Living items · Laptop care

Clean laptop screen marks without spraying liquid directly

Power down, disconnect cables and clean the display with a suitable soft lint-free cloth following your laptop maker's guidance.

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Wikimedia Commons · Sam Lionheart / iFixit; Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Original photograph, no modifications. · CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗

Spraying cleaner onto a laptop display can force liquid into openings. Apple advises shutting down and disconnecting MacBooks, then wiping the screen with a soft, lint-free cloth lightly dampened with water. Avoid abrasive materials and household window cleaners. Nano-texture displays and non-Apple laptops have their own instructions.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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Check your laptop's model and display finish; read the manufacturer's cleaning instructions, especially for special coatings.
Shut down the computer, disconnect the charger and peripherals and work on a cool screen with dry hands.
Use a clean, soft, lint-free cloth to gently remove loose dust without rubbing hard.
For a standard MacBook display, slightly dampen the cloth with water and wipe marks softly. Never spray liquid onto the screen.
Do not use acetone, window cleaner, ammonia, abrasive cloths or paper towels. Verify any alcohol use against the exact screen's instructions.
Reconnect power only after the screen and edges are fully dry. If marks are coating damage or the display malfunctions, seek service instead of scrubbing.

Your try-it-at-home checklist

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