# What do you use to clean modern tv screens? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 15, 2023, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623 "2023-12-15T03:25:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/1 "2023-12-15T03:25:57Z")
Today tv screens are almost always a type of clear plastic. Of course I have microfiber cloths What cleaner do you spray? 409? Windex? Water? Cold beer? 😀 Does it really matter. A 42" dusty screen bugs me. So does using the wrong cleaner. Why pay hi-def fees and look at the programming through a dusty, haze? Don’t even bring up scratches on my entertainment baby. I have used Simple Green on my tv screen. Use it on countertops, sinks, etc. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/2 "2023-12-15T03:37:34Z")
I use 91% spray alcohol and a non abrasive rag. Alcohol largely evaporates, so better for electronics. Windex is not recommended. Don’t go heavy on the spray no matter what you use. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/3 "2023-12-15T03:47:33Z")
I typically lightly spray the cleaning cloth. Directly spraying the screen might get past the seals and get into the electronics. I’ve heard distilled water is good because there’s no minerals. But, it’s not a degreaser. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/4 "2023-12-15T03:54:12Z")
Just water. Really. It works better than you might think. You will have to rub a bit more than normal but nothing vigorous. Damp cloth and lightly clean the screen. ETA: The above it what Apple recommends: > **[Clean your Mac computer’s screen or display](https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/clean-your-computer-screen-mchlp2657/mac)** > > Clean your Mac computer screen or external display properly and safely. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/5 "2023-12-15T04:01:31Z")
Thank you @Whack-a-Mole ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/6 "2023-12-15T06:41:54Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Just water. Really. That’s why I don’t include a soap tablet when I put my computer monitor in the dishwasher. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 6:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/7 "2023-12-15T06:56:58Z")
I can’t believe some enterprising person hasn’t come up with a dedicated cleaner. It would be a big seller. I find dry microfiber cloths to just move the dust around. The Swiffer duster is hopeless. Air blowers don’t work so well on big screens. I want something that will get it off. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/8 "2023-12-15T07:53:52Z")
Windex is to be avoided under any circumstances. It should only be used on glass windows and absolutely nothing else. I made the mistake of using it once back in the days of CRT monitors. Since the CRT tube was glass, I thought it would be OK. Nope. It dissolved a coating that had been on the surface, apparently for good reason, and the tube was streaky forever after. Now I avoid Windex like the plague. When I got my first high-def LCD TV many years ago when they were still very expensive, I was disappointed to find a smudge of some kind of dried crud on the screen. Mindful of my Windex experience, I tried getting it off with just a damp cloth and very gentle rubbing. It got some of it off, but not all. I then used a very dilute solution of Dawn and got all of it off, then a few wipes with a clean damp cloth and all was well. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/9 "2023-12-15T08:03:16Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > > > Just water. Really. > > That’s why I don’t include a soap tablet when I put my computer monitor in the dishwasher. You should add a rinse agent, though. Don’t want water streaks all over the screen! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![ColdBrew50](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9a140/32.png) [@ColdBrew50](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColdBrew50)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/10 "2023-12-15T09:13:49Z")
Isopropyl alcohol and a fresh microfiber cloth. I use that to clean…pretty much anything that has some major crust or just a medium-light layer of dust on it…hasn’t failed me yet. Iso alcohol…it’s not just what’s for dinner any more. It’s useful and very much non-fattening. One of those negative-calorie foods like celery or bubblegum. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 9:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/11 "2023-12-15T09:49:13Z")
[Don’t neglect the inside of the screen.](https://giphy.com/gifs/pug-dog-lick-NGALQBUgvmVTa) ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/12 "2023-12-15T12:31:51Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > I want something that will get it off. Static electricity is our enemy. It draws the dust back onto the screen in spite of the cleaning cloth. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/13 "2023-12-15T12:57:31Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > A 42" dusty screen bugs me. We went through a period of time where we suspected our house was making our allergies ramp up. We started running two air purifiers 24/7, one in the bedroom and one in the living room. We had an air quality company come in to test the environment. The technician said the first thing he looks at is the TV screen, checking it for dust (assuming it hadn’t been newly wiped down). He stated that ours was virtually dust-free and attributed that to the our air purifier usage. Something to consider. mmm ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/14 "2023-12-15T13:36:51Z")
> [@ColdBrew50](#): > > Isopropyl alcohol and a fresh microfiber cloth. I do use isopropyl to clean a lot of things. In another thread I warned against using it on TV screens but frankly I had it confused with Windex, which can be a horror on a lot of surfaces. I’d still be wary of iso on a TV screen except in the most dire circumstances since plain water, or water with just a tiny bit of mild detergent, can work just fine. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/15 "2023-12-15T13:54:18Z")
I’ll third (or fourth) the isopropyl alcohol and microfiber. But I rarely actually clean the screen with it. I normally just use a vacuum and brush (usually a round horsehair attachment) to get the dust off and then let it be. Same thing with my laptops, though I sometimes just use a soft cosmetic brush for them. Getting the dust off before you apply a liquid is a good thing and, in most cases, all you need to make the screen look great. Unless you have kids and your screen is within their reach… ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/16 "2023-12-15T14:53:20Z")
FWIW, Samsung recommends that you do NOT use alcohol or other solvents to clean a TV screen. They suggest a microfiber cloth dampened with water. > **[How should I clean my TV screen? | Samsung IE](https://www.samsung.com/ie/support/tv-audio-video/how-should-i-clean-my-tv-screen/)** > > FAQ for Samsung Television. Find more about 'How should I clean my TV screen?' with Samsung Support ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/17 "2023-12-15T15:04:31Z")
I ordered a roll of microfiber cloths from Walmart. Cheap enough. Use one a few times and toss when they’re dirty. I rather do that for house cleaning then buying dedicated cloths and laundering them. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/18 "2023-12-15T15:07:25Z")
> [@aceplace57](#): > > I rather do that for house cleaning then buying dedicated cloths and laundering them. Why though? I have old dishtowels and microfiber rags that I use for years and years as rags rather than generating one-use garbage. What do you see as the advantage one use cloths? ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/19 "2023-12-15T15:18:56Z")
I originally used alcohol wipes, but they left streaks, and I found out they didn’t do any better than water, which doesn’t. Sure, water leaves streaks on windows, but it seems the matte finish most TVs and monitors seem to have these days doesn’t have that problem. Though, it they did, I’d probably just throw in a microfiber cloth. It works on my glasses. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2023, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623/20 "2023-12-15T15:41:59Z")
> [@What\_Exit](#): > > Why though? I have old dishtowels and microfiber rags that I use for years and years as rags rather than generating one-use garbage. What do you see as the advantage one use cloths? Busted! LOL I shouldn’t create extra garbage waste. It’s an old habit from rolls of paper towels in the kitchen. I get more than one use from disposable microfiber towels. Depends on how dusty the house surfaces are. One cloth can wipe down my entire house when I dust regularly. Are there anti static sprays safe for tv screens. Static electricity comes from the electronics and attracts dust. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-use-to-clean-modern-tv-screens/994623.md?page=2)