can you clean an lcd screen with windex in stock

Screens can scratch easily, and even paper towels and tissues contain fibers that can do damage. “Your best bet is to use a soft, anti-static microfiber cloth—the kind used to clean eyeglasses and camera lenses—and wipe in a circular motion,” says John Walsh, who cleans more than 250 TVs a year in his role as a CR photographer. (Some TV manufacturers will include a cloth for this purpose.) “Gently wipe the screen with a dry cloth to remove dust and other debris, but don’t press too hard,” he says.

You may also want to wipe down the TV’s cabinet, and make sure dust isn’t clogging the vents that help dissipate heat. If the TV is on a stand and not tethered to the wall, Walsh suggests cleaning with one hand while supporting the TV with the other to prevent the set from tipping over. However, CR strongly recommends anchoring all stand-mounted TVs using anti-tipping straps designed for this purpose.

If there are hard-to-remove stains, you can dampen the cloth slightly with distilled water and gently clean the screen. Don’t spray water directly onto the screen; that could cause a shock or component failure if water seeps into the inner workings of the set.

For the most stubborn stains, you can try using a solution of very mild dish soap highly diluted with water, once again applied to the cloth and not to the TV itself. (As a guideline, Panasonic used to recommend a 100:1 ratio of water to soap.) LCD screens, in particular, are very sensitive to pressure and can scratch easily, so don’t press hard.

Let"s be real: Your TV screen is probably dirty. Sometimes, the dirtiness of a TV screen can go unnoticed, particularly if you spend a good amount of time watching bright, colorful content that minimizes the appearance of smudges and grime.

Like sunglasses, mirrors, and windows, TVs are best left free of smudge, spots, and fingerprints. Unfortunately, there"s a ton of misinformation out there about the best (and safest) ways to wipe away the blemishes on a TV. After all, these aren"t just any old surfaces—they"re expensive and often delicate pieces of technology.

Here"s the good news: Once you understand the basics, freeing your spot-covered TV of your kid"s oily palm prints couldn"t be simpler. Just remember: a clean screen means a clean scene.

Window cleaners contain harsh chemicals (like alcohol, ammonia, and lauramine oxide) that can do damage to LCD and OLED panels. One reason people assume that surface cleaners are still copacetic for TVs is because old-school CRT TVs could stand up against Windex, thanks in part to their glass screens. These days? The less liquid you use, the better.

Believe it or not, even the densest of fingerprints can be wiped away without the use of any moisture. It is important, however, to use the right type of cloth or towel when cleaning, otherwise you run the risk of scratching the panel.

Always use a microfiber cloth or towel—like the ones that come with a new pair of glasses—to clean your TV screen. Avoid using standard tissues or paper towels. Go to work on the problem areas with gentle, circular motions. Avoid applying too much pressure to the panel. If you"re dealing with some stubborn, oily stains that just won"t cooperate, resist the urge to exert more force. Instead, try moisturizing the cloth with a small amount of warm water.

Generally speaking, dedicated screen-cleaning solutions are OK for LCD/LED and OLED TVs, but if you decide to use screen cleaner, make sure the formula does not include alcohol or ammonia.

If you decide to use water or some sort of cleaner, do not spray the screen directly. Instead, lightly moisten your microfiber cloth before wiping the your TV screen.

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As the weather warms, it"s time for everyone"s "favorite" pastime: spring cleaning. While you"re dusting off the shelves and shoveling out a winter"s worth of detritus, spare a moment to check your TV. Dust and grime can accumulate there, and over time it can become more and more noticeable. And if you have children, there may be an array of fingerprints and other smears on the screen.

The short version? Don"t use liquids, don"t press too hard, don"t use any traditional cleaners. Microfiber cloths are good, but be gentle. Modern TVs are predominantly plastic and therefore far easier to scratch than windows or your phone.

Want the longer version? Here"s what the top TV manufacturers say about cleaning their screens:Cleaning your 4K, OLED, or LED TV screen with a soft, dry cloth is recommended. The goal here is to avoid scratching the screen. Gentle, circular motions tend to give better results, since the circular motion hits each area from several angles in a single swipe.

Caution: Don"t spray water or other liquids directly on the TV, as electric shock could occur.Turn the TV off and let it cool down for a few minutes before unplugging it.

