What Can You Clean a TV Screen With? 11 Options

Though television sets are fairly easy to clean, it’s really not something that you think about every day. That is until you go to turn on the television and you notice that the screen is filled with dust. Television sets attract dust easily due to electric fields and magnetic energy. They’ll also accumulate fingerprints, and in some cases, debris that has fallen from the ceiling. So what are the best products to clean a modern television? Let’s discuss.

The 11 Options You Can Clean a TV Screen With

1. Lint-free Cloths

One of the easiest ways to clean your television is to simply use a lint-free cloth, such as a microfiber cloth. Avoid paper towels, as they can scratch the TV’s surface. Just unplug your TV and wipe the screen clean. Don’t apply too much pressure as you could damage the hardware (especially if it’s a flat screen) and use enough force to clean the screen of dust and debris. The result will be streak-free and ready for your next Game of Thrones session.

2. Electronic Wipes

You can also use electronic wipes for your television. This is a good option for removing stubborn spots on flat-screen TVs. These wipes are easy to find in electronics and office supply stores, plus they can be stored in your TV console for quick access. However, if you have a plasma TV, it might not be the best option. Plasma screens have an anti-glare coating that isn’t compatible with wet cleaning products. To clean a plasma TV screen, they recommend using dry methods like a duster or microfiber cloth.

3. White Vinegar and Distilled Water

For a deep clean, you can mix white vinegar with water in a 50-50 solution. Simply pour the mixture in a plastic spray bottle and then spray it onto a clean, dry cloth–never apply it directly to your TV. And to avoid streaks, wipe the screen using a circular motion. Next, dry it using a microfiber cloth. This will prevent the vinegar mixture from sticking to the screen and eventually forming noticeable water spots.

4. Isopropyl Alcohol

And in some cases, a bit of alcohol may do the trick as well. If you have those annoying streaks on your TV after cleaning, it may be necessary to get rid of them. To use it, just mix equal amounts of water and isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle and then apply the mixture directly to an antistatic cloth.

This is a great way to clean smudged screens on your TV, phone, or laptop. In most cases, 70% isopropyl alcohol will do, but you can also use 100%. But if you use 100%, you may need to wipe the TV with plain water to remove any alcohol residue that may appear. Next, dry it with a clean towel, and boom, you’re all done.

5. Dish Soap

Water and dish soap is another great way to eliminate pesky streaks after exhausting all other options. To use it, Fill a spray bottle with 6 cups of water and half a teaspoon of dish soap. Be sure not to use more dish soap than this as you’ll find yourself with more streaks than before. Next, use a soft cloth to clean the screen and double-check to make sure the dish soap is free of ammonia or abrasive chemicals.

6. All-in-One Cleaner

All-purpose cleaners such as ScreenDr. can also be used to make your flat screen look new again. Although many TV manufacturers won’t recommend using harsh cleaners as they can cause damage to the LCD screens, many people find that this formula works well and provides a streak-free clean without damaging the television. It doesn’t contain benzene or acetone, chemicals that can permanently stain your screen. You can also dilute it to be on the safe side.

7. Method Glass Cleaner

Method’s simple cleaning products have become a mainstay in many homes, and this glass cleaner is no different. If you prefer a natural cleaning product, this may be best for cleaning your TV screen. This glass cleaner contains a minty-fresh scent and is made with biodegradable ingredients.

It doesn’t contain ammonia yet does a really great job cleaning. This spray can remove dirt and dust from glass as well as other non-porous surfaces like stainless steel. Method glass cleaners are affordable and cruelty-free.

8. Distilled Water

Believe it or not, you can even use distilled water to clean your television set. This is best if the television set isn’t too dirty and just needs more of a dusting. Although a microfiber cloth can be a great tool for regular maintenance, it might not be strong enough to get rid of stubborn streaks that have been left behind from previous attempts.

The secret to flawless flat screens is really to use a microfiber cloth–and liquid only if needed. So, if there’s dust, clean another lint-free cloth and spray it with water to wipe the tv down–but don’t oversaturate it. Next, use the dry cloth to wipe the TV again using a circular motion.

9. Hope’s Perfect Cleaner

This glass cleaner is highly recommended by home cleaning experts. While it may be more expensive than the average glass cleaner, it does the job quickly and without much effort. It isn’t for extremely dirty or gritty surfaces, but it can be used on all types of hard surfaces–which is a major benefit.

Hope’s Perfect Cleaner doesn’t contain ammonia, so it is suitable for tinted and film-coated surfaces. This spray delivers streak-free cleaning of tv screens, mirrors, windows, and glass decor. You can use the provided microfiber cloth or lint-free towels to clean your TV.

10. Electrostatic Duster

These dusters are great to use if you need to remove dust or prefer not to do a lot of wiping.  An electrostatic duster is a simple alternative to a lint-free cloth to clean flat-screen TVs. Electrostatic dusters use static electricity to draw dust off the surface and onto the duster.

The power of an electrostatic duster on electronics such as the TV can make it very effective in getting rid of unwanted dust. And cleaning the duster is simple and easy to do. The feathers can be washed in warm water (with a drop of dish soap if needed) by simply stirring them and drying them.

11. Sprayway World’s Best Foam Glass Cleaner

If you have a television that is fairly dirty and requires a bit more effort to clean, this cleaner may help you get the job done. This is a spray foam formula that sticks to dirt and grime, and doesn’t damage TV screens, mirrors or windows.

You can get glass surfaces within minutes by using a microfiber cloth. Simply spray the solution on a dry cloth and apply it to your television screen. This cleaner is water-based and will not stick to the edges of your television if you accidentally wipe them during the cleaning — but remember to always spray the aerosol onto a cloth and not directly onto the TV.

Conclusion

Cleaning a TV is a simple task, but the wrong materials or products can leave your tv riddled with unsightly streaks. It’s always best to read the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning the screen before applying any products.

And in many cases, a simple wipe-down with a microfiber cloth or electrostatic duster will do. For tougher jobs, you may need to use a glass-cleaning product such as Method Glass Cleaner, or you can use a natural glass cleaner such as distilled water and white vinegar mixture.

Featured Image Credit: mtlapcevic, Shutterstock