Windex and other glass cleaners like it contain ammonia and alcohol, which can damage the delicate screens on LED, LCD and plasma screens. In some cases, it can cause a chemical reaction with the materials on the surface that will leave the screen cloudy.
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.
It's even good for screens. Mix 1 part white vinegar with 1 part distilled water. Put it into a spray bottle and grab your microfiber cloth. It's about time to get that screen taken care of.
“Your best bet is to use a soft, anti-static microfiber cloth—the kind used to clean eyeglasses and camera lenses—and wipe in a circular motion,” says John Walsh, who cleans more than 250 TVs a year in his role as a CR photographer.
Water is fine. Some brands sell TV cleaning wipes, which often do a fine job, but cost a lot more than the DIY solution and create more waste. Tap water is probably fine too. Lots of people recommend distilled water, mostly because your tap water might have minerals in it that could scratch a screen.
Unless your owner's manual specifically prohibits it, carefully wipe the screen with a damp microfiber cloth. When using water, be sure to spray it onto the cloth rather than directly onto the screen. This will give you more control over where the water is going and how much is being used.
If you try to clean your TV screen with a baby wipe, it will leave behind streaks and cause tiny scratches. Instead, stick to water and a lint-free cloth.
Assuming all visible water is drained, a week represents a minimum safe time to wait. Don't rush it. Generally, some moisture will not do any permanent damage unless the set was on in which case you will simply have to troubleshoot it the old-fashioned way - one problem at a time.
Clean your screens: Everything from your smartphone and tablet to your laptop and television will benefit from a gentle wipedown with baby wipes if you don't have lens or screen wipes available.
Never use paper towels, tissues, or rags to clean your TV screen. These contain fibers that can leave scratches on your screen. Also, remember to avoid pressing down too hard. Pushing on the screen too hard and cause pixels to burn out.
70% isopropyl alcohol will tackle fingerprints and smudges. Mist it onto a clean cloth or use a pre-moistened alcohol wipe; do not use bleach. Wipe the glass surface and corners. Be careful not to let any excess moisture get into speakers or ports.
Clean your TV weekly to keep dust, film and fingerprints from building up and becoming harder to remove. Make it even easier by keeping a microfiber cloth nearby to nab dust and grime when you see it.
Although much less susceptible than Plasma TVs, LCD TVs are still subject to screen burn in (image retention).
The perfect combination of water, copper and electricity will create a corrosive mix known as electrolysis that will burn out the copper and kill communication systems between your screen and your hardwiring. It is fatal. Your TV will not be able to be repaired.
Water and other liquids should not be sprayed onto the television. Television screens are not the same material as glass windows and doors. Windex is not an appropriate substance to use for cleaning TV screens. Other cleaning products, such as water and dish detergent, can be used to keep your TV screen clean.
With very little pressure, wipe the cloth across the screen in broad motions, working from the top of the screen to the bottom. If smudges persist, dampen a new microfiber cloth with 50-50 water and vinegar solution, wringing it tightly to keep it slightly damp, and wipe.
Clouding is the uneven backlighting typically caused when lighting bleeds into the visible part of the TV screen. This will make the display screen appear as if there is a white shadow or clouding during dark scenes. Fortunately, this is a common effect with new TVs and in most cases gradually decreases with usage.