To clean the frame and screen, gently wipe it with a microfiber cleaning cloth. Make sure to wipe the TV frame and screen as gently as possible. TV screens are fragile and can be damaged when pressed too hard.

Important: Never use any type of window cleaner, soap, scouring powder, wax, or any cleanser with solvents such as alcohol, benzene, ammonia, or acetone. Never use abrasive pads or paper towels. If you do, you can scratch the screen or strip the anti-glare coating off the screen and cause permanent damage. Never spray water directly onto the TV. Make sure to wipe the TV as gently as possible. TV screens are fragile and can be damaged when pressed too hard.Gently wipe the screen or the exterior with a dry, soft cloth, such as an eyeglass cleaner.

For inks from oil markers on the screen, soak a cloth in a non-soap synthetic cleanser diluted (by less than 1% ) with water. Squeeze the cloth tightly to eliminate excess liquid, then wipe gently to remove the ink. Use non-soap cleansers cautiously because it may cause environmental problems when disposed improperly.

So why not Windex? Regular Windex is formulated for glass windows, plus a few other surfaces. It contains ammonia and alcohol, not the friendliest of chemicals. S. C. Johnson doesn"t explicitly say not to use Windex on TVs, but it offers Windex Electronics wipes and cleaners, so infer what you will. The better screen cleaners will clearly state that they do not contain alcohol or ammonia.

At last count, I found a billion companies making TV screen cleaners. Almost all of these are something like 99 percent water, 1 percent other stuff. Years ago I tested a handful and found them, on average, to work well enough. If you don"t have luck with a simple cloth and possibly distilled water, a screen cleaner is worth a try, and as a bonus you can also use it for your laptop, tablet and cell phone screens. Plus, they come with a microfiber cloth. If they don"t clearly state they don"t contain alcohol and ammonia, however, I would skip them.

So yeah, cleaning your TV is a good idea. But just remember that they"re exceptionally fragile. Why risk marring their surface by using cleaning methods the companies themselves don"t advise? If you damage your screen with cleaners, you won"t be able to fix it.

My advice? Get a nice microfiber cloth (if your TV didn"t come with one), and use that. If that doesn"t fix your smudges, try a cloth moist with water. Don"t press too hard. There"s less than a millimeter between your finger and a broken TV.

Screen cleaning kits are fine, though most people won"t need them. Remember, like all TV accessories, the store is selling them because they probably make more profit on that $20 kit than on a $500 TV.

As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000 mile road trips, and more. Check out Tech Treks for all his tours and adventures.

He wrote a bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines, along with a sequel. You can follow his adventures on Instagram and his YouTube channel.

To clean your remote, first pop out the batteries and replace the cover on the battery enclosure. Gently tap the remote against a hard surface, button side down, to break free any crumbs or dirt that may have lodged themselves inside the device.

Next, grab your moistened wipe and give it a good wringing so that it’s not sopping wet. Use it to clean both sides of the remote, paying special attention to any crevices you suspect are harboring dirt.

Your speakers likely have removable fabric covers, but you’ll want to check your owner’s manual just to be sure. If they’re removable, pop them off and use a vacuum extension to hoover up any dust, dirt, or lint that may be stuck inside of them. If your speaker covers are fixed into place, you can try vacuuming the outside of their covers or using a lint roller.

If your speakers are made of a nonporous material (like plastic or varnished wood) use a damp cloth to clean them, wiping with the direction of the grain, whether the cabinet is made of real wood or wood veneer. After, wipe down with a dry cloth.

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Every movie looks outstanding when you purchase a quality TV. Sometimes, it feels like watching it in real-time. However, to keep the screen quality, you need to clean it. Can Windex help in this situation? We have the answers for you!

Windex is reliable when you want to keep glass squeaky clean. Unfortunately, it does more damage than cleaning regarding TVs. Cleaners like Windex contain alcohol and ammonia. When you use it on a TV screen, it leaves smears because of its acidity.

Since you can"t use Windex, it raises the question of what you can use to clean a TV. There"s a lot that goes on on TV screens. Some manufacturers use protective coatings. And, if you use Windex, it wipes them off. To learn more on this topic, keep reading.

TV screens are more delicate than you think they are. It doesn"t take much to make a quality screen look like a trainwreck. You will read most of the warnings in the user manual.

Most manufacturers will recommend against using any cleaners. The reason is that they can"t account for the chemicals the cleaners will use. Cleaners can contain ingredients that aren"t friendly to the screen.

