How to Clean a Flat Screen TV (And What to Clean It With)

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Easily keep your flat screen TV polished with this simple guide

Co-authored by Marcus Shields and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: November 17, 2024 Approved

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Is your TV screen looking a little dingy or dusty? Cleaning off your TV every once in a while keeps the picture quality looking great. Cleaning your TV the right way is very important—using the wrong cleaning supplies could lead to damage or streaks on your screen. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of everything you need to know before you work on sprucing up your TV.

1

Turn off the TV.

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Having the TV off will help you spot dust and grime much easier. Before you start cleaning, turn your TV off and give it a few minutes to cool down. While you’re waiting, you can gather your cleaning supplies and gloves that you’ll need to start. ^{[1]
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Research source}
- Wearing gloves isn’t strictly necessary, but it can help protect your hands if you have sensitive skin.
- Cleaning a cool TV is easier than cleaning a warm one. Warm screens can react with your cleaning product, leaving streaks behind.

2

Dust the screen with a microfiber cloth.

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Microfiber cloths won’t scratch the surface of your TV. To dust off your TV screen, grab a microfiber cloth and gently wipe the screen up and down. Shake the cloth every few wipes to get rid of dust and dirt. ^{[2]
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Expert Source

Marcus Shields
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.}
- If you don’t have a microfiber cloth, you can use a 100% cotton T-shirt instead. However, you should never use paper towels, cotton towels, or toilet paper to wipe down your TV, since they can scratch the screen.
- Check out more TV cleaning tips from wikiHow users on wikiHow’s “What's the best way to clean a flat screen tv?” forum .

3

Use an electrostatic duster as a microfiber alternative.

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If you don’t have a microfiber cloth on-hand, a duster works just as well. These dusters use static electricity to attract dust and lint, making them an easy way to clean your TV screen without scratching it. Use the duster to gently wipe off your TV screen, going in large streaks to cover the entire thing. ^{[3]
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- When you’re done dusting, rinse off your duster and hang it up to dry so it’s clean for next time.

4

Clean the frame with a microfiber cloth.

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The hard plastic frame is less sensitive than the screen itself. Use the microfiber cloth or a duster to wipe it off. Do this right after you dust your screen so that you can get rid of the majority of the grime right away. ^{[4]
X
Expert Source

Marcus Shields
House Cleaning Professional

Expert Interview. 22 September 2019.}
- If your TV has vents on the sides or backs, wipe those off with your cloth, too.

5

Remove streaks with distilled water.

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Distilled water will clean your screen gently without leaving streaks. Grab a new, clean microfiber cloth and spritz some distilled water directly onto the cloth (not your TV screen). Gently wipe the damp cloth along your screen, going up and down slowly. If your cloth dries out, spray a few more spritzes of water onto the cloth before continuing. ^{[5]
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- Always spray your cleaning solution onto your cloth, not directly onto the screen. Spraying liquid onto your TV can cause it to drip into unexpected places, which could lead to damage.
- Distilled water is completely pure (it doesn’t even contain any minerals). It’s best to use distilled water because you know there’s nothing extra in it that might hurt your TV.

6

Deep clean your screen with diluted white vinegar.

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If your screen still looks dingy, make a 1:1 solution with water and white vinegar. In a spray bottle, mix equal parts distilled water and white vinegar. Spray the mixture onto a microfiber cloth, then gently wipe it along your TV screen. ^{[6]
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- White vinegar is a natural cleaning solution that’s effective but gentle. It won’t leave streaks on your TV screen, and while it might smell a little strong at first, the smell will evaporate as soon as the vinegar is dry.

7

Use isopropyl alcohol as a vinegar alternative.

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If you hate the smell of vinegar, make a 1:1 solution with water and isopropyl alcohol. Mix equal parts of distilled water and isopropyl alcohol in a spray bottle, then spritz the mixture onto a microfiber cloth. Wipe your TV screen with the mixture, then let it air dry. ^{[7]
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- Isopropyl alcohol evaporates quickly, so it won’t leave any streak marks on your screen.

