Your computer screen looks clean until the room lights hit it at the wrong angle. Then you see the smudges, the dust, the fingerprints, and the hazy film that builds up week after week. Most people reach for a tissue, a bit of glass cleaner, or a cloth dampened with whatever is in the cupboard. All three can damage your screen.
This guide explains how to clean a computer screen or monitor safely in 2026, what products are genuinely safe, and what to avoid. It applies to LCD, LED, IPS, OLED and the anti-glare matte displays common on modern PCs and external monitors. If you have a MacBook or an iMac, you can also follow this method, but we have a more specific guide for how to clean a MacBook screen without damaging the coating.
The short answer: spray a dedicated screen cleaner onto a clean microfibre cloth, not the screen, and wipe in gentle overlapping circles. The brand of cleaner matters more than most people think, which we cover below.
What not to use on a computer screen
Before the method, here is what causes most of the damage we see. Avoid all of these.
Glass cleaner (Windex, Ajax, supermarket sprays)
Household glass cleaners are formulated for windows and mirrors, which are uncoated glass. Your monitor has thin functional layers on top of the glass: an anti-reflective coating, sometimes an anti-glare layer, and on touch-capable screens an oleophobic coating that repels fingerprints. Ammonia, the active ingredient in most glass cleaners, degrades these coatings with repeated use. The screen starts to look cloudy or develops uneven patches that catch the light differently. This damage is not reversible.
Rubbing alcohol or isopropyl alcohol at full strength
Apple and most monitor manufacturers allow a diluted 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe for disinfection, but only occasionally. Used as a regular cleaner, alcohol strips the oleophobic coating the same way ammonia does. Each clean removes a small amount of the coating. After a few months of weekly use, fingerprints start to cling more stubbornly and the screen feels less smooth under your finger.
Tissues, paper towels, kitchen roll
They feel soft on your hand but under pressure against a screen they act like very fine sandpaper. Paper products contain wood fibres that leave micro-scratches on coatings. The scratches are too small to see but they diffuse light unevenly, which is why a screen cleaned with tissues starts to look dull over time.
Tap water on its own
This is the quiet one that catches people out. Australian tap water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium, which is why you see limescale on shower screens and kettles. When tap water evaporates off a monitor, it leaves those minerals behind as a faint white film. The film is harder to remove than the original smudge and builds up with every clean.
Old T-shirts, tea towels, microfibre cloths used on other surfaces
A microfibre cloth that has been used on kitchen benches, dashboards or glasses is carrying grit. That grit scratches screens. Only use a dedicated, clean microfibre cloth for screens, and wash it separately from household cloths.
What you actually need
Two things: a clean microfibre cloth and a cleaner designed for electronics.
A dedicated screen cleaner
We make this easy, because WHOOSH Australia sells the product we recommend for this job. WHOOSH! Screen Shine is the screen cleaner used in Apple retail stores worldwide. It is non-toxic, alcohol-free, ammonia-free, and specifically formulated for the oleophobic and anti-reflective coatings on modern displays. Instead of attacking oils with solvent force (the way alcohol does), it uses a biology-based micro-emulsion that surrounds and lifts oils without touching the coating underneath. If you want the technical detail, we wrote a separate piece on the science behind WHOOSH.
For a home or home-office setup with one monitor or laptop, the WHOOSH! Duo 100mL + 8mL is the right size. For a multi-device household or an office, the 500mL Refillable Screen Shine lasts longer and is better value per mL.
A clean microfibre cloth
Most WHOOSH! bottles include one. If you need more, or you are cleaning a large monitor or ultrawide, the WHOOSH! XL Microfibre 3-Pack gives you bigger cloths and enough for one to stay dry for the final buff.
If you prefer wipes, WHOOSH! Screen Shine Wipes come pre-moistened with the same formula and work well for quick cleans.
How to clean a computer screen: the step-by-step method
This is the method WHOOSH! retail teams use. It takes about two minutes.
Step 1. Turn the computer off and unplug it
A dark screen makes smudges visible, which is the opposite of what you want when you are cleaning. It also protects the pixels from pressure damage and removes any risk of moisture reaching electrical components. For laptops, shut down or put to sleep, close the lid briefly, then reopen and clean. For desktop monitors, switch off at the wall.
Step 2. Dust the screen first
Before any liquid touches the screen, pass a dry microfibre cloth lightly over the surface to pick up loose dust. If you skip this step, the dust gets dragged around and acts like an abrasive under the cloth. On very dusty monitors, use a can of compressed air at arm's length first.
Step 3. Spray the cloth, not the screen
This is the single most important rule in screen cleaning. Spray two or three pumps of WHOOSH! Screen Shine onto a clean, folded microfibre cloth until the cloth is lightly dampened. Not wet. Excess liquid that runs off the screen can find its way into the bezel, the laptop hinge, or the gap between the screen and the chassis, and monitors are not designed to tolerate liquid ingress.
Step 4. Wipe in gentle overlapping circles
Start in the top left corner and work across the screen in small overlapping circular motions, using light pressure. Do not press hard. On LCD, IPS and OLED panels, pressure can cause temporary or permanent pressure marks on the display. The damp cloth should do the work, not your hand.
For larger screens (27 inch and above, or ultrawides), work in quadrants. Clean the top-left, then top-right, then bottom-left, then bottom-right. This keeps the formula from drying before you cover the whole surface, which is what causes streaks.