It"s a problem because some manufacturers use anti-glare coatings. A few sprays of cleaner will be enough to remove it. In addition, there"s no way to regain the anti-glare coating.

As a result, you"ll have to deal with a screen containing dull spots. Alcohol and ammonia are two ingredients that aren"t friendly to the anti-reflective coating. Most Windex cleaning productsincludeat least one of these ingredients.

For this reason, it"s best to avoid using it on a TV. In general, it"s better to avoid using any cleaners. It could void your warranty. Check your TV"s owner"s manual, just in case.

If we can"t use cleaners like Windex, what can we use? Would a simple wipe with a paper towel do the trick? After all, most of the grime on a TV screen should be dust.

There should be no drinks, sauces, or other liquids on the TV screen. If there is, you might have put yourself in a tricky situation. In any case, you can"t use any random material on the screen.

Paper towels, tissues, and toilet paper are wood-based products. In other words, they contain tiny abrasive materials that aren"t obvious initially. However, each time you use one of these to wipe your TV screen, you leave micro-scratches.

As the scratches accumulate, it creates dull spots on the screen. As mentioned, TV screens are delicate. The same rules apply to any screen, for that matter.

TV, computer, and phone screens require specific tools and cleaners. Anything else will wipe off the protective coatings [oleophobic, anti-glare, anti-reflective coatings].

Some of us live by the cleaners. Cleaners are the only way to ensure all the muck and grime disappear off surfaces. If you must use one, Windex does have a line of electronic wipes.

Does it clean TV screens well enough without leaving streaks and smudges? The answer will depend on the brand of TV. These wipes include ethanol. Accordingly, ethanol isn"t friendly for most electronic screens.

You"ll have to rely on the manufacturer"s advice instead. The best cleaner to use on a TV screen is none. We can"t recommend a cleaner because there"s a risk of ruining your screen.

All you need is a microfiber cloth. Start by wiping the top of the screen. Then, work your way down. Of course, don"t forget to wipe the bezels. The back of the TV should receive some cleaning too.

It"s worth mentioning that you don"t need to apply any pressure. Wipe it with the cloth gently. Otherwise, you might mess with some of the electronic components behind the screen.Aggressively cleaning the screen can leave you with some dead spots or dead pixels.

Of course, we"re not always living in an orderly household. Children or maybe even adults might touch the screen with their bare hands. It"s a bad situation because it leaves fingerprints.

At worst, it leaves smudges that are hard to ignore. Since cleaners are out of the equation, we"ll need the help of water. However, we can"t use tap water.

Tap water contains minerals that also scratch your screen. So, you"ll need to use distilled water for this situation. Start by turning the TV off and unplugging it.

Next, pour distilled water into a spray bottle. You won"t spray it directly on the screen. If you spray directly, the water can seep behind it, damaging the components inside.

Instead, spray a microfiber towel with it, using just enough to make the towel damp. It shouldn"t be soaking wet. Wipe the screen in a circular motion.

Water won"t do anything to clean up the TV screen if it has oil-based smudges. Fortunately, we can work around the no cleaner rule. Ajax dish detergent will remove the smudges with ease.

However, we have to be careful with how much we use. Take a spray bottle and add a drop of dish detergent. It might seem minuscule, but it does the trick.

You"ll need three separate microfiber towels. One will stay dry, while the others will use cleaning solutions. Spray the first towel with the soap mixture.

Once it"s damp, use circular motions on the area with smudges. Afterward, you"ll need to clean the soap off the screen. So, come around with a towel dampened with distilled water.

Finally, come around a third time with a dry microfiber towel. Remove every spot of water to maintain a streak-free TV. Hopefully, it"s enough to remove all the smudges.

It"s safe to say you"re not purchasing a random TV brand. The TV you have at home is most likely from one of the well-reputed brands. These include Samsung, LG, Sony, Vizio, and Panasonic.

Buying from a big brand means they"re more likely to have a support page. If we have questions, they"ll provide us with the answers. Let"s take a look at how to clean TVs from some of the big brands.

Samsungrecommendsusing a microfiber cloth and distilled water to clean their TVs. They don"t recommend using window cleaners, soap, wax, alcohol, benzene, ammonia, or acetone.

