You’re doing it incorrectly if you often use window cleaner or water to clean your devices. Let’s discuss business once you put down that bottle of Windex. Giving your TV screen the care it needs is still possible. However, employing the incorrect kind of cleaning will do more harm than good. When you decide to give your display a thorough cleaning, it’s crucial to exercise care and refrain from using any harsh chemicals.

The short and to the point: avoid liquids, reduce the pressure, and bid adieu to conventional cleansers. Use a dependable microfiber cloth instead, but be as delicate as a butterfly while handling it. Since most modern TVs are made of plastic, they are far more prone to scratches than your window or smartphone.

This post is a part of 12 Days of Tips, which aims to maximize your health, home, and technology over the holidays.
You will thus know precisely what to do when it comes time to clean your TV of fingerprints, smudges, and other contaminants.

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The best method for cleaning a TV screen is to gently wipe it with a soft, dry cloth.
CNET/Sarah Tew
Do you want the extended version? The leading TV manufacturers have the following opinions on screen cleaning:

LG: It is advised to use a gentle, dry cloth to clean the screen of your 4K, OLED, or LED TV. Preventing screen scratches is the aim here. Since the circular motion strikes each region from several angles in a single swipe, gentle, circular strokes often provide superior results.

Caution: Because they may harm the protective layer that covers the panel, chemicals including alcohol, thinners, and benzene should be avoided at all costs.

Water and other liquids should not be sprayed directly onto the TV as this might cause electric shock.

Samsung: Before disconnecting the TV, turn it off and let it a few minutes to cool down.
Use a microfiber cleaning cloth to gently wipe the screen and frame clean. Use as little force as you can while wiping the TV’s frame and screen. Because TV screens are delicate, excessive pressure might cause damage.
If nothing changes, lightly wipe the screen and frame with distilled water using your microfiber towel.
Before reconnecting the television, let it air dry entirely.
Important: Avoid using any kind of soap, scouring powder, window cleaner, wax, or cleanser that contains solvents like acetone, ammonia, benzene, or alcohol. Never use paper towels or abrasive pads. If you do, you run the risk of permanently damaging the screen by scratching it or removing the anti-glare coating. Water should never be sprayed directly onto the TV. The TV should be cleaned as carefully as possible. Because TV screens are delicate, excessive pressure might cause damage.

Sony: Use a soft, dry cloth, such an eyeglass cleaner, to gently wipe the screen or the outside.
To remove ink from oil markers on the screen, soak a cloth in a synthetic non-soap cleaner that has been diluted with water (less than 1%). To get rid of extra liquid, squeeze the cloth firmly, and then gently wipe to get rid of the ink.
Be careful while using non-soap cleaners since inappropriate disposal might harm the environment.
Use a clean, dry cloth to gently wipe the screen right away.
Avoid using a cleaner or other detergent that has abrasives.
When cleaning the TV screen, pressure may cause the liquid crystal arrangement to collapse, giving the screen a dirt-like appearance. To recover from this state, turn the power off and then back on again.
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No blue gloves are supplied.
Boys91/Getty Images

Are TV screen cleaners a good idea?

Why not Windex, then? Glass windows and a few other surfaces are the intended applications for regular Windex. It comprises two less-than-friendly chemicals: alcohol and ammonia. Although S. C. Johnson does not specifically advise against using Windex on televisions, it does provide Windex Electronics wipes and cleansers, so you may make your own assumptions. Superior screen cleaners will make it obvious that they don’t include ammonia or alcohol.

I discovered a billion firms producing TV screen cleaners at the latest count. About 99 percent of these are water, with the remaining 1 percent being other materials. I tried a few years ago and found that they generally functioned well. In addition to being useful for your laptop, tablet, and mobile phone displays, a screen cleaner is worth a try if you can’t get the results you want with a simple cloth and maybe some distilled water. They also include a microfiber cloth. However, I would avoid them if they don’t explicitly say they don’t include alcohol and ammonia.

However, in general, avoid using a cleaner unless it is absolutely necessary. Simply remove any dust with an incredibly soft cloth.

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The bottom line
Therefore, it is a good idea to clean your TV. But keep in mind that they are quite delicate. Why take the chance of damaging their surface by using cleaning techniques that the firms themselves do not recommend? You will not be able to repair your screen if you use cleansers and harm it.

My recommendation? If your TV did not come with a microfiber cloth, get one and use it. Try using a cloth soaked in water to remove smudges if that doesn’t work. Try not to push too hard. Your finger and a malfunctioning TV are separated by less than a millimeter.

Although they won’t be necessary for most individuals, screen cleaning kits are acceptable. As with any TV accessories, keep in mind that the retailer is selling them since they likely benefit more from that $20 kit than from a $500 TV.

2012 saw the first publication. updated with links and up-to-date information.