How To Easily Clean Your TV Screen Without Streaks Using Items You Already Own

If your TV is full of smudges, fingerprints, or dust, don't reach for that window cleaner. Instead, use items you already own, such as a soft cloth dampened with distilled water. Unlike other surfaces you regularly clean in your home, your television is fragile and electronic. Using an all-purpose cleaner or harsh chemicals could damage the screen, no matter if you have an LCD, OLED, or an older plasma TV. Even if using a gentle cleaner, you could end up with streaks across the surface, and no one wants to see that. 

Luckily, you don't need specialty products, because distilled water works just as well to remove marks without harming the screen. This is important, because newer TVs do not feature the same glass screen as the older CRT, or "tube TVs" of the 1990s. Instead, LCD TVs (Liquid Crystal Display) use a liquid crystal display which is more susceptible to damage. The OLED, or Organic Light-Emitting Diode, are the same, so proper cleaning is crucial to protect your investment. Using distilled water is key because tap water often contains mineral deposits. By using a microfiber cloth and a bit of distilled water, you ensure the screen is clean without leaving streaks. One of the horrors that are common in homes with hard water, is streaks after cleaning glass with the tap, as the remnants of mineral deposits form on the surface. Here's how to guarantee your TV screen is squeaky clean for your next Netflix catchup.

Before you start cleaning, unplug your television. Not only does this protect you against electronic shock, but the darkened screen makes it easier to see the smudges. Once you are unplugged, apply a bit of distilled water directly to your clean cloth. You should never apply cleaner or water directly to the screen, as it might drip into the electronic components near the screen's edge. A microfiber cloth is the best way to clean dust off your TV, because it's a magnet for the particles, yet gentle enough for the delicate screen. Avoid using paper towels, scratchy rags, or any other rough material on your screen.

Once you've dampened your cloth with a small amount of distilled water, gently go around the surface in a circular motion instead of up and down to avoid streaks. Use a gentle touch because pressing too hard could damage the screen. Don't forget to wring out your cloth so that it is not too wet. Finish your task by running a second dry, clean microfiber cloth on the screen to pick up remaining residue or marks. While you're at it, tackle any dust on the TV's edge or sides, being careful not to get debris into the open crevices on the back of the device. You should probably be cleaning your remote more often than you realize, so do that next, again with a microfiber cloth and a bit of distilled water.