Here’s How To Clean Your TV Screen The Right Way
Wondering how to clean your TV screen without scratching it? Start by getting the right tools for the job. Skip the screen cleaners and use a dry microfiber cloth instead. Traditional glass cleaners, such as Windex, contain alcohol, ammonia, and harsh chemicals that can damage the TV screen, according to CNET. As a rule of thumb, check the manufacturer’s instructions and then decide which products to use.
Dust, fingerprints, and smudges can affect your viewing experience. Even if they’re not obvious, they can still have a negative impact on the performance and lifespan of your TV. The problem is that modern TV screens, such as LCD and OLED, are sensitive and can be easily damaged by chemical cleaners. Depending on the brand and type of screen, you may not be able to use soap or household cleaning products.
One option is to buy a screen cleaner kit, but it may not be worth it. Most times, a soft cloth will do the trick. Consider using one designed for cleaning glasses and sunglasses, per CNET. Next, follow the instructions below to clean your TV screen safely.
Should I Clean The Remote Control In The Same Way
The remote is the bit of the telly that is most likely to be unclean think of all the action it gets, being handed around all the family. The best way to clean this is use an electronics wipe on both sides, wrapping it round your finger to get in the nooks and crannies and to wipe off any dirt thats hardened. Let it dry naturally. You could also substitute this with a normal wipe.
How Often Should You Clean The TV Screen
You should clean the TV screen as necessary.
– Microfiber cloth designed for cleaning eyeglasses or camera lenses
– TV screen cleaning solution
– Water
Theres no specific rule, but if you notice an annoying, greasy mark, deal with it as soon as possible.
If dust is the only thing that shows up on your screen, cleaning it once a week is good practice. Make sure you regularly clean the TV as you dont want dust to enter the casing and cause damage.
Don’t Miss: Sanyo Soundbar Fwsb405fs Turn On Without Remote
Avoid These Products When Cleaning Your TV
Windex was a pretty good choice for cleaning old TVs, but you should never use it on LCD and OLED screens. Sony also advises against the use of chemicals containing benzene and other harsh chemicals. Acetone, alcohol, and ammonia are off-limits, too . These products can remove the anti-reflective coating and affect your viewing experience.
Pre-treated dusting cloths are not better either, says Good Housekeeping. While they’re effective at removing dust, they contain oils that can build up on the TV screen and leave marks. Screen cleaners are generally safe, but you can get the same results with a microfiber cloth.
If you’re dealing with ink or grease stains, it’s okay to use a damp cloth. Just make sure you don’t spray anything on the screen. Apply a little bit of water on the cloth and then gently wipe the display in a circular motion. When you’re done, use a dry microfiber cloth to clean your TV screen once more.
Can I Use Water Instead
You can potentially use distilled water do not be tempted to use tap water – instead of a dedicated cleaning solution, spraying a tiny bit onto a microfibre cloth as previously instructed. However, it is more likely to leave streaks and sometimes static too which will only attract more dust the dedicated cleaning solutions and wipes are specially formulated with anti-static properties.
Don’t Miss: How To Get Tubi On Lg Smart TV
Removing Scratches From Flat Screen TVs
Washing With A Vinegar And Water Solution
Read Also: How To Connect Universal Remote To Emerson TV
So Whats The Best Way To Clean Your Oled TV Screen
Whether you have an OLED TV or an equally impressive LCD screen, its crucial to remember two points before you start unplug your TV from the wall outlet, and whatever you do, be gentle!
- First, using a lint-free microfiber cloth, wipe over the screen, removing the loose dust particles
- For any stubborn looking smears, dip a clean microfiber cloth in vinegar, squeeze it out until just damp and gently wipe off the smear
- Mix a solution of 50% distilled water and 50% vinegar and pop it in a spray bottle
- Lightly mist a microfiber cloth before carefully wiping over the TV screen, making sure you get right into the corners. Using a circular action is better than going in lines
- Repeat the neat vinegar process if any stains and smears remain
- Wipe the screen over with a microfiber cloth, being careful not to rub too hard
What Features Can Prevent Burn
You should enable all burn-in protections that exist on your TV. For example, if you have an LG OLED, you can set Logo Luminance Adjustment to High to dim static areas of the screen. This is an aggressive setting, but it works, and its ideal if you play a lot of games on your TV.
