How to Clean Any TV Screen

Goodbye, dirty TV screens: embarking on an easy cleaning routine is essential if you’ve noticed dust or smudges marring your viewing experience. By cleaning your screen quickly, you can then relax and enjoy your favorite show in pristine clarity.

Before trying to figure out the best way to clean your TV, check the owner’s manual that came with it. The manufacturer’s advice is usually the best, especially if your TV is still under warranty. But if you’ve already thrown away the manual, follow these tips carefully to avoid damaging the screen or any electrical parts.

Different types of screens need different cleaners. While we’ll talk about cleaning old-style glass tube TVs and iPads with glass screens later, you probably have a flatscreen LCD or plasma TV. The short version: don’t use abrasive materials, too much liquid, or strong chemicals.

Here are some tips for cleaning any screen:

• Use smooth, lint-free microfiber cloths, not anything rough. Paper towels can scratch TVs, especially plasma screens, which are very sensitive.
• Don’t spray cleaner right on your screen. Spray it on a cloth first, then use that cloth to clean the screen.
• Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and be cautious if unsure, especially when your only available cleaners are strong chemicals known for being harmful.

How to Clean Plasma, LCD, LED, and OLED TV Screens

1. Switch off your TV. Make sure the screen is off and cool before cleaning. This makes it easier to spot smudges in daylight.
2. Dust off with a dry microfiber cloth. Clean the whole screen and the TV edges, since dust on ports and speakers can hurt its performance later on.
3. Spray a cleaning solution onto a clean microfiber cloth. Choose a commercial cleaner or make your own, like mixing equal parts white vinegar and distilled water, or a mix of one part 70% isopropyl alcohol to four parts distilled water. Different mixtures dry at different speeds, so don’t make the cloth too wet. Don’t use cleaners with ammonia, acetone, or too much alcohol, as they can damage the screen.
4. Use the cloth to clean the TV screen. Make sure to wipe it well, leaving no moisture on the surface. Be careful not to let any liquid soak into the screen’s edges.
5. Let the screen dry on its own.
6. If there are any leftover streaks, use a dry part of a clean, dust-free microfiber cloth to gently polish them away.
7. Stay on top of cleanliness. If you touch the screen or see a streak, quickly wipe it with a clean microfiber cloth to prevent dust from gathering.

How to Clean the Glass Screen on Your iPad or an Old Tube TV

1. Dust off with a dry microfiber cloth.
2. Put some cleaner on a clean microfiber cloth. Use 70% isopropyl alcohol for fingerprints and smudges. Spray it on the cloth or use an alcohol wipe, but don’t use bleach.
3. Clean the glass surface and edges carefully. Make sure not to let any extra liquid get into the speakers or ports.
4. Let the screen dry on its own.
5. If there are any streaks left, use a microfiber cloth to gently polish them off.

How to Clean Your TV Remote

Your remote control can get really dirty, too. If you’re using a vinegar- or alcohol-based cleaner, wipe the remote well with the same damp microfiber cloth you used for the TV. Be careful not to let too much liquid get into the buttons.

A good tip: Take out the batteries first so you don’t accidentally turn on the TV or change settings by mistake, like turning on subtitles or switching the language to German. You know how these things happen.