Keeping your TV screen clean is essential for enjoying crisp, clear visuals, but using the wrong cleaning materials can damage the delicate surface. Modern TV screens, whether LED, OLED, or QLED, have sensitive coatings that can be easily scratched or degraded. Before you begin, it's crucial to understand what to do and, more importantly, what not to do when cleaning your TV screen. To help you avoid costly mistakes, here’s a list of things you should never use to clean your TV screen.

Paper towels and tissues may seem convenient, but they’re too abrasive for TV screens. These materials can leave micro-scratches on the screen’s surface or anti-glare coating, leading to a hazy or damaged display over time. Tissues may also leave lint behind, making the screen look dirtier.

Remember, your TV screen is not made of Glass per se. So do not use household glass cleaners to clean your TV Screen. Glass cleaners contain harsh chemicals like ammonia or alcohol, which can strip the protective coatings on TV screens. These chemicals may cause discoloration, cloudiness, or permanent damage to the display.

Rubbing alcohol or cleaners with high alcohol content can erode the anti-reflective or anti-glare coatings on your TV screen. Even diluted alcohol can cause damage over time, especially on OLED or QLED screens, which are particularly sensitive.

Kitchen rags, dishcloths, or sponges are often too coarse for TV screens. Even if they feel soft to the touch, they may contain debris or have a texture that can scratch the surface. Sponges with abrasive scrubber sides are especially dangerous.

Spraying any liquid, even water, directly onto the TV screen is a bad idea. Excess liquid can seep into the edges of the screen, causing internal damage to the display or electronics. This can lead to malfunctioning pixels or a completely dead screen.

Nail polish remover or acetone-based cleaners are extremely harsh and will almost certainly destroy your TV screen’s coating. These chemicals can dissolve protective layers, leaving the screen vulnerable to further damage.

While baby wipes or makeup remover wipes may seem gentle, they often contain chemicals, fragrances, or oils that can smear or damage the screen’s coating. They can also leave streaks that are hard to remove.

Cleaning powders, like baking soda or Detergents are far too abrasive/hard for TV screens. They can cause visible scratches and permanently ruin the display’s clarity.