Pixel shifting is another feature found on many OLED models. This shifts the onscreen image so that different pixels are used, spreading wear over a wider pixel area. Your TV will also likely have a screensaver that kicks in after a short period, although be aware that this only applies to system apps and menus .
Most major consoles also offer a screen dimming setting, which reduces brightness to avoid burn-in. You can find these settings on the PlayStation 5, most Xbox models, and the Nintendo Switch. Youll need to do this manually if youre using a PC with your OLED TV.
Some games allow you to disable HUD elements or enable HUD transparency, which can both help in reducing static images.
You May Like: How To Cast Your Oculus Quest 2 To Your TV
How To Clean An Lg TV Screen
Sep 25, 2021 | Guides, LG, Smart TV
If you have an LG TV, you know how amazing they are for viewing your favorite shows and movies. However, having fingerprints and other dirt on the screen can make it extremely annoying to watch shows. Knowing how to clean the TV screen will ensure you always have the clearest picture. So, how do you clean an LG TV screen?
LG TVs are best cleaned with dry clothes, microfiber cloths, or other soft cloths. Water and liquid should not be sprayed onto the TV. Never use chemicals or household cleaning products to clean an LG TV.
You might still be wondering the best tips for how to clean your TV and what solutions you should clean it with if any. We will go over all of this in this article as well as tips for keeping the TV clean so you dont need to spend time wiping it down as often.
Screen Damage From Cleaning
I have a weird situation and I’m hoping someone can provide me with some information.
Today I bought an LG OLED65B6P for $2000 from Fry’s. The catch was that it’s a display model.
I checked it out thoroughly with my SO and there was nothing wrong with it. Believe me, we looked closely and for a long time.
I paid and left to pick up my truck so we could safely transport it home.
When we returned to pick it up, the sales associate was cleaning the screen with a spray bottle and a rag. The cleaning wasn’t going well and left a ton of streaks. I didn’t think anything of it.
I got home, set it up, turned on something, and when the screen was filled with wonderful bright colors I saw something terrible. Water marks.
It has that look like someone used a wet rag to clean something and it dried with lots of streaks.
I looked on the LG website and cleaned the screen per their instructions. Then I turned the TV back on and it was still there, just as apparent as it was before a proper cleaning.
I called LG and they told me to return it. I called Frys and they told me to bring it in so a manager can look at it.
Heres the huge issue. Since its a display model they charge a 15% restocking fee for a return. Thats $300.
I believe that the associate somehow damaged the screen when he was cleaning it. I dont know how that would have happened, but the LG website clearly states not to use alcohol, thinners, or benzene and not to spray anything directly onto the screen
Don’t Miss: How To Change Battery In Apple TV Remote 4th Generation
Whats The Best Way To Clean My TV Screen
First, delicately remove anything that might be abrasives from the surface, so you dont scratch your screen while youre trying to clean it. For this, youll need a fine microfibre cloth to wipe the whole surface very gently.
Before you resort to screen wipes or cleaning solution, go to your TV manufacturer’s website and look for their specific cleaning instructions here they’ll often make it clear which brands they recommend, and what products not to use.
In most cases, you can use either LCD screen cleaning wipes or spray a tiny amount of special cleaning solution onto a fine microfibre cloth, gently wiping the screen in circular motions until the screen is clean and dry. Dont press hard even if the dirt doesnt come off immediately and never over-saturate a cloth with cleaning solution. All youll get is serious streaking, and a few small sprays is all you need.
Never use paper towels or other cloths as these could scratch the screen and/or leave lint. And never spray cleaning products directly onto the TV screen as it could be a disaster, particularly for the delicate anti-glare coatings on LCD and OLED displays.
Wipe Those Flatscreens Down
You need to know how to properly clean your TV whether its a brand new one with a bunch of different requirements or one youve had years that you really should be taking better care of.
Cleaning your TV isnt just for the sake of hygiene. It also ensures that layers of dirt and dust on on your display isnt obscuring your viewing experience and stopping your picture from looking its best. Not to mention fingerprint marks can really irritate you once youve spotted even the faintest one mid-movie.
