Water on the cloth. Dell's Alienware QD-OLED guide says damage from alcohol, compressed air or detergents isn't covered by warranty |
Apple nano-texture glass (Studio Display, Pro Display XDR, iMac option) | Frosted, satin look; came with a polishing cloth | Apple's polishing cloth only, dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol for the occasional hard smudge |
Touchscreen monitor or all-in-one | Same method, more often and more gently, as HP suggests | |
Laptop or MacBook | Built into the computer | |
Not sure | Water only |
What each monitor brand allows
Brand | Default | Stubborn marks | Rules out |
|---|---|---|---|
Apple (iMac, Studio Display) | Soft, lint-free cloth damp with water | 70% isopropyl alcohol on the cloth | Window and household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, hydrogen peroxide, acetone |
Dell and Alienware | Soft cloth lightly damp with water, or a screen cleaner made for monitors | Nothing stronger | Alcohol, detergents, ammonia, abrasives, compressed air: Dell treats damage from them as customer-induced, outside warranty |
HP | Distilled water | 50/50 distilled water and white vinegar, sparingly; not on matte screens | Alcohol-based cleaners, window cleaner, disinfecting wipes, household cleaners, paper towel |
Lenovo | Water | 50/50 water and isopropyl alcohol, sparingly | Vinegar, window cleaner, ammonia |
Samsung | Distilled water | 50/50 distilled water and white vinegar for food marks | Alcohol, soap, window cleaner, ammonia, solvents, wax |
LG | Dry microfibre; breathe on fingerprints, then wipe | Nothing stronger | A wet cloth, alcohol, detergents, wax |
BenQ | Water or isopropyl alcohol on a soft cloth | Ethanol, bleach | |
Microsoft Surface | Water or eyeglass cleaner on a lint-free cloth | Alcohol- or ammonia-based cleaners | |
Another brand, or not sure | Distilled water | Repeat the water wipe | Everything else |
Brand advice checked October 2026.
How to clean a monitor screen, step by step
You'll need two clean microfibre cloths and a little distilled water. Samsung recommends distilled water because the minerals in other water can leave a residue on the screen.
Step 1: Switch off, unplug and let it cool
- Turn off the monitor and computer, unplug the monitor and let it cool, as Samsung advises.
- A dark screen shows every smear, and BenQ notes the pixels are sensitive to pressure while the monitor is on.
Step 2: Dust it dry
- Wipe with a dry microfibre cloth in one direction, with almost no pressure. LG warns that too much force can scratch or discolour the screen.
- Never use paper towel, tissues or a cloth towel; Samsung says they can scratch it.
For dust alone, that's the whole job.
Step 3: Fingerprints: use a barely damp cloth
- Dampen one corner of the cloth with distilled water and wring it until it's barely damp.
- Wipe the marks gently, then go over the area with the dry cloth.
- Never spray anything at the screen. Dell says liquid can roll to the bottom of the panel and corrode the electronics, and Apple says it may drip inside.
- On an LG monitor, skip the water: breathe on the fingerprints to fog them, then wipe, as LG suggests.
Safety Never mix cleaning products. Victoria’s Better Health Channel: “Do not mix bleach with ammonia, acids or other cleaners – this can release hazardous chlorine or chloramine fumes.” Ventilate the room during and after use. Wear gloves and eye protection. Follow the label's dilution and contact time. In an emergency call 000. For poisoning advice call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 — 24 hours, anywhere in Australia.
Step 4: Stubborn marks: the step your brand allows
- Find your brand in the table. Where alcohol is allowed (Apple, Lenovo, BenQ), moisten the cloth with 70% isopropyl alcohol, or Lenovo's 50/50 mix with water, and wipe the spot.
- Where vinegar is allowed (HP glossy screens, Samsung), mix equal parts white vinegar and distilled water, dampen the cloth and wring it out well first.
- On Dell, Alienware, LG, Microsoft and unknown brands, repeat Step 3 instead.
- Isopropyl alcohol is highly flammable (Diggers' safety data sheet classes it H225). Use it on the cloth with the monitor unplugged, away from heaters and flames, and let it evaporate before switching on.
