Did you or a family member recently use Windex to clean your TV screen? Although Windex is a helpful household cleaning solution for getting streaks and smears off windows and glass, hold off on cleaning your TV with it. It is not the best way to remove smudges and spots from your television — in fact, it can even damage your device.
If you are reading this and you have already attempted to clean your television with Windex, have no fear. It can be repaired. Read on to learn how to assess the damage and fix your TV screen after it has been cleaned with Windex.
How Recently Have You Used Windex on Your TV?
The first step to determining how to fix your TV screen is to assess the damage. How recently Windex has been used to clean your screen will help you choose your next steps and your final solution.
If you are reading this article after having just attempted to clean your TV using Windex, you are in luck — this is the ideal time to remedy the situation. If you used Windex on your TV several hours, days, or weeks ago, the process will get a tad trickier.
Do any of the above situations apply to you and your television set? Read below for more information about how to proceed with fixing your TV, depending on how recently Windex has been used to clean it.
Please keep in mind that these are suggestions and that results may vary. If you follow these tips, however, you should be able to find a solution that is tailored to your situation.
Fixing a TV Screen That Was Just Cleaned With Windex
If you have just now used Windex to clean your TV screen, it may still be wet, so it will be fairly easy to remove. If this is the case, there are a few things you can do in this situation.
- Ensure your TV is turned off.
- Find a clean, dry microfiber cloth or towel.
- Use the microfiber material to gently wipe your TV screen, removing all the Windex.
- Continue to flip over your microfiber cloth or towel to a clean side, and wipe each of the nooks and crannies of your flat screen, doing your best to remove any Windex residue.
In this case, the Windex was not on your TV screen for too long, so it has not had a chance to set in. You will most likely not have any damage to your screen.
If any splotches remain, you may want to gently dampen your cloth with water. In addition, you can try adding a bit of rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol. Be gentle on the screen — rubbing too hard or rubbing with any dirt or debris will scratch your TV and cause damage of its own.
If you do not see any strange splotches in the days following, you can rest easy. It is likely that the Windex used on your TV has not done any permanent damage and will not cause any problems moving forward.
What If a TV Screen Was Cleaned With Windex a While Ago?
If Windex was used to clean your TV screen a while ago, it is going to take a little more effort to remove the Windex and get your screen in tip-top shape. Although one should generally stay away from using water on a TV screen, it could be a potential solution.
- Identify if there are any splotches or discoloration on your screen. This will show you where Windex damage has occurred. If you set your TV screen to a solid color during this step, it will be much easier to diagnose where the splotching has occurred.
- Then, make sure your TV is off.
- Use a microfiber cloth, lightly wetting it with some water. It should be damp, not wet. You can also try adding a bit of rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol to your cleaning cloth.
- Gently use this damp cloth to wipe away the splotches on your screen. If no residual stains remain, your TV should be fine.
If you still see discoloration, splotches, etc. on your screen, you may need to make a decision for your next steps. Read on to learn more about your options.
Using Your TV Despite Discoloration
You can choose to continue using your TV despite the discoloration. This is the simplest option because it does not require you to do anything. If there is only damage or splotching in a tiny corner of the screen, it should not affect you too much. However, continue to monitor the situation, in case anything more serious happens with your set.
For example, it is not unheard of to notice a strange splotch of discoloration somewhere innocuous, like in the corner. This can actually be a symptom of something more serious, though. If smoke begins emanating from the screen, or another serious issue occurs, you will have to get rid of your TV entirely.
If everything seems to be operating smoothly for the next few days, you should be fine to continue using your TV. Read on to see what you can do if you would like to replace or attempt to fix your TV.
Using a Warranty to Replace Your TV
Most retail big-box stores offer warranties on electronics, so you should most likely have a warranty if you purchased through one of these. If so, you may be able to cash in on it and request a new device. Do keep in mind that your warranty may have specific terms and conditions, so be sure to read them to see if you qualify. If not, there may be some ways around these.
If you go with the warranty option, users on several forums suggest that you frame your TV damage as an accident, rather than damage sustained through cleaning with Windex. If you do not feel comfortable with lying, you can consider it utilizing your street smarts.
If you would like to go with the more honest route, you may have to mark it down as a lesson learned and move on. That is, you will simply need to replace your TV.
Final Tips
So, you decided that you could not stand the damage to your TV and you did not want to sneak around your warranty’s conditions. If this is the case, here is how you might be able to fix your TV yourself.
If trying to remove the splotches or discoloration with your cleaning cloth did not provide any positive results, or the screen is not working at all, there are a few things you can try:
- First, turn off your TV.
- Then, take your TV down from its stand so that you can access its back.
- If your TV has a removable back, unscrew it and remove it to access the cables. If not, you can keep it as is.
- Then, use an electronic cleaning spray on the back/insides of the TV. Using electronic cleaning spray can help the Windex (and any other liquids) evaporate.
- Once you have let the cleaning spray work its magic for a bit, go ahead and close the back (if you have removed it) and try turning your TV back on again.
If you have followed these steps and the screen is still not fixed, you may just have to replace your television with a new one.
