How to Safely Clean a Tablet Touchscreen (We Tested 4 Methods)

Touchscreens have become an intrinsic part of our lives, including those on tablets. Since it is difficult to carry a laptop everywhere, many people now have a tablet that bridges the gap between a laptop and a mobile phone. Not only are they convenient to carry, you can get most of your work done on the go.

However, constantly working on a tablet, even while you are eating something, can leave the screen covered with oily fingerprints and food crumbs. And it gets worse. Some of you may even be in the habit of taking your tablet with you to the toilet to check your social media feeds while attending to nature’s call. So now, there are bathroom germs on your screen.

Cleaning your tablet regularly and in the right way will not only get rid of the germs and grime but also ensure the longevity of your gadget.

While most tablets come with an instruction manual describing the right way to clean the screen, too many of us throw away those tiny booklets. High-end tablet manufacturers may also suggest using only a specific cleaner, which is nothing more than a marketing gimmick.

If you are clueless about the safest route to get a squeaky-clean tablet screen, you have hit the right link. First things first, cleaning your tablet screen is not rocket science. All you need is a basic microfiber cloth, some household ingredients and strict adherence to basic do’s and don’ts.

Here are four super-easy methods you can choose from to safely clean a tablet touchscreen.

Caution: Always turn off your device before you begin cleaning it. Also, never ever spray or drip any liquid directly on the screen, as it could damage the device.

Method 1: Water & Microfiber Cloth

A good quality microfiber cloth is all you need for basic cleaning of a tablet touchscreen. You do not need to buy an expensive one to get the job done. The cloth that comes with your eyeglasses also will work well enough.

A simple dry rub might suffice, depending on how dirty the screen is. Cleaning the screen with a damp microfiber cloth will definitely take care of fingerprints, grime, and stubborn stains. However, make sure you do not splash or drip water directly on the screen or it could mean the end of your tablet.

Also, do not ever use a paper towel in place of the microfiber cloth. The fibers in paper towels can cause friction and scratch the screen.

Single-Step Treatment: Clean the rim and ports with a cotton swab and then wipe

• Use a cotton swab to pick up dust and grime from the rim of your tablet screen.
• Also, clean the cable port, mic, speakers and headphone jack with the swab. These are common areas for dust to settle in.
• Turn off your device. If it comes with a removable battery, remove it.
• Spray water on a folded microfiber cloth. The cloth should be barely damp, not dripping wet. If there is too much water in it, simply wring it out.
• Begin wiping the screen with the cloth in small circular motions. You may need to apply slight pressure on the stubborn stains, but don’t go overboard.
• Thoroughly wipe the bezel of the screen as well as the rim.Turn over your tablet and wipe its back cover clean as well.
• Once all the stains are sufficiently removed, wipe the screen again with a dry corner of the microfiber cloth.

Method 2: Hand Sanitizer

Just like hand sanitizer helps kill germs on your skin, it can also be used to clean and disinfect your tablet touchscreen. Made with alcohol, sanitizer can easily remove oily fingerprints and stubborn stains, while also killing all the germs.

Caution: If your tablet screen has any special coating, do not use hand sanitizer as it could erode the coating. In that case, stick to Method 1 only.

Single-Step Method: Squeeze sanitizer onto the microfiber cloth & wipe the screen with it

• Fold a microfiber cloth and squeeze 2 or 3 drops or hand sanitizer on it. Do not put the sanitizer directly on the screen.
• Use the damp cloth to wipe your tablet screen in small circular strokes. Continue wiping until all the stains come off.

Method 3: Rubbing Alcohol

Just like hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol can be used to safely clean a tablet touchscreen. In fact, rubbing alcohol can be used in a lot of ways to clean your home.

You will need to dilute the rubbing alcohol first. Using it undiluted can damage any protective coating on your tablet.

Step 1. Prepare the cleaning spray

• Fill a spray bottle halfway with water.
• Fill the remaining half with rubbing alcohol.
• Screw on the nozzle and shake the bottle well.

Step 2. Dampen the microfiber cloth & wipe the screen with it

• Wet the microfiber cloth with the diluted rubbing alcohol. Do not use more than 2 or 3 sprays.
• Use the damp cloth to buff the screen until all the stains are gone.
• Finally, wipe the screen with a dry section of the cloth to get rid of any residual moisture on the screen.

Method 4: White Vinegar

If using hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol on your expensive tablet makes you a little uncomfortable, you can opt for this ultrasafe cleaning ingredient – white vinegar.

Vinegar is a powerful stain remover and disinfectant that is generally safe to use on different surfaces. A quick wipe with diluted vinegar on a microfiber cloth should leave your tablet screen gleaming.

Single-Step Method: Dampen a microfiber cloth with diluted vinegar & wipe the tablet screen with it

• Fill half of a small spray bottle with water and the remaining half with white vinegar.
• Screw the nozzle on and shake the bottle well to mix the two liquids.
• Spray 2 or 3 sprays of the solution on a folded microfiber cloth.
• Use the damp cloth to clean the spots and dirt off your tablet screen.
• Finish by wiping the screen dry with a dry edge of the same cloth.

Tips

• Do not use household cleaners like Windex or other chemicals to clean a tablet touchscreen. They can damage any protective coating on the screen.
• Clean your tablet once weekly to keep it germ-free.
• You can also use a small vacuum cleaner with mild suction power to clean the ports and jack.
• If you accidentally spill liquid on your tablet, take it immediately to an authorized service center.
• You can also use rubbing alcohol to clean your iPad or iPhone screen.
• While white vinegar can be safely used to clean and disinfect your computer screen.