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The Daily Insight

How do you clean a TV screen with Windex

Author

William Cox

Updated on May 16, 2026

No, it is not safe to use Windex to clean your TV.A soft, microfiber cloth is typically all you need to clean an LCD TV screen (but small amounts of water are fine, too).

Is it OK to clean TV with Windex?

Windex is a no-no, unless you’ve got an antique TV with a glass display. You’ll also want to make sure you don’t spray liquid directly on your TV. Doing so can damage its display or even cause an electric fire.

What is the best thing to clean television screens with?

Rubbing alcohol Start by gently wiping across your television and the screen with a soft, dry cloth. If there are smudges, then make a solution that’s half water and half rubbing alcohol.

What is the safest thing to clean a flat screen TV with?

Make a solution of equal parts water and vinegar (or water with a tiny amount of dish soap). Dampen a cloth in the solution and gently wipe the screen. Again, rubbing and scrubbing will damage the screen.

What does Windex do to a TV?

With the advent of flat screen TVs (and those old projection TVs) Windex can actually damage the plastic screen on them. It will milk them as the chemicals in Windex tends to dry out the plastic material. I have always use just a damp microfibre cloth on the TV screen on the TVs I have had.

How do you get smudges off TV?

TV screen still smudged? Dampen a microfiber cloth with a 50-50 water and vinegar solution. Wring the cloth tightly to ensure no liquid will drip from cloth, then gently wipe off smudges and fingerprints.

Can you clean a Samsung TV screen with Windex?

Important: Never use any type of window cleaner, soap, scouring powder, wax, or any cleanser with solvents such as alcohol, benzene, ammonia, or acetone. Never use abrasive pads or paper towels. If you do, you can scratch the screen or strip the anti-glare coating off the screen and cause permanent damage.

How do you clean a TV without microfiber?

How to clean a TV without a microfiber cloth. If you don’t have a microfibre cloth to hand then you can use a plain duster cloth to clean your screen or an old piece of soft cloth such as a teeshirt. Regular cloth doesn’t hold the dust as well as microfibre.

How do you clean a greasy TV screen?

First try using a dry, anti-static cloth and rubbing gently. Use water to lightly moisten a clean, soft, dry cloth, and then rub the screen gently. Do not let water run down screen or enter behind screen frame. Wipe with dry cloth after cleaning.

How do you clean a TV screen without smears?

To clean a flat screen TV without streaks, you need to avoid using ammonia-based cleaning products and go with distilled water or a 50/50 solution of vinegar and tap water. The cleaning agent should ideally go on a microfiber cloth for the best result.

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Can you clean a TV screen with vinegar?

Make your cleaning solution: Mix a solution of half white vinegar, half distilled water. … Using distilled water prevents hard water residue from making your screen look dirty. Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution: Never spray any cleaning solution directly onto your screen. Dip your cleaning rag instead.

Can you use alcohol wipes to clean TV screen?

Important: Never use any type of window cleaner, soap, scouring powder, wax, or any cleanser with solvents such as alcohol, benzene, ammonia, or acetone. Never use abrasive pads or paper towels. If you do, you can scratch the screen or strip the anti-glare coating off the screen and cause permanent damage.

Can I use baby wipes to clean my TV screen?

Using a baby wipe to clean a flat screen TV will leave a residue on the screen and is NOT recommended. Consumer Reports recommends using a soft cloth dampened with distilled water (never sprayed) to clean a flat screen TV while the TV is turned off.

Can I use a damp cloth to clean my flat screen TV?

Then, Try a Damp Cloth. Unless your owner’s manual specifically prohibits it, carefully wipe the screen with a damp, lint-free cloth. When using water, be sure to spray onto the cleaning towel rather than directly onto the screen. This will give you more control over where the water is going and how much is being used.

Can I use Windex on my computer screen?

If, and only if, you have a glass laptop screen, it’s safe to use Windex as a cleaner. … But remember, never spray the Windex directly onto your laptop screen itself. If you don’t have a microfiber cloth or a sponge fresh out of the package, a soft duster brush will work.

Can you use Clorox wipes on TV screens?

Flat screen TVs, stereos, surround sound systems and DVRs: Spread a Clorox® Triple Action Dust Wipe across the palm of your hand. Hold the flat screen from the back with the other hand. Wipe in an up-and-down motion from one side to the other.

Can you use ammonia free Windex on TV screen?

Can I Use Windex on a Flat Screen TV? While it may be tempting to use Windex to clean your flat-screen TV, it’s best to skip cleaners. That’s because Windex contains ammonia and alcohol, which according to CNET, isn’t friendly to your screen.

Can I clean my TV with glass cleaner?

Do not use Windex or other glass cleaners! Such solutions generally contain ammonia and will hurt your TV screen. Do not use paper towels; they leave behind tiny bits of paper that can mess up your display.

How do you clean a LED TV without streaks?

Hot Screens and streaking usually go hand-in-hand on LEDs, etc. Fill the spray bottle with distilled water. Spray your microfiber cloth (not the screen). Gently wipe the screen in a circular motion with the cloth until the screen is clean and dry.

Can you use a microfiber cloth to clean a TV screen?

Lightly spray your microfiber cloth with a few squirts of cleaning solution, just make sure not to soak it. Gently wipe the screen with the microfiber cloth from top to bottom using a circular motion. For those spots that might need extra cleaning, apply a gentle pressure and again, rub in a circular motion.

Can I use a Lysol wipe on a TV?

The electronics your family uses the most are often the ones that need the most frequent cleaning. In this new world of touch screens and screen protectors, cleaning electronics can often be a challenge. Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes are suitable to use on electronics, making the cleaning process easier than you think.