How to Clean Screens & Infotainment Without Damage

Jimbo Balaam on

Fingerprints and dust are annoying — here’s how beginners can clean screens safely.

How to Clean Screens & Infotainment Without Damage

How to Clean Screens & Infotainment Without Damage

Fingerprints, dust, and smudges on infotainment screens are annoying—but cleaning them the wrong way can scratch, streak, or damage coatings. Here’s the beginner-friendly way to keep your screens crystal clear and safe.

Quick Answer:
  • Use a safe, streak-free cleaner like Complete Cabin Cleaner.
  • Apply with ultra-soft towels such as Softer Than Soft Towels.
  • Spray towel, never the screen directly.
  • Wipe in straight lines, then follow with a dry side.
  • Avoid: paper towels, ammonia cleaners, alcohol-heavy wipes.
In this guide
  1. Why screens need special care
  2. Best products & towels for safe cleaning
  3. Step-by-step screen cleaning method
  4. How to clean glossy trim & cluster lenses
  5. Mistakes beginners must avoid
  6. FAQ

Why Screens Need Special Care

Modern infotainment screens aren’t just glass. They often have anti-glare or oleophobic coatings that scratch and wear down if you use the wrong products. That’s why paper towels and Windex-style sprays are a bad idea—they leave streaks, haze, and even micro-scratches.

Best Products & Towels for Safe Cleaning

Cleaner:

Complete Cabin Cleaner—balanced, streak-free, safe for screens and interior plastics.

Towel:

Softer Than Soft Towels—super soft, lint-free, perfect for glossy and delicate surfaces.

Step-by-Step Screen Cleaning Method

  1. Turn off the screen. Smudges are easier to see on a dark display.
  2. Mist towel, not screen. Lightly spray Complete Cabin Cleaner onto a Softer Than Soft towel.
  3. Wipe in straight lines. Top-to-bottom or side-to-side, never circles.
  4. Flip to dry side. Buff gently for streak-free clarity.
  5. Check edges. Wipe cluster lenses and glossy trim around the screen while you’re there.
Pro Tip: Keep one towel just for screens. Mixing with towels used on plastics may transfer dust and cause micro scratches.

How to Clean Glossy Trim & Cluster Lenses

Piano black plastics and gauge cluster lenses are just as sensitive as screens. Use the same method: cleaner on towel, straight-line wipes, and a dry side to finish. The Softer Than Soft towel is ideal here because it won’t scratch.

Mistakes Beginners Must Avoid

  • Spraying cleaner directly onto screens.
  • Using paper towels or napkins—too abrasive.
  • Cleaning while screens are hot (sun-exposed)—causes streaks and rapid drying.
  • Skipping the dry pass—leaves streaks and haze.

Related Guides

Best Interior Cleaners for Beginners
Beginner’s Guide to Cleaning Car Interiors

FAQ: Cleaning Screens & Infotainment

Can I use glass cleaner on my screen?

No. Ammonia cleaners can damage coatings and cause haze. Use Complete Cabin Cleaner on a microfiber towel instead.

What’s the safest towel to use?

Softer Than Soft Towels—they’re ultra-soft and lint-free.

How often should I clean screens?

Weekly if you drive daily, or as soon as fingerprints bother you. Light, regular cleanings are safest.

Can I use disinfectant wipes?

Avoid them. Many contain alcohol or harsh chemicals that strip coatings. Stick to automotive-safe cleaners.