On the other hand, LGrecommendsonly using a microfiber cloth. Wipe the screen gently in a circular motion. Even if there are food or drink stains, LG doesn"t mention water usage.

Panasonic provides us with a clearanswer. They suggest using clean water or diluted detergent. You can use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe the screen clean.

It should not drip because the screen is not watertight. So, water will make its way into the components inside. If it fries them, the warranty won"t cover the damages.

Sony follows the same procedure. You can use a dry microfiber cloth for general cleaning. If there are stains, water or a solution of mild soap and water will work.

Viziotakes a different approach than all the others. Instead of water and a microfiber cloth, they recommend using electronic cleaners for LCD screens. Follow the cleaner"s instructions to ensure the best results.

Sometimes we don"t have a clean microfiber cloth lying around. Maybe you use it to clean other areas. So, it"s safe to assume it won"t be safe to use on a TV.

Many households carry Swiffer dusters. It might seem like a good idea to use one. However, it can end up doing more damage than cleaning. Swiffer dustersusemineral oil. It can leave greasy blotches on your TV screen.

TVs need dedicated tools for cleaning. Luckily, those tools aren"t hard to get. Hopefully, water and a microfiber cloth are all you need to clean the surface. We hope you found this informative.

Most people believe that using window cleaners, such as Windex, to clean their LED/plasma TV screens is acceptable. Since the majority of old TV screens they grew up with allowed this, it is not a surprise that people think newer TVs do so as well. However, new TV screens aren’t made of glass, and therefore don’t mix well with Windex.

But why is Windex so harmful to your flat TV and what should you do if you’ve already used it to clean your screen? And, more importantly, what are the alternatives to Windex, i.e., what should you actually clean your TV with?

These chemicals are great for cleaning windows or hard surfaces like metal. However, they can easily damage plastic or similar materials, which is why they are so harmful to your TV screen.

LCD/LED TV screens have only a thin protective filter layer over the LCD/LED panels.Therefore, it isn’t okay to clean these TVs with Windex or other similar cleaners because they will damage the filter layer. In fact, the less liquid you use on them, the better and safer you’ll be.

If you’ve already used Windex on your TV, don’t panic. There are several things you can try based on the amount of damage done to your screen, and I’ll explain each one in detail.

Most people notice blotches or discolored stains on their flat screens as soon as they let Windex sit for a minute or so. The stains are the result of the harsh chemicals in the glass cleaner eating away at the thin coating covering your screen.

The stains are usually more visible when the screen is off, although their visibility also depends on the amount of damage. If the coating is fully damaged, you’ll see the stains even when the TV is on, especially when the screen flashes white or blue.

You will start noticing the stains and blotches after a minute or two, as Windex starts working. As soon as you notice them, get a dry microfiber cloth, like

However, if you used too much Windex or let it sit for too long, removing these blotches and stains could be next to impossible. If a dry cloth isn’t giving results, try dampening it slightly and trying again.

If Windex somehow made its way past the protective coating on your screen and went inside, your TV screen will probably only be black even when it’s turned on. If the chemicals managed to also get to the sound panels, your sound won’t work either.

The electronic part cleaner is supposed to help Windex evaporate from anywhere it might have leaked into. However, bear in mind that this will only work if the damage isn’t too severe. If the glass cleaner has gotten into the LED panel, there isn’t much any cleaner or trick will be able to do.

Now that you’ve (hopefully) fixed your screen from Windex damage,let’s turn to how you should actually clean your screen to ensure you don’t damage it.

The first step is easy. Turn your TV off and get a dry Move the cloth over your screen gently using either circular or up-down motions. Make sure you’re not pressing too hard.

It’s important to keep the cloth dry because liquid of any kind can damage the protective coating and slip inside the screen. However, if the stain is too oily and just won’t come off, it is okay to dampen the cloth slightly and then try again. Make sure it is only damp and that no water drips as you press down on your screen.

Lastly, I know that seeing people do this is much easier than reading about it so I will give you a YouTube video recommendationsas well. That way you can see exactly how to clean your screen without doing it harm. The most useful one is this one.

As you saw, cleaning your TV with Windex is a definite no. The strong chemicals it contains will definitely damage your screen, and fixing it after that is a great hassle. However, it is good to know that even if you do it, there are ways to fix it. Make sure you don’t panic and follow all the instructions I provided.

And when you clean your screen in the future, make sure you do it safely. That way you’ll ensure that your device is clean and functions properly, and you won’t have to worry about a thing.