Step 5. Buff dry with a clean part of the cloth
Fold the cloth to expose a dry section, or use a second dry microfibre cloth, and pass it over the screen in light overlapping strokes. This picks up any remaining moisture and lifts any residue, leaving a streak-free finish. The buff pass is what separates a clean that looks good for a day from a clean that looks good for a week.
Step 6. Don't forget the bezel and keyboard
While you are there, use the same cloth to wipe down the bezel, the edges of the monitor, and the top edges of your laptop keyboard. These surfaces accumulate the same oils and dust as the screen and are just as easy to clean with a screen-safe formula. WHOOSH! is safe for plastic and metal bezels as well as glass.
Common mistakes when cleaning a computer screen
The method above is simple, but there are a few consistent mistakes worth calling out.
Spraying the cleaner directly on the screen
Every manufacturer's guidance says the same thing for a reason: liquid running down the screen is the most common cause of cleaning-related monitor damage. Always spray the cloth first.
Using too much product
A lightly damp cloth is enough. Overspraying leaves more liquid on the screen than the cloth can absorb on the buff pass, which creates streaks and hazing. Two or three pumps of Screen Shine is plenty for a 24-inch monitor.
Cleaning a warm screen
A screen that has been on for hours is slightly warmer than the room and slightly expanded. Any moisture that lands on it evaporates faster and less evenly, which increases streaking. Let the screen cool for a few minutes after turning it off before you start.
Using the same cloth for everything
A microfibre cloth that has wiped down a greasy kitchen bench or an oily car dashboard is not a screen cloth anymore. Keep a dedicated cloth for screens. Wash it separately in cold water, no fabric softener (softener leaves a residue that defeats the microfibre), and air dry.
Using glasses wipes on a screen
Pharmacy glasses wipes often contain alcohol or additives designed for plastic and glass lenses, not for the oleophobic coatings on screens. They can leave residue or accelerate coating wear. Use a product designed specifically for screens instead.
Frequently asked questions
What can I use to clean my computer screen?
Use a cleaner designed specifically for screens, applied to a clean microfibre cloth. Avoid household glass cleaners, rubbing alcohol at full strength, tissues and paper towels. WHOOSH! Screen Shine is the cleaner used in Apple retail stores worldwide and is alcohol-free, ammonia-free and non-toxic. For the full method, follow the six steps above.
Is it okay to spray cleaner directly on the screen?
No. Always spray the cleaner onto a clean microfibre cloth first, never directly onto the screen. Liquid that runs off the screen can enter the bezel, the laptop hinge, or the gap between the display and the chassis, which monitors are not designed to tolerate. Spraying the cloth also prevents over-application, which is the main cause of streaks.
Can I use glasses wipes to clean my computer screen?
It is not recommended. Pharmacy glasses wipes are typically formulated for plastic and glass lenses and often contain alcohol or additives that can damage the oleophobic coating on modern screens. Use a product designed specifically for screens, such as WHOOSH! Screen Shine Wipes, which are pre-moistened with a non-toxic alcohol-free formula.
How often should I clean my computer screen?
For most people, once every one to two weeks is enough. If you work in a dusty environment, eat at your desk, or share the computer with children, increase this to once a week. WHOOSH! is designed for frequent use, so you can clean as often as needed without worrying about cumulative coating damage.
Can I use a cleaner that contains alcohol?
Repeated use of alcohol-based cleaners will gradually degrade the oleophobic coating on your screen. Most monitor and laptop manufacturers allow a diluted 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe for occasional disinfection, but not as a regular cleaning product. For routine cleaning, use an alcohol-free formula instead.
What is the best cleaner for an anti-glare monitor?
Anti-glare monitors have a matte coating that is even more sensitive to solvents than glossy screens. Alcohol and ammonia will break down the matte layer faster, creating shiny patches that ruin the anti-glare effect. WHOOSH! Screen Shine is safe for anti-glare and anti-reflective coatings because it cleans by emulsifying oils rather than dissolving them with solvent.
Are WHOOSH! products safe for all screens?
WHOOSH! is safe for phones, tablets, laptops, desktop monitors, TVs and in-car displays, including the oleophobic and anti-reflective coatings used on modern devices. Two exceptions: Apple's Nano-texture glass displays (Studio Display, Pro Display XDR, and the Nano-texture option on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro) and camera lenses. For Nano-texture glass, follow Apple's specialist cleaning guidance. For camera lenses, use a product designed for optical coatings.
The bottom line
Cleaning a computer screen is simple if you follow two rules: use a cleaner that is alcohol-free and designed for screens, and always spray the cloth, not the screen. Everything else is technique.
If you want to get set up today, the 500mL Refillable Screen Shine is the best value option for a home or office with multiple devices. For a single laptop or monitor, the Duo 100mL + 8mL is the right size. Both ship same-day from North Ryde, NSW on orders placed before 2pm.
You can also browse the full Screen Shine Spray collection or the value bundles if you want to compare all the options. If you are still deciding, our 2026 buyer's guide to the best screen cleaner in Australia compares WHOOSH! against the other brands on Australian shelves.
Related guides
-
How to clean a MacBook screen
Apple-specific guidance for Retina displays, including keyboard transfer marks and Nano-texture warnings. -
How to clean a laptop screen
Step-by-step method for Windows laptops, Chromebooks and gaming laptops without damaging the coating. -
Best screen cleaner in Australia (2026 buyer’s guide)
Compares WHOOSH! against Laser, Moki and Bright Wipe with formula, pricing and sustainability detail.
