A new method using the chromatographic effect is proposed to evaluate the cleanliness of In2O3 surfaces in air. This method is more sensitive than the conventional methods. The relation between the cleanliness of the surfaces and the orientation of the liquid crystals on them has been investigated by using this method. It has been found that liquid crystals containing a small amount of amphiphilic materials align themselves perpendicular to the clean polar surfaces of In2O3.