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A solution containing equal parts rubbing alcohol and water may be used. Dip the edge of a piece of cotton cloth in the solution, making sure to remove excess liquid. Gently wipe the screen all over, especially spots where you can see smudges. Once this is done, take a dry piece of soft cloth for a final wipe.

Windex is a no-no, unless you’ve got an antique TV with a glass display. You’ll also want to make sure you don’t spray liquid directly on your TV. Doing so can damage its display or even cause an electric fire.

First try using a dry, anti-static cloth and rubbing gently. Use water to lightly moisten a clean, soft, dry cloth, and then rub the screen gently. Do not let water run down screen or enter behind screen frame. Wipe with dry cloth after cleaning.

LG – unplug the TV and wipe gently with a soft dry cloth. Don’t use water or glass cleaner. Panasonic – gently wipe the display with a soft cloth. For stubborn dirt, dampen a soft cloth with clean water, or diluted neutral detergent (one part detergent to 100 parts water) wring out the cloth and wipe away the dirt.

Dampen a microfiber cloth with a 50-50 water and vinegar solution. Wring the cloth tightly to ensure no liquid will drip from cloth, then gently wipe off smudges and fingerprints.

Stick to using water or a screen cleaner specifically made for LED TV screens to avoid damage from the ammonia in the Windex. You should also stay away from harsh cleaners like Clorox wipes, baby wipes, and paper towels, as they can damage your screen.

The best thing to do is use a non-abrasive cleaning solution such as isopropyl alcohol that’s diluted with either pure or distilled water. Spray the solution onto a microfiber cloth and gently wipe down the area in either an up and down or side to side motion.

Dab or spray a well-mixed solution of equal parts vinegar and water onto your cloth—never spray liquid directly onto the TV—and, using moderate pressure, gently wipe the cloth over the screen from left to right and then top to bottom before tackling the frame.

Important: Never use any type of window cleaner, soap, scouring powder, wax, or any cleanser with solvents such as alcohol, benzene, ammonia, or acetone. Never use abrasive pads or paper towels. If you do, you can scratch the screen or strip the anti-glare coating off the screen and cause permanent damage.

Flat screen TVs, stereos, surround sound systems and DVRs: Spread a Clorox® Triple Action Dust Wipe across the palm of your hand. Hold the flat screen from the back with the other hand. Wipe in an up-and-down motion from one side to the other.

Clean the LCD screen with a soft, dry cloth. For more stubborn stains, you can use a soft cloth slightly dampened with a solution of mild soap and warm water. When you clean the screen, wipe it in small circular motions from top to bottom. Immediately afterward, use a soft cloth to dry the screen.

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You spend a good amount of time looking at your TV screen, so it"s surprising when you don"t notice how dirty it is. However, dirt and debris have a way of building up on screened devices, and if you want the best performance, you have to clean your TV and other screens from time to time. Gunk and other accumulated detritus can be damaging to your precious TV panel, so it"s best to give your television a good cleaning. Fortunately, you only need a few products to get the job done, and it"s a fairly straightforward process. Read on to become an expert in cleaning your TV.

Step 3: When it’s cool to the touch, dust the screen to remove any dirt particles, then wipe it over with your soft, lint-free cloth to remove any residual dust.

Step 1: Mix the isopropyl alcohol with water in a measuring cup, ensuring the solution is equal parts water and alcohol. If you don’t have a measuring cup, try using a shot glass to measure quantities before mixing. In any case, just make sure you’re not overdoing it with the alcohol — the resulting solution shouldn’t be more than half alcohol or it could tarnish the display.

Step 4: Use the second lint-free cloth to dry your display. Don’t leave any moisture on it — you’ll want it to be completely dry before turning the TV back on.

We can’t just ignore the O.G. hardware. If you’ve still got an older tube-style TV hanging around the house and it simply refuses to die, here’s a quick how-to for getting the smudges and dust off of your old giant. Luckily, you’ll be able to use some household cleaners you probably have hanging around.

Step 2: Once the TV has settled down to room temperature, grab that same microfiber cloth you used for your prized living room QLED and wipe away any dust on the tube TV’s screen. Once the dust has cleared, you may still have fingerprints and other gunk to contend with.