8

Scrub spots with electronic wipes.

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Electronic wipes are safe to use on most electronics in your home. Pick up a package of these wipes, then use one to gently scrub at any stains or spots on your TV. Be careful not to press too hard, as intense pressure can damage your screen if you aren’t careful. ^{[8]
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- If you have a plasma TV, electronic wipes are not the best choice because of the anti-glare layer on the screen. Stick to dry products to clean your TV without any damage.

9

Try dish soap for stubborn stains.

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A 10:1 ratio of water and dish soap will gently scrub away marks or stains on your TV. Fill up a spray bottle with distilled water, then add in 1 to 2 drops of dish soap and mix thoroughly. Spray the mixture onto a microfiber cloth, then gently scrub the area with your solution. TV screens (especially LCD ones) are prone to scratching, so press lightly to avoid any damage. ^{[9]
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- When it comes to dish soap, the more diluted it is, the better. Too much soap could lead to streaking once your TV dries.

Join the Discussion...

What's the best way to clean a flat screen tv?

15

WikiFawnDancer831

Hi all, does anyone have any tips for cleaning a flat screen tv? Mine's overdue for a good cleaning, it's got fingerprints and dust on it, but be... Read More

1

WikiBadgerWhisperer333

For cleaning an LED screen or flat screen, I just use a microfiber cloth and get it damp (not soaking) with warm water, then gently wipe down the... Read More

1

WikiOcelotSeeker760

I’d recommend using distilled water. You shouldn’t need any solvents, cleaners, or soaps to clean a TV screen. You can use tap water if you d... Read More

See all 9 Replies and

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Question

How do I clean off dust from my TV?

Marcus Shields
House Cleaning Professional
Marcus is the owner of Maid Easy, a local residential cleaning company in Phoenix, Arizona. His cleaning roots date back to his grandmother who cleaned homes for valley residents in the 60’s through the 70’s. After working in tech for over a decade, he came back to the cleaning industry and opened Maid Easy to pass his family’s tried and true methods to home dwellers across the Phoenix Metro Area.

Marcus Shields

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

Just use a standard microfiber cloth around the frame to collect dust. Focus around the vents and speakers where dust could get trapped.

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How can I clean smudges off of a flat screen TV?

Marcus Shields
House Cleaning Professional
Marcus is the owner of Maid Easy, a local residential cleaning company in Phoenix, Arizona. His cleaning roots date back to his grandmother who cleaned homes for valley residents in the 60’s through the 70’s. After working in tech for over a decade, he came back to the cleaning industry and opened Maid Easy to pass his family’s tried and true methods to home dwellers across the Phoenix Metro Area.

Marcus Shields

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

To get rid of smudges on the glass, simply wipe them away with a microfiber cloth meant for cleaning glass. The smudges will lift right up without any other product.

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How much vinegar do I need to clean my flat screen TV?

Community Answer

Mix vinegar 50/50 with distilled water. Tap water may have suspended minerals (hard water) that could create microscopic scratches.

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Don't forget to clean your remote when you clean your TV. Turn it upside-down and tap it with your palm to get rid of dirt, and then wipe around the buttons with a mix of alcohol and water.
Skip the paper towels or tissues because they can have mild abrasives that leave scratches on your TV.

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Warnings

Avoid ammonia- or acetone-based cleaners, as these cleaners have the potential to damage your screen. ^{[10]
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How to Clean a Flat Screen TV (And What to Clean It With)

Steps

Turn off the TV.

Dust the screen with a microfiber cloth.

Use an electrostatic duster as a microfiber alternative.

Clean the frame with a microfiber cloth.

Remove streaks with distilled water.

Deep clean your screen with diluted white vinegar.

Use isopropyl alcohol as a vinegar alternative.

Scrub spots with electronic wipes.

Try dish soap for stubborn stains.

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