The Right Way to Clean a TV Screen, According to Experts
Here’s how to banish fingerprints, dust, and grime.
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The TV can be one of those surfaces that’s easy to overlook when you’re tidying up. Then, one day, you walk by and suddenly notice all the dust and fingerprints on the screen. Before you go running for your cleaning spray, read up on how to clean your TV screen. We tapped experts from the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Care and Cleaning Lab for tips on cleaning your screen without damaging it.
You generally shouldn’t use a multi-surface cleaning spray on your TV. If your spray contains ammonia, alcohol, bleach, or acetone, this can strip away some of the protective anti-glare coatings that are standard on modern TVs. And you definitely shouldn’t use anything abrasive, like baking soda or the rough side of the kitchen sponge, for the same reason.
Luckily, the items that pros recommend using to clean your TV screen are simple. A microfiber cloth will do most of the heavy lifting, but you can also use a vacuum attachment and a pre-moistened electronics wipe.
Ahead, learn more about the best way to clean your TV screen. While you’re at it, it’s probably a good idea to clean the remote as well, so we’ve offered tips for that as well.
How to clean LED, LCD, OLED, QLED and plasma screens
To avoid damaging a television screen, stick to dry cleaning methods and always refrain from using products containing ammonia, alcohol or acetone. Whether you have an LCD, LED or OLED TV or an older plasma screen, follow these steps to safely tackle dust and fingerprints:
✔️ What You'll Need:
- Microfiber cloth
- Pre-moistened electronics wipe
- Optional: Vacuum soft bristle attachment or electrostatic duster
✔️ Directions:
- Turn the TV off. It's easier to see and remove streaks when the screen is black.
- Remove dust. Use a soft, dry microfiber cloth that's designed to gently clean and remove smudges from eyeglasses, cell phones and camera lenses. Our experts like Elite Tech Gear's oversized option. It's 12 inches square, so it's easier to use on a large TV screen than a smaller cloth and helps zap away fingerprints quickly.
- Spot-clean smudges. Our experts recommend using a pre-moistened electronics wipe to gently remove spots from the TV screen. Never (we repeat, never!) spray anything on the screen directly. Doing so could damage the screen and its inner workings.
- Wipe twice. To clean a TV without leaving behind streaks, wipe the screen first in one direction (horizontally or vertically) then wipe it a second time in the opposite direction to thoroughly cover the entire screen. Flip or fold the cloth often to keep from pushing around picked-up dust.
- Hit the buttons and vents. With your microfiber cloth or a electrostatic duster, go over buttons and the back of the TV to nab dust in the vents. You can also use your vacuum's soft dusting brush and low suction to remove dust from vents, ports and cable connections.
✔️ Expert Tip: Avoid using pre-treated dusting cloths. They have oily finishes that are great for picking up dust on wood furniture but that can leave deposits on a TV screen.
How to clean an older tube (CRT) TV
Although CRT televisions are no longer made, you could still be using an older model. Cleaning glass tube television screens is about as easy as cleaning the mirrors in your home.
✔️ What You'll Need:
- Microfiber cloth
- Window cleaning spray
✔️ Directions:
- Wipe the screen with a microfiber cleaning cloth dampened with a little water or your favorite window cleaning spray.
- Nudge off any stuck-on bits with your fingernail and buff the screen dry.
How to clean a remote control
Remotes can accumulate dust, food spills, crumbs and a great number of germs. Plus, if the remote has buttons, debris can get stuck and prevent it from properly working. Here's an easy way to clean a remote:
✔️ What You'll Need:
- Disinfecting wipes
✔️ Directions:
1. Remove the batteries. First, pop out the batteries then replace the cover on the battery compartment.
2. Dislodge dirt and crumbs. Lightly tap the remote, button side down, on a table to dislodge any loose crumbs or debris stuck in the crevices.
3. De-germ the surface. Grab a pre-moistened disinfecting wipe and wring it well so it's not dripping. Use it to clean both sides of the remote. Pay special attention to the buttons and narrow spaces around them, using a toothpick or your fingernail to access tiny crevices. To make sure you're killing germs, the surface of the remote must stay wet for the length of time specified on the wipe's label. It can be anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, so it may be necessary to wipe it several times or use several wipes.
4. Let it air dry. Allow the remote control to air dry, then return the batteries to their compartment.
How often to clean your TV
Clean your television screen once per week to keep dust, film and fingerprints from building up. Our advice? Keep a microfiber cloth or electrostatic duster in your TV cabinet, so you can quickly nab dust and grime when you see it. Clean the remote control at least once per week, more often if anyone in the family has been sick.
Tips for cleaning a TV screen
✔️ Always follow the manufacturer's cleaning instructions, especially if the TV is still under warranty so you don't do anything that could void it.
✔️ Never spray any cleaner directly onto a TV screen. In fact, a dry cleaning method is always the safest option.
✔️Avoid harsh chemicals, like ammonia (found in some glass cleaners), alcohol and acetone.
✔️ Always use a soft cloth to wipe the TV screen. A rough cloth or paper towel could scratch the screen.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
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