Step 3: To clear the rest of the mess, you can use the same solution you put together to clean your high-end TV. If you’re lacking the materials to create this concoction, you can use a regular glass cleaner instead. This is because most older tube TVs actually have glass screens.

Important note: Do not under any circumstances use regular glass cleaner to clean an HDTV. The harsh chemicals used in the cleaner will damage the TV screen.

Additional tipsIf your TV’s bezel makes it difficult to clean the corners and near the edges of the display, use a cotton swab dampened with your solution to get to the hard-to-reach areas.

Make sure you’re using the right chemical. Don’t use ethyl alcohol, acetone, toluene, ethyl acid, ammonia, or methyl chloride — only isopropyl alcohol.

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When it comes to cleaning, flat-screen TVs and LCD screens require special care and a gentle touch. With the wrong technique, you can easily scratch the screen or damage the surface"s antiglare coating. Even rubbing too hard can cause pixels (the tiny dots that compose images on computer monitors and TV screens) to burn out and stop working permanently. Most household cleaning products are too harsh to use on electronic devices with LCD or OLED screens, so choose your TV cleaning strategy carefully. These tips on how to clean a TV screen will help protect your device while ridding it of dust, smudges, fingerprints, and streaks.

To avoid damage to your TV while cleaning, only use gentle products. Never wipe the screen with paper towels, abrasive sponges, or coarsely woven rags, which can cause scratches. Instead, use high-quality, finely woven microfiber cloths to clean TV screens, recommends cleaning expert Leslie Reichert.

You should also avoid cleaning products that contain alcohol or ammonia. These types of cleaners can remove antiglare coatings and cause images to become cloudy or distorted. A simple swipe with a microfiber cloth ($9 for 5, Amazon) is typically all that"s needed to remove dust and other debris from the screen"s surface. When more than a light dusting is required, however, use the guidelines below for the best way to clean a TV.

Practice preventative measures so you won"t have to clean TV screens often. Keep food, drinks, and kids away from TV and computer screens to eradicate risks of messy splatters and fingerprint smudges. During your weekly house cleaning, lightly dust the screens with a microfiber cloth to prevent dust buildup.

The television screen is what everyone sees first, but don’t forget these other key areas, not to mention the area around your unit. “It can also help to clean the furniture and carpets around the TV to prevent dust and hair from getting into it,” says Williams.

The remote control is handled regularly. This is the one time when harsh chemicals can be used sparingly. Follow the manufacturer owner’s manual instructions first, but if sanitizing is needed, use a cleaner that’s at least 70 percent alcohol, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations. (Basic drugstore isopropyl alcohol works well for this.)

Start the remote control cleaning by removing the batteries. As with the TV screen recommendations, you’ll want to avoid spraying directly onto the surface, as this could cause the device to malfunction. Dampen a clean microfiber cloth and rub gently on the top and the underside of the remote control. For hard-to-reach gunk that’s jammed between the buttons, try a cotton swab dipped in a small amount of the cleaning solution. Make sure to let it dry thoroughly before replacing the batteries and using it again.

When figuring out how to clean a TV screen, selecting the safest cleaning solution is key, but it’s also important to know what cleaning products to avoid. Keep in mind that not only should you skip cleaning with certain products, you should also avoid spraying them in close proximity to the TV.

Both Panasonic and Samsung both have lengthy “avoid” lists that include harsh chemicals such as wax, cleaning fluid, acetone, benzene, alcohol, thinner, mosquito repellent and insect spray (really!), lubricant, solvent and undiluted mild dish soap. These can, as Williams says, “cause clouding and can wear away your TV’s anti-glare coating.”

In terms of what to use, Samsung recommends “monitor cleaner only” (also called TV screen cleaner). Panasonic suggests “one part mild liquid dish soap diluted by 100 times the amount of water.” To make this cleaning solution, add a scant teaspoon of liquid dish soap to two cups of water, stirring well to dissolve.

Williams likes TV cleaning kits for their ease of use. “A TV kit will be your safest option for cleaning a TV,” he says. “These kits will come with everything you need to get your TV looking new, like screen-cleaning solvent and a fast-drying microfiber cloth.” You can find TV cleaning kits and cleaning products designed for flat-screen TVs at electronics stores or on Amazon.

