MacBook, Surface, OLED TV, Galaxy Book Screen Cleaning
Apple, Microsoft, LG and Samsung support pages state whether 70% isopropyl alcohol and microfiber cloths are approved for MacBook, Surface, OLED TV, monitor and Galaxy Book screens, checked 2026-10-01.
TV, laptop and monitor screens: OLED TV panels, Retina/Liquid Retina laptop displays, PixelSense/LCD laptop and tablet screens, and LCD/LED PC monitor screens
What do Apple, LG, Microsoft and Samsung say about using microfiber cloths and isopropyl alcohol to clean TV, laptop and monitor screens?
| Surface | Soil | Method | Don'ts | Product | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook/MacBook Pro display | fingerprints and smudges | Shut down the Mac and unplug the power adapter; dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with water only and wipe the screen; for stubborn smudges, wipe gently with a 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) wipe, a 75% ethyl alcohol wipe, or a Clorox Disinfecting Wipe | Bleach, hydrogen peroxide, aerosol sprays, and spraying liquid directly onto the display | Clorox Disinfecting Wipes | Apple Support |
| Surface laptop and tablet screen | fingerprints and smudges | Dampen a soft, lint-free (microfiber) cloth with water and a small amount of mild soap for routine cleaning; for disinfection, lightly dampen a soft lint-free white cloth with a 70% or less isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution and wipe the exterior and screen | Glass cleaner, other chemical cleaners, and excessive wiping pressure | - | Microsoft Support |
| LG OLED/4K/LED TV screen | dust, fingerprints and smudges | Unplug the TV; wipe with a soft microfiber cloth; for stubborn stains, slightly dampen the cloth with lukewarm water, wipe in gentle circular motions, dry with a dry microfiber cloth, and let the screen air-dry before plugging the TV back in | Alcohol, benzene, ammonia, acetone, other volatile chemicals or detergents, and spraying water directly onto the screen | - | LG Support |
| Samsung monitor screen | dust, fingerprints and dried stains | Turn off the monitor and disconnect the power cables; wipe gently with a soft microfiber cloth; dampen the cloth with a small amount of distilled water for routine cleaning, or for tough stains use slightly warm distilled water or a very mild solution of one drop of dish soap diluted in distilled water applied to the cloth | Window cleaners, soaps, wax, alcohol, solvents, ammonia, abrasive pads, paper towels, and spraying water or detergent directly onto the screen | - | Samsung Support |
| Samsung Galaxy Book screen and keyboard | fingerprints and smudges | Wipe with a soft, non-abrasive, lint-free double-sided microfiber cloth; for deeper cleaning, apply a small amount of water to the microfiber cloth, wipe the screen, then dry it thoroughly with the microfiber cloth | Paper towels, facial tissues, rough or coarse cloths, household cleaners, and applying liquid cleaners directly to the device | - | Samsung Support |
FAQs
Does Apple approve 70% isopropyl alcohol for cleaning a MacBook screen?
Yes. Apple support states a cloth moistened with a 70% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) solution, a 75% ethyl alcohol wipe, or a Clorox Disinfecting Wipe may be used to gently wipe the display, after first trying a cloth dampened with water only.
Does Microsoft allow isopropyl alcohol and microfiber cloths on a Surface screen?
Yes. Microsoft support states a soft lint-free (microfiber) cloth dampened with water and mild soap is used for routine cleaning, and a 70%-or-less IPA solution on a lint-free cloth may be used for disinfection.
Does LG recommend alcohol or microfiber cloths for an OLED TV screen?
LG support recommends a soft microfiber cloth, dampened with lukewarm water for stubborn stains, and states alcohol, benzene, ammonia and acetone should not be used on the screen.
Does Samsung allow alcohol on laptop or monitor screens cleaned with microfiber cloths?
No. Samsung support states microfiber cloths with distilled water (or a very mild diluted dish-soap solution for tough monitor stains) are used, while products containing alcohol, solvents or ammonia are listed to avoid on both Samsung monitors and Galaxy Book screens.