You can gently wipe down your laptops screen once, taking care to not touch any openings (including ports or speakers).

Others might be worried about viruses and bacteria during flu season especially as most can potentially live on surfaces for several days, including the novel coronavirus, which is why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending that people disinfect high touch surfaces when possible.

But cleaning the screen is more delicate than wiping down the rest of your laptop; some cleaners can be abrasive, and using too much liquid could cause your laptop and monitor to short altogether.

And yet, unlike other electronics, a glass screen or LCD monitor can attract pesky streaks easily ( just like stainless steel ).

Most importantly, says Carolyn Forte, the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, is that people should avoid Windex or any other glass cleaner that youd find in the cleaning aisle.

More so, the most common form of Windex the plain variety isnt meant for disinfecting, so its not killing germs like a true disinfectant would, she explains.

While its certainly effective at removing streaks on glass, Forte says using a clean microfiber cloth before and after you attempt to clean your laptops screen is the right way to go to remove any streaks or imperfections and t hat a real disinfectant product could better kill and remove germs from your screen.

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Others, depending on the kind of screen they use, may be able to completely disinfect the surface, which kills germs on surfaces or objects entirely, and further lower the risk of spreading infection overall.

Use Your Cleaner Mac And PC

Here, Forte weighs in on some questions regarding cleaning your laptop or computer screen, which can be a very different process for Mac and PC users.

Plus, she shares a process that should allow you to get rid of dust, oily marks, and germs safely without putting your machine at risk.

What cleaning product can I use to clean my computer screen Its a common question, but the answer is complicated, as there are hundreds of laptop manufacturers and even more when it comes to monitors, and they all advertise different solutions.

It comes down to whether or not glass is part of your laptops screen: For Mac users, this is often the case, but some PC models may not have a glass covering over their LCD screens.

Use Your Cleaner Manual If Possible

When in doubt, refer to your users manual if possible, or reach out to your laptops manufacturer online via email or on-site support chats to learn more, Forte says.

Apple just updated its advice for its customers due to inquiries around the steady rise of the novel coronavirus, clarifying that products like Clorox-branded disinfecting wipes are safe to use on their products if used carefully but some devices, like the Apple Pro Display XDR, may have their own instructions that are independent of the manufacturers general advice.

Since laptops are routinely handled, Forte says you shouldnt aim to completely disinfect your device, as it wont stay disinfected for long.

While Lysol wipes in particular need to remain wet on hard surfaces for 4 minutes to safely kill viruses and bacteria, you only need to let your screen air dry after youve sufficiently wiped it down.

Simply wiping the surface down will greatly sanitize your screen in the first place.

You want to make sure that no excess water, cleaner, or liquid gets inside your laptop.

Always spray a cloth first if you are trying to use aerosols or sprays.

Heres how you can safely use Lysol wipes to sanitize a non-LCD laptop screen: Be sure to unplug your laptop from its power source, and turn it off if possible (do the same for monitors).

First, use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe down your screen; remove dust, scuffs and any other surface-level fingerprints if possible.

Then, wring out a Lysol disinfecting wipe to ensure its not oversaturated.

How To Use Your Mac Cleaner