Some people swear that only distilled water is useful as cleaning spray for their delicate electronics. Although Williams does not necessarily recommend using distilled water, if you know for a fact you have hard water in your area, you may want to try the distilled water route and see if you notice a difference. Hard water, which has high levels of calcium and magnesium, may leave a film or residue when it’s used for cleaning. Before you spray water to clean TV screens, try experimenting with tap water on a less-important screen, like an old cell phone, to assess the results.

If you can picture the hulking tube TVs (also known as CRTVs) of yore, you may also remember how delightfully easy they were to clean—a few spritzes of window cleaner and some wipes with paper towels and you were good to go—no special microfiber cloth required. But modern TVs with fancier technologies like LCD, OLED, and plasma call for gentler techniques. “Avoid using chemicals like alcohol, ammonia or acetones when cleaning your TV. These cleaners were safe to use for previous generations of TVs with glass panels, but as the hardware changes with time, the cleaning methods do too,” says Williams. Since some multi-purpose and glass cleaners are made with ammonia, skip the Windex.

Modern TVs are often smart TVs but the cleaning tips are the same as the ones for LCD, OLED and plasma TVs. The microfiber cloth is your TV screen’s best friend. “The majority of TVs you purchase today will be smart TVs, and the cleaning process is the same as TVs without smart capabilities,” Williams says.

This is the ultimate guide to properly cleaning your flat-screen television without scratching it or causing any potential damage. Included in this guide will be the best cleaning techniques, as well as the ideal products to accomplish a brand-new appearance on your TV. This guide is full of must-have knowledge for absolutely anyone who wants their television to remain in pristine condition. As a bonus, this guide will also provide you with a detailed explanation and instructions on how to clean your TV remote control.

Nowadays, most televisions are manufactured with a soft plastic screen. As a result of this, TV screens are delicate and can be easilydamagedif cleaned with an improper solution or technique. Accidentally using the incorrect product on your television could result in permanent damage, such as fogging, discoloring, or scratching.

When cleaning a television screen, two different techniques work extremely well. The first technique focuses on spraying down a microfiber cloth and wiping the Televisions screen. Alternatively, you may spray a minimal amount of non-ammonia based cleaner onto the TVs screen and gently wipe it away. These two techniques are proven safe and will not result in any permanent damage to your TV’s screen, as long as you follow the necessary detailed instructions when performing the cleaning.

Certain products and items you never want to use on the screen of your TV since they will cause permanent damage. When gearing up to perform a television cleaning, you will want to avoid using regular tap water, wood-based wipes, isopropyl alcohol solution containing more than 50% alcohol, regular Windex, or any cleaners that are ammonia-based.

Many products that are not made specifically for cleaning electronics will harm your television. If regular tap water is used on the television screen, a visible residue will appear after the water has dried. Instead of utilizing tap water, you may choose to use distilled water combined with a microfiber cloth. The combination of distilled water with the microfiber cloth will cause any dust on the screen’s surface to cling to the damp cloth. Distilled water will also ensure that the anti-reflective coating on your TV’s screen does not become worn-out.

Though Windex is a common go-to product for cleaning many devices and appliances, using it on a television screen can cause permanent damage. The reason behind this is because Windex is an ammonia-based cleaner. Ammonia-based cleaners may cause a chemical reaction between the ammonia-based cleaner and the coating on the Televisions screen or cause clouding.

It is essential to avoid the use of any wood-based cleaning wipes on a TV screen. Wood-based cleaning wipes include paper towels, Kleenex tissues, along with any similar products. If wood-based wipes are used on the TV’s screen, there is a strong possibility that you would be left with a multitude of visible, permanent scratches on the screen. The reason why the scratching often occurs is how rough the fibers of these products are combined with how soft the screen on the TV is.

You have a few technique options to choose from when preparing to clean a TV screen. A 50% isopropyl alcohol-based spray, also known as a lens cleaner, is a simple option that many lean towards. When using an isopropyl alcohol spray, you will want to pay close attention to the level of alcohol in the spray and be sure to avoid any alcohol-based sprays that contain more than 50% alcohol, as this will over-dry the television screen.

When choosing to utilize the lens cleaner technique, you will also want to use a clean, soft microfiber cloth that does not shed any fibers. If the microfiber cloth does shed fibers, you will find that sometimes after you’ve already cleaned the TV, you have to clean it again. This is due to the small static electricity charge produced when wiping the TV’s screen, which will attract the fibers of a microfiber cloth.

