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It's time for a tough talk: Your flat screen TV or computer screen is probably dirty.
Sometimes, the dirtiness of a screen can go unnoticed, particularly if you spend a good amount of time watching bright, colorful content that minimizes the appearance of fingerprint smudges and grime. Fortunately, cleaning your screen is a pretty easy task. Here's the scoop.
Materials needed
- A microfiber cloth
- A small amount of warm water
- Optional: alcohol- and ammonia-free screen cleaning solution
A microfiber cloth is the safest tool for wiping down your TV screen.
Like sunglasses, mirrors, and windows, TVs and monitors 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 gently wipe away the blemishes on a screen. After all, these aren't just any old surfaces—they're expensive and often delicate pieces of technology.
Once you understand the basics, freeing your spot-covered screen of your kid's oily palm prints couldn't be simpler. Just remember: A clean screen means a clean scene.
Is it safe to use Windex to clean a TV?
No, it is not safe to use Windex to clean your computer monitor or TV.
Repeat after me: I will never use Windex—or any type of window cleaning products—to clean my screen.
Window cleaners contain harsh chemicals (like alcohol, ammonia, and lauramine oxide) that can do permanent damage to LCD and OLED panels. One reason people assume that surface cleaners are still copacetic for monitors and 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.
What should I use to clean a TV instead of Windex?
A soft, microfiber cloth is typically all you need to clean an LCD screen (but small amounts of water are fine, too).
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 and monitors, 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 your screen.
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