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Cleaning school computer screens without guesswork

Screen coatings and device construction vary, so there is no single cleaning liquid to recommend for every school display. Identify the equipment and follow its maker’s care instructions. Keep approved materials clearly labelled, separate routine surface care from specialist cleaning needs and establish who can clean each type of device.

Schools Direct editorialUpdated 2 min read

Find the instructions for the actual screen

Record the model or product family and locate its care instructions through the school’s equipment records. Check the permitted cloth, liquid and application method, along with any requirements for switching off or disconnecting the device. Do not transfer a method from a glass window, another screen or an unverified cleaning-product claim.

Pay attention to accessories and surrounding equipment. A classroom display may have controls, speakers, sensors or connection points near the surface. Staff need a method that avoids introducing liquid into these areas and does not depend on guessing where a protective coating begins or ends.

Create a simple shared-equipment routine

For a trolley of laptops, assign routine inspection to the return process and more thorough cleaning to an authorised scheduled task. Keep the approved cloths and supplies together, with instructions identifying which equipment they suit. Separate dirty cloths from clean ones so grit or residue is not repeatedly carried between screens.

Start with a small practical trial conducted according to the manufacturer’s directions. Check the result under normal light and confirm that staff can complete the procedure without awkward reaching or placing equipment in an unstable position. Record the method in plain language with the equipment set.

Escalate marks that ordinary care does not remove

Persistent marks, damaged coatings or material entering a device should go to the IT or premises team. Repeated rubbing or stronger chemicals can turn an uncertain mark into a maintenance problem. Avoid scraping a screen or dismantling its surround as part of an ordinary cleaning task.

Where infection-control requirements call for additional cleaning, have the relevant staff agree a method compatible with both the health guidance and the device instructions. Keep cleaning products out of informal pupil-accessible supply trays. Review the routine when new equipment arrives, because a familiar-looking replacement may have different care requirements.

Action checklist

  • Identify the exact screen and care instructions.
  • Label approved materials for the equipment they suit.
  • Keep clean and used cloths separate.
  • Refer persistent marks or damaged coatings to the technical team.

Common questions

Is an alcohol-based cleaner suitable for every display?

No general assumption is safe. Use only a method permitted by the manufacturer for the particular screen and its coating.

Sources and scope

Source titles are provided for reference. Check the current original guidance and your school's circumstances before making a policy or compliance decision.

  • Schools Direct editorial — Original school resource planning guidance and worked examples. Checked 1 November 2026.

See how we prepare and maintain our guidance.

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