How To Clean Your Electronic Devices

To clean electronics safely, always power the device down first, then wipe it with a dry microfiber cloth to lift dust and smudges. For deeper cleaning, lightly dampen the cloth with distilled water or 70% isopropyl alcohol — never spray liquid directly on the device — and to disinfect, use a bleach-free wipe. Avoid bleach, hydrogen peroxide, acetone, ammonia, and abrasive cleaners, which can strip screen coatings and damage internal parts.

We spend our lives surrounded by electronic devices. However clean you keep your house, when was the last time you gave your phone or laptop a thorough scrubbing? Many people are understandably nervous about cleaning electronics without causing damage — the last thing you want is to get your new phone or computer wet and void its warranty.

Our cleaning Pros are here to help. If you need to know how to clean your electronic devices, look no further than the expert tips below.

Why should you clean your electronic devices regularly?

Keeping electronics clean isn’t just about looks — these devices can harbor microorganisms that affect your health. For example:

1. Germs and viruses can linger on phone screens and keyboards for days, including norovirus and flu viruses — so handling dirty devices can make you sick.
2. The same goes for bacteria, including E. coli. In fact, cell phones may carry up to 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat — a widely cited figure from University of Arizona research.
3. According to the CDC, it’s possible to pick up staph or strep infections from phones and keyboards, as well as dangerous bacterial infections like MRSA.

If you’ve never cleaned your cell phone, laptop, or other devices, read on to learn how to do it properly.

How do you clean a computer?

Your computer is a significant investment, and keeping it working well means keeping it clean. Keyboards, mice, and touchpads are also high-touch surfaces that get overlooked during routine cleaning. In an office, they can quickly become home to whole colonies of germs and bacteria — and if you’ve ever eaten over your keyboard, you know the mess it makes. Follow these Pro tips.

How do you clean a computer screen?

If you haven’t cleaned the screen in a while, you might be surprised how much dust it collects, and fingerprints can reduce a touchscreen’s responsiveness. Wipe it regularly with a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove most dust and smudges.

If it’s very dirty, you might need a screen cleaner — just check it’s suitable for your screen (a cleaner made for glass could damage an LCD, for instance). Surprisingly, the best cleaning solution is distilled water, recommended by every computer manufacturer, including Apple.

Step 1: Unplug and turn off your computer.

Step 2: Wipe the screen with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.

Step 3: Moisten the cloth with a little distilled water — just damp, not dripping.

Step 4: Wipe the screen to remove dirt and smudges.

Step 5: Dry the screen with a clean, dry cloth.

Distilled water almost always does the job. If you need extra cleaning power, use 70% isopropyl alcohol the same way. Avoid sprays, solvents, or harsh cleaners that could damage your computer.

How do you clean a computer keyboard?

Keyboards are notorious for collecting dust, dirt, and crumbs, but they clean up easily.

Step 1: Unplug the keyboard, and remove batteries from wireless devices.

Step 2: Turn it upside down and give it a good shake.

Step 3: Run a damp lint-free cloth over the keys to remove dust and dirt.

Step 4: Use a can of compressed air to remove dirt from under the keys.

Step 5: Dip a Q-tip in a little isopropyl alcohol and run it between the keys.

How do you clean a laptop keyboard?

If the keyboard is built into your computer, turn off the whole machine. Use compressed air to dislodge debris from under the keys, then wipe down the keyboard with a barely moistened microfiber cloth. A soft-bristled brush helps move dust from around the keys.

How do you clean a phone?

Your cell phone goes everywhere with you, so it gets dirty fast — skin oils, pocket lint, and accidental spills all add up. One study found phones harbor thousands of bacteria and viruses, including E. coli. But don’t panic — our Pros know the tricks to keep your phone clean and sanitized.

How do you clean a phone screen?

Clean your phone at least a couple of times a week, ideally more. Think about everywhere it goes with you — it’s no wonder it’s one of the dirtiest objects you touch regularly.

Step 1: Remove the phone from its case and turn it off.

