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Can You Use a Glass Cleaner on a TV?

I’m a TV owner who recently ran into a problem with my TV. After some research, I came to the conclusion that I needed to clean it, but I was uncertain about which products to use. I quickly realized that I was not alone in my confusion, as there were other people asking the same question: Can you use a glass cleaner on a TV? In this post, I’ll be sharing my experience cleaning my TV, as well as the pros and cons of using glass cleaner on a TV. I’ll also be providing tips and tricks on how to properly clean a TV, so stay tuned!

Using glass cleaner on a modern TV is risky since the ingredients can be too harsh on the screen’s protective coatings. However, there are exceptions with older models where the display material is different.

TopicDetails
Glass Cleaner on Modern TVsUsing a glass cleaner on a modern TV can damage the screen due to harsh chemicals, such as alcohol and ammonia, which can harm the protective coatings on LCD, LED, and Plasma screens.
Glass Cleaner on CRT TVsGlass cleaner can be used on older CRT TVs, which have glass screens that can withstand exposure to such products.
Fixing Glass Cleaner DamageFor discolored stains, clean with a dry microfiber cloth. For a black screen, spray an electronic-gadget cleaner on the back of the TV, let it sit, then wipe with a dry cloth. If the damage is extensive, professional repairs or replacements may be necessary.
Alternatives to Glass CleanerUse a soft, dry, lint-free cloth, such as a microfiber cloth, for cleaning; distilled water can be applied to the cloth for a more thorough clean; for greasy stains, a small drop of dish soap can be mixed with water and applied to the cloth (not directly on the screen).
TakeawayGlass cleaner should not be used on modern TVs due to the risk of damage; it is only suitable for CRT TVs. Instead, use a dry or slightly damp cloth, distilled water, or diluted dish soap to safely clean your TV screen.

Is It Safe to Use Glass Cleaner on a TV Screen?

Using a glass cleaner on a TV (or any other gadget with a plastic screen, for that matter) can damage the display.

After all, these cleaning products usually have a number of harsh chemicals (like alcohol and ammonia) that a sensitive screen might not handle.

Generally, alcohol and ammonia can be effective cleaning agents for windows and metals. Unfortunately, this effect doesn’t apply to plastic surfaces.

The issue here is that modern LCD, LED, and Plasma screens have a thin layer of plastic coating. So, these chemicals can easily break through the gaps in the TV panel. As a result, you might spot some unsightly blemishes or permanent liquid damage.

Plus, if the anti-reflective/anti-glare coatings are fully damaged, the streaks and stains will be much more visible. It might even cause the screen to turn black!

When Can You Use Glass Cleaner on a TV?

Modern TV models don’t typically have glass screens. Instead, they have thin, sensitive special coatings on their panel display that don’t go well with glass cleaners or any solution with aggressive chemicals.

However, that is different when talking about the thick Old Tube or Cathode Ray Tube (CRT TV) that most people grew up with. This kind of TV has a glass screen that can stand exposure to products like Windex.

So, the only time you can use a glass cleaner on your screen is when you have an antique or a CRT TV.

If you still have one of those old-school TVs in your home that also needs spring cleaning, this is a piece of great news for you!

Can You Fix Glass Cleaner Damage on a TV Screen?

You shouldn’t be alarmed if you regrettably have already wiped your TV screen using a glass cleaner.

Depending on the extent of the harm done to your precious screen, there are a few solutions that you can try before you give up on the TV.

Dealing With Discolored Stains on Your Screen

Once you notice the stains on the display, carefully clean them with a dry (preferably microfiber) cloth to remove any glass cleaner residue left on the screen.

In most cases, the stains should be gone quickly unless the product was left on your screen for too long. After that, it might not be possible to remove the stains yourself.

Dealing With a Black Screen

If the damage from the glass cleaner is extensive, here’s what you can do before seeking professional repairs or replacements:

  • First, place your TV face down on a table.
  • Then, spray an electronic-gadget cleaner on the back of your TV.
  • Allow it to settle for a couple of minutes.
  • Finally, wipe with a dry cloth to check if the method worked.

What Can You Use Instead of a Glass Cleaner?

To avoid damaging your TV’s screen in the first place, you can ditch the glass cleaner and consider any of those safer alternatives:

Dry Wiping With a Cloth

Always use a soft, dry, and lint-free cloth or microfiber cloth (like the ones used in cleaning eyeglasses) to avoid scratching the screen. Never use rough or abrasive material on your TV.

Using Distilled Water

Distilled water is ideal when cleaning your TV screen since it’s already been purified from impurities compared to tap water, and you can buy it at the supermarkets near you.

Remember to apply or slightly damp it to the fabric rather than directly on your screen.

Using Diluted Dish Soap

When dealing with greasy stains, you can put a tiny drop of dish soap into a one-fourth cup of water. Then, you can mix it well and apply it to the cloth, but not directly onto your screen!

The Takeaway

Since the components of modern TVs are susceptible and fragile, a glass cleaner might not be your best bet.

A glass cleaner is only an option if you still have a vintage CRT TV in your living room. Even in that case, you don’t want to ruin your screens by using harsh products all the time. Instead, wiping with a dampened soft cloth will do just fine.

Read more: Can you use 4k monitor at 1440p?