Do not ever use Clorox, Windex, or Lysol cleaning products on your electronic devices. Smartphone screens should only be cleaned with alcohol-based cleaners, such as lens cleaning wipes you would use to clean your eyeglasses.
Before we dive into cleaning your screens, let's discuss a few mistakes you should never make when cleaning a smartphone touchscreen. Don't use harsh chemicals, including Windex, disinfectant wipes, diluted bleach, anything with ammonia, or alcohol-based cleaners.
DO use a lint-free microfiber cloth to clean your screens. Even if not initially visible, materials other than soft microfiber cloths (even paper towels) can cause scratches on your phone's screen, which then build up over time.
Avoid using any cleaners that contain ammonia, alcohol, or other harsh chemicals. Stick to warm water and a microfiber cloth, or use a cleaning solution specifically designed for touchscreen displays.
No, it is not recommended to clean your TV with Windex or any other glass cleaner that contains ammonia. Ammonia can damage the anti-glare coating on the screen and cause discoloration or other damage. Instead, use a microfiber cloth or a soft, lint-free cloth to gently wipe the screen.
Don't use window cleaners, household cleaners, compressed air, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean your iPhone unless following the instructions for disinfecting your iPhone. The front glass surface has an oleophobic coating.
What Can I Clean on My Monitor? Use a “screen-cleaning cloth” or a “soft cloth with IPA (or water)”. Avoid ethanol, rubbing alcohol, and bleach, which can damage the monitor's surface. For the best results, clean your screen with a slightly dampened cloth, ideally a microfiber one—do not spray directly on the screen.
Protect your screen
Do not use window and kitchen cleaners, as they may damage the protective coating on your screen. Do not use rubbing alcohol, paper towels, compressed air, dish soap or vinegar. All of these can damage your phone: Paper towels can scratch your screen, and vinegar could damage its coating.
Start by removing any dust from the screen with a dry microfiber cloth. For fingerprints and smudges, spray 70% isopropyl alcohol onto a cloth, or use a pre-moistened alcohol wipe or a Clorox Disinfecting Wipe, to clean non-porous surfaces like the screen; do not use bleach.
Making this screen-cleaning spray couldn't be easier. Simply combine one part alcohol and one part distilled water in the spray bottle.
If you don't have access to Lysol wipes, a Clorox wipe is okay to use — Apple has updated its advice in the last year to say that Clorox-branded disinfecting wipes and other common disinfectants are safe to use on your phone. Or, you can try a mixture of mild soap and water applied to a microfiber cloth.
Take off your phone case, and turn off your mobile phone. Use a microfiber cloth (not paper towels) with a mild cleaning solution, like a 50-50 mixture of water and Isopropyl alcohol. Spray the cloth—never your tech—and wipe down both sides of your phone, special care of the protective coating.
There are many different formulations of Windex. The ingredients vary between products, but they typically contain surfactants, solvents, and dyes. These chemicals are irritating when swallowed and can cause unwanted signs and symptoms including vomiting and abdominal pain.
Use a Windex® Electronics Wipe to remove fingerprints, grime and other unsavory smudges from the screen, keyboard and plastic casing.
Use only a soft, lint-free cloth, like microfiber, to wipe away smudges. Abrasive materials, such as rough cloths, towels and paper towels, could scratch the glass and damage the oil-repelling coating on the glass screen. Let everything air dry before you pop your case back on.
Microfibre cloth - Using a cheap microfibre cloth is often the most simple yet effective way to keep electronic screens clean. In circular motions, use the soft fabric to remove any marks without leaving the glass further smudged or scratched.
Use a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth. Gently wipe the screen in circular motions. For stubborn marks, use a damp cloth slightly moistened with distilled water. Ensure the cloth is not overly wet to prevent moisture from seeping into the edges of the screen.
All Glass Cleaners Are Not Created Equal
Do not ever use Clorox, Windex, or Lysol cleaning products on your electronic devices. Smartphone screens should only be cleaned with alcohol-based cleaners, such as lens cleaning wipes you would use to clean your eyeglasses.
Can I use isopropyl alcohol directly on the screen to clean tough stains? It's not recommended to apply isopropyl alcohol directly on the screen. Instead, dampen a microfiber cloth with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol and water mixture. Excessive alcohol can harm the screen coatings, so use it sparingly.
Display Screen Cleaning — 6K, LPD Tile and LCD
NEVER clean a Prysm display screen with hand sanitizer, nail polish remover, window cleaner, vodka or any cleaning solution containing alcohol (except as noted below), ammonia, solvents or acetone. These can damage the screen and void the warranty.
Avoid using Windex on a screen. It's only made for glass, and can be too harsh for delicate computer screens, says Button. And skip things like eyeglass cleaner, which won't disinfect. Your dry cloth will pick up particles and germs, says Button.
On top of this, the actual wipes or cloths can also scratch the screen. Even though pre-moistened baby wipes seem convenient, they're really not a good idea.