Optionally, specific products are intended for use on electronics that are extremely gentle as they do not contain ammonia or alcohol. Windex makes a special electronics cleaner that works phenomenally and is highly recommended. Additionally, the product “Screen Mom” is specially formulated for televisions and is also a fantastic product.

If the television is not dirty but has acquired a collection of dust particles on the surface, compressed air may be the best option for this job. Using compressed air will inevitably eliminate the worry of causing potential damage to the screen since there is no possible way to damage the television with air. Compressed air is an easy, inexpensive, and fast way to clear any dust from the television, leaving the TV appearing brand-new.

The first option entails simply spraying the microfiber cloth down with the cleaning solution and using that to wipe the television screen. If this is the method that is chosen, you will want to be cautious of the amount of solution used. Ideally, the cloth should only be slightly damp after you’ve sprayed it down.

Accidentally applying too much solution onto the microfiber cloth and using the excessively wet cloth on the TV screen may result in permanent damage. When too much cleaning solution is applied to the TV screen, the cleaner tends to run down the screen into the bezel and any other nearby electronics.

Alternatively, you may mist the TVs screen directly with a small amount of the cleaning solution that you’ve chosen. Immediately after misting the screen, you will want to gently wipe away the mist with a microfiber cloth. If this is the option that you would like to utilize, be sure to be extremely careful to not spray too much cleaner onto the television – as this may drip onto the bezel along with any other nearby electronics very rapidly, resulting in permanent damage.

IMPORTANT: When wiping a television screen with any wipe, be sure to be gentle, and refrain from applying any excessive pressure. Applying too much pressure on the screen will result in distorted pixels.

Where can you purchase inexpensive microfiber wipes and ammonia-free cleaners? Both microfiber wipes and ammonia-free cleaners are commonly found at your local big-box stores such as Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, and the Dollar Tree.

Microfiber cloths are commonly located in the automotive aisle of any big box store, and the lens cleaner can often be found bundled in kits for eyeglasses. Alternatively, Amazon possesses an extensive assortment of microfiber wipes and appropriate cleaning solutions that can be shipped directly to your door.

Recent studies from multiple universities have confirmed that the TV remote is the single dirtiest item in a typical home and is a hotbed for bacteria and viruses.

This is because the TV remote is one of the most overlooked household objects when cleaning a home. TV remotes are commonly touched multiple times a day by nearly every person in a household. However, no one ever thinks to clean it. The rubber buttons trap and preserve all sorts of dirt, skin flakes, and hair.

When performing a deep clean on your TV remote, all you need when performing a deep clean is rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol, which comes in a solution or a spray cleaner. Typically, you’ll find this at your local grocery, pharmacy, or hardware store as a 50% water and 50% isopropyl alcohol mixture. Combine this with a clean toothbrush, q-tips, and a microfiber cloth.

Next, use the isopropyl alcohol mixture and spray the microfiber cloth down, but you’re going to want to be sure to not overspray, leaving the cloth dripping wet, as that may cause damage to your remote.

You’re going to begin by taking the batteries out of your remote, so your TV doesn’t blow up while you touch all the buttons. Once your batteries are out, take a clean toothbrush, a motorized toothbrush preferably, and start brushing out the debris from between the buttons on your remote, starting at the top of your remote and making your way to the bottom.

If there are any tighter crevices that the cloth couldn’t get to, use a q-tip sprayed with the isopropyl alcohol-water mixture and deep clean between the buttons. Once finished, put the batteries back inside of the TV remote. You can rest easy knowing that the dirtiest part of your home is now the cleanest.

Important:Don’t clean the screen with a cleaner containing acetone. Don’t use window cleaners, household cleaners, aerosol sprays, solvents, ammonia, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide to clean the screen.

If cleaning an external display, disconnect the display from power, from your Mac, and from any external devices. If cleaning an iMac screen, disconnect the power from your computer.

If additional cleaning is required, slightly dampen the cloth with water or a cleaner intended for use with a screen or display, then wipe the screen. Avoid getting moisture in openings.

Important:If you have an Apple Pro Display XDR or an iMac, its screen is either nano-texture glass or standard glass. For more information about how to clean both types of glass, see the Apple Support article How to clean the nano-texture glass on your Apple display.

For more information about cleaning Apple products, including Mac notebook and desktop computers, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Apple accessories, see the Apple Support article How to clean your Apple products.