The geeks at Gizmodo recently reminded us of something we hope everyone knows, but is clearly worth repeating. Don't clean your HDTV with Windex! In fact, the safest bet is to not clean anything with a screen with an alcohol-based cleanser or harsh solvent. Here's more:

That's what happened when some poor schmo sprayed Windex (or any other cleaner) directly onto his flat-panel DLP. The liquid drips down to the bottom of the screen and then creeps back up, sandwiching itself between the screen and the protective plastic. Yeah, fingerprints and smudges happen, but use a soft cloth to wipe 'em away.

Older direct view TV's - These can be cleaned with glass cleaner and a paper towel, but it's best not to make a habit of it. Newer tubes that may contain any special coatings, like an anti-glare coating, should be cleaned with a damp cotton cloth, says Techlore.

Plasma - You should clean the front of the TV with a soft, damp cloth. The use of a mild soap for heavy cleaning is acceptable.

LCD Flat Panel - Caution! Use a slightly damp soft cloth to clean the LCD screen and dry with a soft cloth. Do not use any cleaning solvents, such as glass cleaner or soaps, to clean the LCD screen and do not press hard on the screen as it will damage easily.

Geek tip - Next time you are at the drug or electronics store, pick up a Dust-Off Microfiber Cleaning Cloth for your computer and camera screens. They were designed to effectively clean sensitive surfaces without scratching. Any brand works.