To remove smears from your LED TV, first unplug it, then gently wipe with a dry microfiber cloth; for tougher spots, lightly dampen the cloth with distilled water or a tiny bit of dish soap solution (100:1), wiping gently in one direction or small circles, then immediately follow with a dry cloth to remove moisture and streaks, avoiding harsh chemicals or spraying directly on the screen.
LCD TV screens often develop streaks or cloudiness after improper cleaning methods. Cloudiness usually results from residue left by cleaning solutions or improper wiping. Use a microfiber cloth slightly dampened with distilled water or a screen-safe cleaner. Avoid harsh chemicals and excessive moisture.
For clouding, gently massaging problem areas with a soft cloth often does a good job of fixing bad uniformity. In the end, the safest bet may be to simply return or exchange your TV if you can, since uniformity varies between individual units.
White Vineger, Water, and a Soft Cloth
In fact, Windex and other ammonia-based cleaners can actually severely damage your television by removing the protective layer on the surface of the screen. A much better option is to use water and white vinegar. Mix up a 50-50 ratio of distilled water and white vinegar.
The Best Way to Clean a TV Screen
Don't ever use a Magic Eraser to clean any electronic screen, including your computer, phone, or television. Screens require cleaning with a gentle cloth to prevent scratches and damage to anti-glare finishes.
Using a dry microfiber cloth, like those used on glasses and camera lenses, is the best way to clean a TV screen. It should get rid of fingerprint smudges and dust, the most likely causes of imperfections.
Loose or faulty display connections are often the culprit of horizontal screen lines. Sometimes, unplugging and replugging your HDMI, VGA, or display cable will fix the problem. If reseating your input cable doesn't get rid of the horizontal lines, replacing the cable may do the trick.
What not to do: Do not use paper towels, toilet paper, or old shirts as your cleaning cloth. These materials are more abrasive than microfiber cloth and may scratch the screen and leave lint residue.
You should never use any type of window cleaner, soap, scouring powder, or any cleanser with solvents such as alcohol, benzene, ammonia, or paint thinner. 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.
Avoid using alcohol or ammonia-based cleaners: These chemicals may damage the screen's coating. Be careful not to spray liquid directly onto the screen: Liquid may seep into the edges of the screen, causing damage to internal components. Avoid excessive force: Excessive force may damage the screen or leave scratches.
Avoid Using Household Chemical Cleaning Products
Ammonia and acetone, on the other hand, damage the screen by causing discolouration and forming a hazy appearance, thereby ruining the TV's visual quality. [Note: Even wet wipes with high alcohol content should not be used on TV screens.]
Even a light touch can leave annoying fingerprints and smudges behind. Touching the screen with too much force could cause direct damage to the screen and the pixels. The reason we would recommend against even lightly touching your TV screen is because of the fingerprints that could be left behind.
Cleaning the Screen
If the dust and debris on the TV screen cannot be removed with just a soft, dry cloth, try to clean with some water. Then remove the remaining oil and moisture with a dry, microfibre cloth. Note: Do not spray water directly on the screen.
Dry Dusting
Start the clean by dusting the TV screen with a dry microfibre cloth. By doing this, you'll get rid of any dust and other dry dirt. This is important because these particles can cause scratches if you inadvertently rub them in with a wet cleaning product.
To remove screen clouding on your display, start by lowering the brightness and adjusting picture settings to reduce lighter spots. Use local dimming features, test in a dark room with a white background, and adjust ambient lighting for balance.
To clean the screen gently wipe the surface with a separate clean and dry, lint-free cloth. Made from microfiber these cloths gently remove dirt, grease, and dust with ease, without the need for chemicals. “Your TV screen is delicate, so I would always recommend using soft, lint-free microfibre cloths,” advises Laura.