Short answer: Display a fullscreen white background, note every mark, dry-wipe dust away, then use a lightly damp microfiber cloth. Check again on white to confirm streaks are gone.
Cleaning blind — without seeing residue — is how people press too hard and leave scratches. A solid white field turns your display into a inspection surface.
Why white beats your normal wallpaper
Icons, photos, and dark mode hide oily fingerprints along the bottom edge and fine dust in the corners. Full white exposes:
- Greasy swipe marks from trackpad users
- Dry dust trails after a quick shirt-sleeve wipe
- Streaks left by the wrong cleaner
Open the TestMyGears white screen, go fullscreen, and scan slowly before you touch the glass.
Safe supplies
- Microfiber cloth (lint-free; no paper towels)
- Distilled water, or half distilled water / half white vinegar for stubborn grime
- Optional: manufacturer-approved screen solution for coated panels
Skip ammonia window spray, abrasive sponges, and magic erasers. Never spray liquid directly on the panel.
Step-by-step cleaning
- Shut down or lock the display if you prefer a black panel while wiping (optional on modern LCD/OLED).
- Inspect on white fullscreen. Mark mentally where smudges sit.
- Dry pass: glide the cloth in one direction to lift dust.
- Damp pass: wet only the cloth, use gentle circular motion from center outward.
- Re-check on white. Missed streaks show instantly.
- Finish on black if you want to confirm no haze remains on dark content.
Phones and tablets
The same workflow applies. Hold the device under a desk lamp, open white fullscreen in the mobile browser, and clean before replacing a glass protector.
How often to clean
| Device | Light wipe | Deep clean |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop monitor | Weekly | Monthly |
| Laptop with daily travel | Every few days | Bi-weekly |
| Touchscreen | As needed | Weekly |
Mistakes that damage panels
- Pressing hard on thin laptop lids
- Rubbing grit in circles before dry dust is gone
- Cleaning while the panel is hot after gaming or charging
Related: How to test dead pixels (always clean before a pixel test) · Display uniformity check