I’ve often wondered if it’s possible to clean my TV screen with water – after all, it’s a lot easier than finding a special screen cleaner. After doing some research, I’ve learned that, yes, you can clean your TV screen with water – but there are some pros and cons to doing so, as well as a few tips and tricks to ensure the best results. In this post, I’ll explain all these things, as well as share how I’ve personally solved the issue and other solutions I’ve discovered.
While it’s okay to use water to clean your TV screen, you may only need to use it sparingly. Plus, you can’t just use any type of water.
Liquids like tap water can potentially contain abrasive minerals that’ll create micro-scratches on your screen. For this reason, distilled water should be your go-to.
Stick around to learn more about how to clean your TV screen with water.
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How to Clean Your TV Screen with Water
Whether it’s a sticky food stain or a bit of dust, cleaning your TV screen can go a long way in providing you with a much clearer image. Luckily, you can use water to clean the TV, rather than purchasing a pricey TV cleaning kit.
Step #1: Prepare Your TV
Before you touch your screen with any cleaning intention, you first need to turn it off, or better yet, unplug it. It’ll be much safer, plus, you’ll get to see every stain clearly on a dark screen, especially fingerprints.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can try to find your user manual and check the cleaning tips section. It should mention how your TV should be set for cleaning. Nevertheless, if it’s too much of a hassle, you can skip the manual and turn the monitor off for the following step.
Step #2: Prepare Your Cleaning Tools
After the TV is off, it’s time to prepare your cleaning materials. First off, you can get a microfiber towel. Try to steer clear of certain cleaning items like paper towels since they can be too abrasive and scratch your screen. A microfiber towel will prove highly useful against dust films on your screen.
In terms of a cleaning solution, most TV manufacturers strictly advise against using too much detergent. Ammonia, bleach, and acetone are highly abrasive chemicals that could easily damage your screen. Plus, you’ll only need to use a detergent solution in dire cases where the screen is covered in food or any sort of sticky residue.
For this purpose, we suggest using dishwasher detergent. You’ll only need about half a teaspoon of this detergent mixed with one-fourth a cup of distilled water. If you opt for hard or tap water, it can leave residue after drying out.
In addition to this, you’ll want to get a spray bottle.
Step #3: Dust the Screen
Before using any wet components on the screen, we recommend first using the microfiber towel to wipe off any dust accumulated over time. Make sure to wipe the frame of the screen as well. You can also go to the back and wipe the vents.
Dusting the vents is crucial for the function of your TV. Dust can result in lots of damage by clogging the vents. Since the fine particles are insulating, they can cause overheating in your TV’s inner components.
Step #3: Gently Wipe the Screen
Now, most TV manufacturers advise using as little water as possible while cleaning your TV screen. For instance, you wouldn’t want to use a spray bottle because it can transfer fat droplets on the screen. This, in turn, could be damaging to your display’s clarity.
You also don’t want to dunk a cleaning towel in a bucket of water and start wiping. Instead, you’ll want to dampen the towel slightly and wring off any excess moisture. Alternatively, you can fill a spray bottle with water and a tiny amount of liquid dishwasher detergent.
Then, spritz the solution on the microfiber towel and gently wipe away any sticky stains or fingerprints.
After removing the stain, you can use another dry microfiber towel to wipe off any excess moisture from the screen. This will prevent any moisture damage from happening on the screen.
Other Methods of Cleaning Your TV Screen
Some stains may become too tough to treat with water and liquid dishwasher detergent alone. For this reason, you can use a one-to-one ratio of white diluted vinegar and water.
Spray the solution on your microfiber towel and wipe away the stain. This method should also prevent any streak marks. Alternatively, you can use an even mixture of isopropyl alcohol and water, especially if you’re not a fan of vinegar’s smell.
To Conclude
Can I clean my TV screen with water? Simply put, yes, you can. Water along with other cleaning solutions like vinegar, isopropyl alcohol, and dishwashing detergent work well to clean off any tough stains.
Nonetheless, you also want to make sure to use a little amount of water by spraying it onto a microfiber towel and then wiping the screen. After turning your TV on, you’re bound to notice a brighter difference.
Read more: Can you mount a 75 inch TV on a wall?
