How to Clean a Touch Screen Safely

The everyday method

A micro-fibre cloth removes most smudges on its own. The author keeps a large and a small one in a tablet sleeve, and a sunglasses cloth works too. For a bit more cleaning power, a little warm breath on the glass fogs it slightly, and the cloth then lifts the mark with very light pressure.

Deeper cleaning

After a heavy session of fingerprints, such as a child using a tablet for a while, a slightly more careful routine helps.

1. Fill a small spray bottle with plain water.
2. Mist the screen with a tiny amount of water.
3. Rub the cloth over the glass in circular motions until the smudge is gone.
4. Finish with a dry part of the cloth.

What to avoid

• Your shirt, unless you are sure it is clean and the fabric will not scratch.
• Too much water, which can get into the device and damage it.
• Soaps and household cleaners, since some can harm the glass.

Screen protectors

A protector can keep scratches off the glass, but it needs cleaning too. The author said applying one to a large tablet looked difficult and noted that the tablet screen already used Gorilla Glass, so the main complaint was fingerprints, not scratches.