Step 2: Wipe away smudges and dirt with a clean, dry microfiber cloth.

Step 3: Dampen the cloth with a little distilled water for stubborn stains, avoiding the ports.

Step 4: Buff off the moisture with a dry microfiber cloth.

Step 5: Let it air dry for 5-10 minutes.

Step 6: Replace the cover and turn the phone back on.

Most modern phones are water-resistant, so they can get slightly wet without damage. Still, avoid getting water into ports or speaker holes, and dry the phone thoroughly after any contact with moisture.

How do you sanitize a cell phone?

Cleaning isn’t enough — at least once a week, sanitize your phone too, since that’s the only way to kill the bacteria and viruses on its surface. The best way is bleach-free disinfectant wipes like Lysol or Clorox Disinfecting Wipes. Follow the steps above, and after wiping away dirt with a damp cloth, use a disinfecting wipe.

Read the wipe’s instructions — to be effective, you need to apply a minimum amount of solution and leave it on the phone for a few minutes to work.

Can you clean a phone with UV light?

You may have seen UV light cleaners for phones and small electronics. They work — UV light is a very effective disinfectant — but it can only kill bacteria and viruses, not remove smudges or trapped dirt. A UV cleaner can be part of your kit, but it isn’t the whole story. If you buy one, look for a reputable brand with tested, proven results.

How do you clean a TV?

Cleaning a TV used to be easy — large glass screens could handle almost any cleaner. Today’s screens are more delicate, though, and LCD, plasma, and rear-projection screens can be damaged by traditional wet cleaning, so follow these steps.

Step 1: Turn off the TV at the wall.

Step 2: Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove dust and smudges — a light touch only, never pressing on the screen.

Step 3: Spot-clean tough marks with a wipe designed for electronics.

Step 4: Dry the screen with a microfiber cloth.

Step 5: Turn the TV back on.

Avoid pre-treated dusting cloths marketed as screen cleaners — they’re often embedded with polishing oil that leaves greasy marks. A little distilled water is safer.

Never spray liquids onto the screen; apply them by lightly moistening a cloth. Sprayed liquid can get inside the unit and cause internal damage, and too much force can pressure-damage the screen.

Once you’ve cleaned the TV, don’t forget the remote — remove the batteries and use Clorox or Lysol disinfecting wipes to remove dirt and germs.

Can you clean electronics with alcohol?

Alcohol is a good electronics cleaner, but use the right type: a 70% solution of isopropyl alcohol. It’s sold in concentrations from 60-90%, but 70% solutions are the most effective at killing bacteria in the shortest time.

Final thoughts

Keeping your electronics clean controls germs in your home and makes your devices easier to use — dust and fingerprints build up on screens faster than you’d think, and you may not realize how much they’ve dulled your viewing until after you clean them. Many people skip it, either through forgetfulness or fear of damaging delicate devices.

You can clean electronics very effectively with a simple microfiber cloth to remove dust and dirt. To sanitize, add a bleach-free disinfectant wipe or 70% isopropyl alcohol — making your home a healthier place to live.

FAQ

Can I use alcohol wipes to clean electronics?

You can, but we prefer a microfiber cloth dipped in alcohol, so you can control how much you use.1

Is it safe to clean electronics while they’re turned on?

No. Disconnect the device from any power source and turn it off before cleaning, then turn it back on when you’re done.2

Which cleaning products should you never use on electronics?

Never use bleach or any cleaner containing chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, acetone, paint thinner, benzene, methylene chloride, toluene, ammonia, or ethyl alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol (70%) is fine.

Citations

1 PC Magazine (2025, March 22). 11 Must-Know Tips for Cleaning Every Electronic Device the Right Way. PCMag. Retrieved July 24, 2025, from https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/disinfect-clean-electronics-viruses-germs

2 Springfield Technical Community College. Cleaning and Disinfecting Electronics. STCC. Retrieved July 18, 2025, from https://www.stcc.edu/resources/academic-support/information-technology/cleaning-disninfecting-electronics/