How to clean a TV screen?

September 12, 2012 2:52 PM

I need a cleaning towel for my large screen DLP TV. The manual says to use a cotton towel, but I find that solution to be less than perfect, a lot less than perfect. I've considered a microfiber cloth, but I don't have any experience with them, and the ones that get good reviews (from Amazon) are too small for the task I need them for. A cleaning solution is something I've considered, and plenty of them are labeled "safe for TV screen", but words are cheap and my TV isn't. Basically, I'm hopelessly lost, and would appreciate some suggestions on a TV screen cleaning kit with a proven history of reliability and customer satisfaction. Thank you.
posted by Beholder to technology (13 answers total)

I use Klearscreen on all of my TVs, laptops and nav units in my cars. Have for years, no problems. However, I have never owned a DLP TV, just LCD/LED and Plasma.
posted by primethyme at 3:01 PM on September 12, 2012

In my experience, it's hard to go wrong with microfibre cloths of any size. Perhaps the ones designed for glass will provide you the best results.
posted by Hawk V at 3:01 PM on September 12, 2012

Booyah. 9 sq feet of soft microfiber towel.
posted by misha at 3:07 PM on September 12, 2012

I bought some microfiber dish towels at Target.
posted by mullacc at 3:32 PM on September 12, 2012

I use used dryer sheets - seems to help keep the dust from building up for longer than just a dry rag.
posted by COD at 3:39 PM on September 12, 2012

Anyone familiar with Goja cleaning cloths?
posted by Beholder at 4:18 PM on September 12, 2012

I use an ostrich feather duster and a damp microfiber for the nooks and crannies.
posted by rhizome at 4:28 PM on September 12, 2012

cleanDR works great for me. I use it on TVs and computer monitors. Client equipment as well as my own.
posted by Splunge at 4:37 PM on September 12, 2012

Microfiber cloths in the auto-cleaning section of a department store cost less and offer more variety than most anywhere else. In cleaning computer monitors and copier touch panels, Cut isopropyl alcohol to 30% will pull fingerprint oil without affecting anti-glare coatings or plastic, but test in a corner for a week to be safe.
posted by gregoreo at 4:42 PM on September 12, 2012

I bought a pack of 13 Goja cleaning cloths that amazon has for cheap They basically work and I don't hate them, but they're far from the softest most absorbent microfiber cloths I've used (those all came free with expensive electronics). They're not so bad that I am going to replace them, but I don't particularly recommend them.
posted by aubilenon at 4:57 PM on September 12, 2012

I take a kitchen sponge (only used for this) get it wet and squeeze it like mad until nothing comes out and it's just barely damp. Then I microwave it for 30 seconds and it comes out OMG hot steamy. I grab it with a dish towel to protect my delicate fingertips and give my screen a quick wipe. It's way better on my laptop and TV than anything else I've ever tried.
(the spongy side and *not* the scrubby side)
posted by zengargoyle at 12:50 AM on September 13, 2012

I got a pack of Goja cloths for my iPad and they work great for getting fingerprints off. I don't think they'd work as well for general dustiness.
posted by Coffeemate at 6:38 AM on September 13, 2012

I use a microfiber cloth and distilled water in a spray bottle for my flat screens with good results. Even a fairly small microfiber cloth will clean my 52 in TV just fine.
posted by TedW at 7:37 AM on September 13, 2012