Laptop screens collect more grime than almost any other screen in your life. You open the lid twenty times a day with oily fingers, the keyboard transfers oils onto the screen every time you close the laptop, and most laptops have matte anti-glare coatings that show every smudge. The wrong cleaner will make it worse. The right one takes about two minutes and keeps the screen looking new for years.
This guide covers Windows laptops, Chromebooks, gaming laptops and business laptops. If you have a MacBook, we have a separate guide for how to clean a MacBook screen without damaging the coating, because the Retina display has specific handling considerations.
The short version: spray an alcohol-free, ammonia-free screen cleaner onto a microfibre cloth, not the screen itself, then wipe in gentle circles. Everything else in this guide is detail on why, and what happens when you do it wrong.
Why laptop screens are harder to clean than they look
Three things about modern laptop screens make them more sensitive than a TV or a phone.
Matte and anti-glare coatings. Most business and productivity laptops (Dell XPS, HP EliteBook, Lenovo ThinkPad, Surface Laptop, many Chromebooks) have a matte anti-glare finish. That finish is a thin textured coating that diffuses light to reduce reflections. Alcohol and ammonia break the coating down faster than they do a glossy screen. Once it degrades, you get shiny patches that ruin the anti-glare effect permanently.
Keyboard transfer marks. When the laptop is closed, the keys press against the screen. Natural skin oils and keyboard residue transfer from the keys onto the display. These marks are different from regular fingerprints: they appear in a grid pattern matching the keyboard layout, concentrate in the lower third of the screen, and are harder to remove because they have been pressed into the surface under the weight of the closed lid.
Liquid ingress risk. Laptops have a hinge at the base of the screen and a narrow gap where the display meets the chassis. Liquid sprayed directly onto the screen can run down and enter these gaps, reaching the hinge mechanism, the keyboard, or the motherboard. Most laptop warranties explicitly exclude liquid damage, and monitor replacement is typically the most expensive single repair on a laptop.
What you'll need
Two things: a cleaner designed for screens, and a clean microfibre cloth.
A screen-safe cleaner
Use an alcohol-free, ammonia-free cleaner specifically formulated for electronic displays. WHOOSH! Screen Shine is the cleaner used in Apple retail stores and is safe for the oleophobic and anti-reflective coatings on modern laptop screens. The formula lifts oils using a biology-based micro-emulsion rather than dissolving them with solvent, which means frequent use does not degrade the coating underneath.
For a single laptop at home, the WHOOSH! Duo 100mL + 8mL is the right size. For a household with multiple laptops and other devices, the 500mL Refillable Screen Shine is the better-value option. If you prefer a wipe format, WHOOSH! Screen Shine Wipes come pre-moistened with the same formula.
A clean microfibre cloth
Most WHOOSH! bottles include a cloth. If you are cleaning a 17-inch gaming laptop or you want a second cloth for the dry buff pass, the WHOOSH! XL Microfibre 3-Pack gives you larger cloths and a full spare.
Do not use a microfibre cloth that has been used on other surfaces. A cloth that has wiped down a kitchen bench or a car dashboard is carrying grit, and grit scratches screen coatings. Keep a dedicated cloth for screens and wash it separately.
How to clean a laptop screen: the step-by-step method
This takes about two minutes. Follow the steps in order.
Step 1. Shut down the laptop and unplug it
A dark screen makes smudges visible. Cleaning a powered-on screen means you cannot see what you have missed, and it creates unnecessary risk if any moisture reaches the keyboard or ports. Shut down or put the laptop to sleep, and unplug the charger. For laptops with a removable battery, you can remove it; for most modern laptops this is not practical.
Step 2. Dust first with a dry cloth
Before any liquid touches the screen, pass a dry microfibre cloth lightly across the surface to pick up loose dust particles. If you skip this step, the dust gets dragged under the damp cloth and acts like very fine sandpaper on the coating. For dusty laptops, hold a can of compressed air at arm's length and give the screen a quick blast first.
Step 3. Spray the cloth, not the screen
This is the rule most people break and the single biggest cause of laptop damage from cleaning. Spray two or three pumps of WHOOSH! Screen Shine onto a clean microfibre cloth until the cloth is lightly dampened, not wet. The cloth should feel slightly cool to the touch, not drip if you squeeze it.
Spraying directly onto the screen risks liquid running down into the hinge or the gap between the display and the chassis, both of which laptops are not designed to tolerate.
Step 4. Clean with light pressure and the lid supported
Place the laptop on a flat, stable surface. Use one hand to support the back of the lid while you clean, so the screen does not flex under pressure. Wipe in gentle overlapping circular motions, starting from the centre and working outward. Light pressure only - LCD and IPS panels can develop temporary or permanent pressure marks if you press too hard.
Pay particular attention to the lower third of the screen, which is where keyboard transfer marks concentrate, and the edges where fingerprints from opening the lid accumulate.
Step 5. Buff dry with a clean section
Fold the cloth to expose a dry section, or use a second dry cloth, and pass it over the screen in light overlapping strokes. This picks up any remaining moisture and lifts residue, leaving a streak-free finish. The dry buff is what separates a clean that lasts a day from a clean that lasts a week or two.
Step 6. Don't close the lid yet
Leave the laptop open for a minute or two before closing it. Any residual moisture evaporates completely in that time. Closing a lid with trace moisture on the screen can transfer it back to the keyboard, where it is significantly harder to remove.
What not to use on a laptop screen
Most of the damage we see is caused by people reaching for the wrong product. Here is what to avoid.
