Can You Use Windex On A Computer Screen? (Explained)

Is your computer screen dirty with dust and debris?

As the world is moving towards the trend of remote work, using the monitor screen throughout the day has become a norm.

You may be eating at your desk or using your computer close to a window.

If you want to clean your computer screen with Windex but aren’t sure if it is safe or not, let’s discuss it in this article.

Can You Use Windex On A Computer Screen?

Yes, you can use Windex on a computer screen to clean it and remove all the collected dust and debris.

However, cleaning a computer screen is much more than simply wiping it down.

You need to be careful about lots of details.

Computer screens are highly sensitive, and any abrasive, harsh chemical, or excess water can ruin the smooth functioning and soft touch of your computer or laptop.

Windex is an ideal solution to make the computer screen squeaky clean like new, but there is a proper way of using Windex.

What Makes Windex A Good Option To Clean Computer Screens?

The Chemical Composition!

The newly formulated Windex is an environmentally-friendly cleaner that, according to Material Safety and Data Sheets, contains the following chemical components:

2-Butoxyethanol
Isopropyl Alcohol
Water
Ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether
Fragrance
Blue dye

Let’s dive into the details of these chemical ingredients one by one.

1. Isopropanol (Rubbing Alcohol)

The primary component of Windex is isopropyl alcohol.

It is a highly flammable liquid used as a cleaning agent in many industries.

It kills the microorganisms and removes the stubborn dirt and germ particles by dissolving them and waiting for them to dry and evaporate, leaving the surfaces squeaky clean and free of dirt with no marks or streaks at all.

That is why it is counted as one of the best sterilization agents.

2. 2-Butoxyethanol

The second compound is 2-butoxyethanol.

It was not present in the original Windex formula, but it constitutes a significant part of the new formula.

It has a very sweet aroma and can dissolve and clean the hard dirt particles like ink, greases, oil, etc., accumulated on the computer screen.

Due to its strong cleaning action, it is present in dry cleaning solutions, oil dispersants, whiteboard cleaners, floor slippers, and other products.

3. Ethylene Glycol N-Hexyl Ether

Although the above two agents are excellent cleaning agents, Ethylene glycol n-hexyl ether has something special.

It acts as a surfactant and detergent that not only helps us get rid of marks, grimes, and greases but also keeps them from setting back again.

4. Water

Last but not least, a proportion of water is ideal in Windex to keep the mixture mild yet effective.

How To Clean Your Computer Screen With Windex

Cleaning a computer screen or laptop screen with Windex is not a hard thing.

All you need to do is follow the given steps:

Step 1

The first step is to turn off your computer and remove any power cables.

It is better to work on a screen that is turned off because it enables the human eye to see more streaks, dust, and smudges on a black screen as compared to that on a bright screen.

Moreover, if the screen is turned on, you may not see the water particles, and they could seep down into your screen or keyboard without you knowing.

Remove the charger and power supply, and work on a computer that’s shut down.

Step 2

Now take out a microfiber cloth, and start to wipe your screen with it.

All the dust particles will get removed.

If that is the only dirt on your computer screen, a quick wiping can clear it out.

However, in most cases, this is just an initial step.

Remember to wipe the screen gently with a cloth as applying a lot of pressure can damage the whole screen or a few pixels of it.

Step 3

Although dust and some loose particles get cleaned by using a microfiber cloth, this isn’t the end of the game.

To remove stubborn sneeze particles, grime, oily fingerprints, etc., you need to have a strong acting agent.

It’s time to take out your Windex solution.

However, if you don’t want to use Windex, we have listed some alternatives in the next section.

Sprinkle a few drops of Windex on a cloth, squeeze out the excess cleaning solution, and slowly clean the screen using broad strokes.

Never apply the liquid directly to the screen as the excess liquid drops can manage to trick down, and enter the computer or laptop screen, thus damaging the inner components.

Applying the strokes in straight lines, either from left to right or top to bottom, is preferable instead of circular motion.

Step 4

Now, wait for your screen to dry.

You can also dry it faster and use a soft microfiber cloth.

However, be sure to clean the screen before turning on the computer to ensure that the screen is completely dry.

Safe Products To Clean Computer Screen

Keeping some cleaning supplies at your home can be a great way to easily clean your computer or laptop screens.

Here are some of the products or equipment you can use to clean the computer screen.

Cloths And Wipes

With multiple wipes and cloths out there in the market, not all of them are safe for cleaning your sensitive computer screen.

Here are a few options to go for:

1. Microfiber Cloth

The first and safest wipe to opt for is a microfiber cloth.

It also manages to pick up the smallest dirt particles, which is why it is used to clean extra-sensitive photography lenses.

It is equally safe for your computer screen as well.

And the best part is that you don’t need to clean or maintain it too much.

Just occasionally wash them to remove the dirt.

2. Lens Wipe

Another option to consider is a lens wipe.

It is equally effective in removing dirt and debris.

However, the problem is that they are disposable, and you need more lens wipes to clean your computer screen.

An alternative to a lens wipe is a screen wipe.

It has a combination of wet and dry textures and dries soon after you use them to prevent electronics from getting damaged at all.

Cleaning Solutions

Next moving towards choosing the cleaning solutions, many of them are available in the market.

However, not each of them works equally well and is safe.

You need to have a detailed look at the chemical components present in them.

A few cleaning solutions to try out are:

Glass cleaners: Glass cleaners like Windex, which we just discussed above, do wonders because of their best composition. A few other options are Mr. Muscle, Magiclean, etc.
Dish soaps: Dish soaps and general cleaners can also be used to wash the monitor screen. However, ensure they aren’t too liquidy as this can damage your electronics.
Isopropyl alcohol: 90% isopropyl alcohol is the second best option after Windex as it not only has an equally good cleansing action but also dries out very quickly. As a result, it can’t enter or sweep into the monitor.

Unsafe Products To Clean Computer Screen

Some of the products that you should avoid using to clean a computer screen are:

Tissue paper, kitchen towels, rags, and simple tissues are all very good absorbents. The problem is that they leave micro scratches on the monitor screen.
Similarly, strong and harsh chemicals like caustic soda, stain remover, bleach, etc., are very abrasive, leave your monitor screen scratched, and can even damage it.

3 Alternatives To Windex To Clean Computer Screen

If you don’t want to use Windex to clean your computer screen, here are three alternatives that you can go for.

1. Swiffer Duster

The easiest way out is to get a Swiffer duster.

It has extra flexible and soft microfiber that flexes to the edges and surface equally and hence cleans the ridges too.

2. Microfiber Cloth

Another option is to take a microfiber cloth and wipe your screen to loosen all the tough food particles and debris.

3. 70% Isopropyl Alcohol

Last but not least comes the isopropyl alcohol method.

Take a few drops of isopropyl alcohol on a microfiber cloth, and wipe the screen gently with it.

It will absorb all the dust and grime, leaving the screen like new.

The best part of isopropyl alcohol is that it makes the screen crystal clear and dries quickly, leaving no chance to damage the screen or the inner machinery.

Some General Tips To Keep The Computer Screen Clean

Once you have cleaned the computer screen, here are some tips to keep the screen clean for the next time.

Most of the time, the laptop screen gets dirt from the keyboard soon after we close the laptop.

Try to keep the keyboard clean, and put a plastic sheet or microfiber cloth on the keyboard before closing the computer to prevent the transfer of dirt.

Also, try to cover your laptop or computer screen with a plastic bag or cloth when not in use so that it encounters the least amount of dust.

Similarly, avoid touching oil or dirty hands on the computer screen.