How to Clean a TV Screen Without Streaks Like a Pro

What is the best way to clean a flat-screen TV?

Since you’ve searched or clicked on a post titled how to clean a TV screen without streaks, we can safely assume that you’ve tried a method that has produced smudges on your flat screen.

This can be down to a couple of things.

The products used, the cloth or utensil used to clean with, or existing grime on the screen that hasn’t been properly removed.

In this post, we’ll explain the best ways and best products to use so you can get your television looking brand new.

Because let’s face it – smudges are annoying.

Especially when you’ve cleaned your TV and there isn’t a single mark in sight.

And then when you sit down to watch Netflix, and the sun shines on your screen in just the right way…

And you realize it’s completely covered in streaks!

Luckily, the right way to clean a TV screen is basically to strip back on the products and the quantities you’re using.

In this post, we’ll explain the best way to clean a television screen so that there are zero annoying smudges or marks.

We’ve split the How-To guide into smaller subsections:

How to Clean a TV Screen With a Microfiber Cloth
How to Clean Flat Screen TV: Home Remedies
Tips for Cleaning TV Screen (Things to Avoid)
What to Use to Clean a Flat Screen

How to Clean a TV Screen Without Streaks

Before you try any of the methods below, unplug your TV and if it’s just been on then give it a chance to cool down.

A completely black TV screen makes it easier to see any fingerprints.

How to Clean a TV Screen With a Microfiber Cloth

Before using any products, try to clean your tv with just a dry microfiber cloth.

Rub your cloth gently over the screen in small circles, spending more time where there are visible smears.

Cleaning a tv with microfiber cloth - Clean and Tidy Living

Sometimes a microfiber cloth is all it takes to remove dust, fingerprints, and smears from a screen.

And if this is all it takes, you don’t need to try any other products. Hooray!

How to Clean Flat Screen TV Home Remedies

If using just a dry cloth hasn’t worked, the grime or dust on your TV might require a bit more power to get them shifted.

But that doesn’t mean you need to invest in fancy screen cleaning products.

Home remedies can work just as well, if not better, than commercial screen cleaners.

If you’re a fan of home remedies for cleaning, you might like our Clean and Tidy Living post How To Clean Stainless Steel Appliances With Baking Soda.

Distilled Water

Make your microfiber cloth slightly damp with distilled water and use this to gently wipe over any streaky areas in small circles.

Once you’ve removed all marks and fingerprints, go over the screen again with a dry microfiber cloth.

You might be thinking ‘Distilled water? Really?’

But we promise there’s a reason for this seemingly fancy touch.

LED screens are particularly easy to damage, and the minerals (such as calcium) in tap water can actually cause scratches.

Pure distilled water is a highly effective and affordable screen cleaning solution.

Distilled Water and White Vinegar

If distilled water alone hasn’t removed all the streaks, you can try making a solution of 50/50 distilled water and white vinegar.

White vinegar is popular in home cleaning remedies because of its ability to dissolve grease without the need for harmful chemicals.

1. Make a mixture of 50/50 distilled water and white vinegar, and lightly soak your microfiber cloth in the solution. Wring it out until it’s slightly damp.

2. Moving in small circles, use your damp cloth to wipe your flat screen. Work in smaller sections if it helps to see where you’ve been.

3. Once you’ve removed all marks and fingerprints, go over the screen again with a dry microfiber cloth.

Tips for Cleaning TV Screen (Things to Avoid)

Since flat screens are expensive, we thought it’s best we tell you about the things not to do, as well as what to do.

Don’t spray anything directly onto a screen
Never use a wet cloth, only damp
Unplug your TV before cleaning
Make sure your TV is cool before cleaning
Wipe your screen in small circles
Avoid harmful chemicals
Avoid abrasive mineral water or products

What to Use to Clean a TV Screen

When it comes to cleaning our TVs with microfiber cloths, we have two go-to choices.

Buff Pro Multi-Surface Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

microfiber cloth for how to clean a tv screen without streaks

We like these black microfiber cloths for two reasons.

They stay looking new for years and hide grime. But, they show fresh dust really well so you can admire your cleaning progress.
They’re multi-purpose, so aren’t just used for cleaning screens.

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MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

how to clean a tv screen without streaks

These silky looking microfiber cloths are designed specifically for cleaning screens, therefore they are very very good at it.

However, unless you often find yourself cleaning screens frequently, then you might not get a chance to use them all that much.

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Final Thoughts on How to Clean a TV Screen Without Streaks

Getting a flat screen to look new again can seem like an impossible task.

No matter how much product you use or wiping you do, there always seem to be marks left on the television.

But, when you know how to clean a TV screen without streaks the right way, it suddenly becomes very simple.

When it comes to cleaning screens, less is definitely more.

In fact, the best way is often by using no product or liquid at all.

A microfiber cloth wiped over the television will usually remove all of the dust and grime.

And if it doesn’t get all of it, you only need a small amount of distilled water, or a mix of distilled water and white vinegar to get it streak-free.

Commercial screen cleaners unfortunately usually contain harmful alcohols that can damage expensive LEDs.

That’s why we’ve suggested home remedies as the best way to get a smear-free television.

We hope that this How-To guide has been helpful.

And if you’ve put our tips into action, let us know in the comments below.