Glass cleaner (Windex, Ajax, supermarket sprays)
Household glass cleaners are formulated for windows and mirrors, which are uncoated glass. Laptop screens have functional coatings, including anti-reflective and anti-glare layers, that ammonia degrades with repeated use. Occasional use will not destroy the coating but regular use accelerates wear visibly within a few months.
Rubbing alcohol at full strength
Most laptop manufacturers allow a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe for occasional disinfection, but this is not a regular cleaner. Used weekly, alcohol strips the oleophobic coating the same way ammonia does. Each clean takes a small amount of the coating with it, and the damage accumulates.
Tissues, paper towels and kitchen roll
They feel soft on your hand but they contain wood fibres that act as an abrasive on a thin coating under pressure. Using a tissue to clean a laptop screen is one of the fastest ways to scratch the coating, and the damage is microscopic but cumulative.
Hand sanitiser
Typically 60-80% alcohol plus glycerin. The alcohol strips the coating and the glycerin leaves a residue that attracts dust. If you wiped your laptop with hand sanitiser during and after COVID, the coating has been worn down.
Vinegar and DIY "natural" cleaners
Vinegar is a weak acid that breaks down fluorinated polymer coatings over time. Bicarb is abrasive. Lemon juice is acidic. Any internet cleaning hack involving household ingredients is likely to damage a laptop screen over time, even if it looks clean for the first few uses.
Tap water on its own
Australian tap water contains dissolved calcium and magnesium. When it evaporates off a screen, it leaves a faint mineral film that is harder to remove than the original smudge. Distilled water does not have this problem, but by the time you are using distilled water on a cloth you may as well use a proper cleaner.
Frequently asked questions
Can I clean my laptop screen with wet wipes?
It depends on the wipe. Baby wipes, disinfectant wipes and cleaning wipes designed for hard surfaces are not safe for laptop screens. They typically contain alcohol, ammonia or surfactants that damage screen coatings with repeated use. Wipes designed specifically for electronic screens, such as WHOOSH! Screen Shine Wipes, are safe because the formula is alcohol-free, ammonia-free and designed for oleophobic and anti-reflective coatings.
How do I clean my laptop without damaging it?
Use a cleaner specifically designed for screens applied to a microfibre cloth, never directly onto the screen. Shut the laptop down first, dust with a dry cloth before using any liquid, use light pressure, and leave the lid open for a minute or two after cleaning so any residual moisture evaporates. Avoid glass cleaner, rubbing alcohol, hand sanitiser, tissues and paper towels.
Can I use glasses cleaner on my laptop screen?
It is not recommended. Most pharmacy glasses cleaners are formulated for plastic and glass lenses and often contain alcohol or additives that damage the oleophobic coating on laptop screens. Glasses cleaner wipes often contain propan-2-ol (isopropyl alcohol), which strips the coating. Use a product designed specifically for electronic screens instead.
Can you use toilet paper to clean a laptop screen?
No. Toilet paper, tissues and paper towels contain wood fibres that scratch screen coatings under pressure, even though they feel soft on your hand. The damage is microscopic but cumulative. Use a microfibre cloth, which has fine synthetic fibres that lift oils without abrading the coating.
How do I get rid of keyboard marks on a laptop screen?
Keyboard transfer marks appear in a grid pattern on the lower third of the screen and are caused by skin oils and keyboard residue transferring from the keys when the laptop is closed. They are harder to remove than regular fingerprints because they have been pressed into the surface. Spray WHOOSH! Screen Shine onto a microfibre cloth and wipe in gentle circles with slightly more passes than you would for regular smudges. Do not press harder; use more passes instead. To prevent the marks recurring, clean the top of the keyboard periodically and avoid closing the laptop immediately after using it with oily fingers.
Can I use a UV sanitiser or disinfectant wipe on my laptop screen?
UV sanitisers are fine and do not touch the surface. Disinfectant wipes are not recommended for regular use because most contain quaternary ammonium compounds or alcohol that degrade screen coatings over time. If you need to disinfect a laptop for hygiene reasons, use a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe occasionally and follow it with a proper screen cleaner afterwards to remove any residue.
How often should I clean my laptop screen?
For most users, once every one to two weeks is enough. If you work in a dusty environment, eat at your desk, or share the laptop 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.
Is WHOOSH! safe for all laptop screens?
WHOOSH! is safe for the oleophobic and anti-reflective coatings used on Windows laptops, Chromebooks, gaming laptops, business laptops and standard MacBook Retina displays. The two exceptions are Apple's Nano-texture glass option on 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pro models, and camera lenses. For Nano-texture MacBook Pro displays, follow Apple's specialist cleaning guidance. For camera lenses, use a product designed for optical coatings.
The bottom line
Cleaning a laptop screen is simple when you follow two rules: use an alcohol-free cleaner designed for screens, and always spray the cloth, not the screen. Skip the household glass cleaner, the tissues, the hand sanitiser and every internet cleaning hack. The cumulative damage from the wrong product over a few years costs more than a decade of the right one.
If you want to get set up today, the 500mL Refillable Screen Shine covers every laptop in a household and refills the smaller pocket bottles as they run out. For a single laptop, the Duo 100mL + 8mL is the right size with a spare for travel. Both ship same-day from North Ryde, NSW on orders placed before 2pm.
If you are still comparing screen cleaners, our 2026 buyer's guide to the best screen cleaner in Australia compares WHOOSH! against Laser, Moki and Bright Wipe, the other screen cleaners commonly sold 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. -
What is oleophobic coating?
The science of the layer that repels fingerprints, what destroys it and how to make it last. -
Best screen cleaner in Australia (2026 buyer’s guide)
Compares WHOOSH! against Laser, Moki and Bright Wipe with formula, pricing and sustainability detail.