Step 5: Wipe the frame, stand and back
Wipe them with a cloth slightly damp with water, as Apple suggests for its displays, keeping moisture out of vents and ports.
Step 6: Let it dry, then reconnect
Leave the screen to dry completely before plugging the monitor back in, as Samsung advises.
Done looks like: with the screen off and lit from the side, no smears, specks or lint, and no damp line along the bottom edge.
If it's streaky, HP's fixes are less liquid, a clean microfibre cloth and distilled water rather than tap water. Buff with a fresh, dry cloth and repeat Step 3 if needed.
Window cleaner, wipes, vinegar and alcohol: what works
Method | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
Window cleaner, such as Windex | No | Apple, HP, Lenovo and Samsung all rule it out; Lenovo says it can damage the anti-glare coating |
Household or disinfecting wipes | No | HP rules out disinfecting wipes, Samsung rules out soap and Dell rules out detergents |
Wipes or sprays made for screens | Yes | HP and Apple both point to cleaners made for screens |
Eyeglass cleaner | Only on a Surface | Microsoft allows it there; HP says some contain chemicals that harm screen coatings |
White vinegar | Only on HP and Samsung screens | Lenovo says its acidity may damage the coating |
Paper towel, tissues or an old T-shirt | No | HP says they can scratch the screen |
Compressed air | Not needed | A dry cloth lifts dust; Dell rules it out on its monitors |
Breathing on the glass | Fine for fingerprints | LG's own suggestion |
When to stop
- Cloudy patches, a milky film, faded colour or peeling that won't wipe off: stop cleaning. Dell lists these as damage caused by cleaners, not dirt.
- Liquid ran inside the frame: turn the monitor off, unplug it, blot the outside and let it dry completely. HP says to have it checked before using it if liquid seeped inside.
Wiping monitor screens isn't a listed task on Simply Maid's cleaning checklist, which covers dusting accessible surfaces and shelves. For the rest of the workspace, see How to Clean Your Desk and Keep It Organised, and for the keyboard in front of the screen, How to Clean a Keyboard.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I clean my monitor?
HP suggests every one to two weeks, and before each use on a screen several people share. Less dust in the room means less on the screen: see How to Get Rid of Dust — and Stop It Coming Straight Back.
Can I clean a MacBook or laptop screen the same way?
Yes: the water-first method is the same, and Apple allows a cloth moistened with 70% isopropyl alcohol for hard-to-remove smudges on MacBook screens. A laptop adds a keyboard and vents, which How to Clean Your Laptop Safely covers.
How do I wash Apple's polishing cloth?
By hand, with dish soap and water. Apple says to rinse it thoroughly and let it air-dry for at least 24 hours.
Last reviewed 6 October 2026 · Update history
Sources & References
- Apple Support (Australia), How to clean your Apple products (31 October 2025): iMac and display cleaning, 70% alcohol, cleaners to avoid.
- Apple Support, How to clean your nano-texture Apple display (8 November 2024): polishing cloth only; washing the cloth.
- Dell, Damage to Monitor Through Incorrect Cleaning Methods (10 May 2026): water-damp cloth; no alcohol, detergents or compressed air.
- Dell, Alienware AW3423DWF Monitor User's Guide (PDF, October 2022): QD-OLED cleaning and warranty note.
- HP, How to Properly Clean Your Monitor Screen (31 January 2025): distilled water, vinegar, matte screens, streaks, spills, frequency.
- Lenovo Australia, How do I clean my monitor screen effectively?: water or 50/50 alcohol mix; no vinegar or window cleaner.
- Samsung, Clean your Samsung monitor: distilled water, vinegar, cleaners to avoid, drying.
- LG Australia, How to clean the monitor (13 August 2025): dry cloth, breath for fingerprints, no wet cloth or alcohol.
- BenQ Australia, What's the best way to clean my BenQ monitor?: isopropyl alcohol or water; pressure while on.
- Microsoft, How to safely clean computer screens (2 April 2024): no alcohol or ammonia; Surface screens.
- Recochem (Diggers), Isopropyl Alcohol safety data sheet (PDF, 2022): highly flammable (H225).