And its not just the display that you need to consider. Vents and speaker grilles also present big problems for dust given theres a constant flow of air through the machinery. Old homes that have fireplaces are particularly bad for kicking out a lot of debris into the air that can clog up expensive kit we have not-so-fond memories of our old Xbox 360 wheezing from coal dust back in the day.
But how exactly are you meant to keep your television clean without damaging the parts or the screen?
To make sure youre treating your TV with the cleaning care it needs, we spoke to the TV specialists at Richer Sounds to find out how to clean your television, and the most common pitfalls to avoid.
- The best small TVs are perfect as second screens in your home
Also Check: Can You Cast Tik Tok To TV
Start With A Dry Soft Cloth
Screens can scratch easily, and even paper towels or tissues contain fibers that can do damage. Your best bet is to use a soft, anti-static microfiber cloththe kind used to clean eyeglasses and camera lensesand wipe in a circular motion, says John Walsh, who cleans more than 250 TVs a year in his role as a CR photographer. Gently wipe the screen with a dry cloth to remove dust and other debris, but dont press too hard, he says.
You may also want to wipe down the TVs cabinet, and make sure dust isnt clogging the vents that help dissipate heat. If the TV is on a stand and not tethered to the wall, Walsh suggests cleaning with one hand while supporting the TV with the other to prevent the set from tipping over. However, CR strongly recommends anchoring all stand-mounted TVs using anti-tipping straps designed for this purpose.
If there are hard-to-remove stains, you can dampen the cloth slightly with distilled water, and gently clean the screen. Dont spray water directly onto the screen, which could cause a shock or component failure if it seeps into the inner workings of the set.
For the most stubborn stains, you can try using a solution of very mild dish soap highly diluted with water, once again applied to the cloth and not to the TV itself. LCD screens, in particular, are very sensitive to pressure and can scratch easily, so dont press too hard.
Use Only Gentle Cleaners
After using a dry cloth, water is your best option for removing dirty spots. If that doesnt work, you can try dish soap diluted with warm water, which is also safe for the screen.
As an alternative, you can choose to purchase a cleaning product made specifically for tech and electronics like the Monoprice Universal Screen Cleaner , but if you pick something else youll want to make sure that it doesnt contain any alcohol, ammonia, or harsh chemicals that are harmful to TVs.
Read Also: What Channel Is Nhra Drag Racing On Directv
Use Harmful Cleaning Agents
There is a wide range of cleaning products that can be abrasive for your TV screen and arent safe while cleaning, including those with ammonia, vinegar, and solvents, such as alcohol, thinners, or benzene. This includes Windex and other window cleaners. These can damage the anti-glare coating on your screen or cause discoloration.
Pledge Electronics Wipes: The Best Electronics Wipes
Price: £2.50 | Buy now from Ocado
Electronics wipes are soft, non-abrasive, wet disposable wipes designed specifically for cleaning electronics surfaces. These anti-static ones are suitable for TV screens, as well as smartphones, computer screens, and any other electronics surfaces, working quickly to remove dust, smudges and fingerprints without leaving behind any lint, sticky residue or streaks. The resealable pouch means they stay moist.
Price: £3.99 | Buy now from Lakeland
Not sure if your microfibre cloth is fine enough for use on a delicate TV screen? You can be totally sure this one is as its made specifically with tv screens in mind. Its extra thick and double layered, so it works a treat on removing dust, dirt and fingerprints. You can wipe in circular movements with no smearing in sight. Its machine washable and you get two in a pack, so youve always got one to remove the dirt and another to polish. As a bonus, you can use it on your glasses too.
Price: £8.95 |
Price: £10.59 |
Also Check: How To Get Philo On Lg Smart TV
How To Clean A Flat Screen TV
No matter what kind of television you have, start by turning it off. Youll be able to see the dust and smudges much better on a dark screen.
Next, grab a dry, soft cloth. Dont use paper towels, as they can contain fibers that can do damage to the screen, according to Consumer Reports. Gently wipe the screen to remove any dust, just make sure not to press too hard.
If there are any hard-to-remove marks, Consumer Reports notes you can dampen the cloth with a little distilled water to clean the screen. Dont spray water directly onto the screen, which could cause a shock or component failure if it drips or seeps into the inner workings of the set, according to Consumer Reports. In addition, for stubborn stains, try using a mix of mild dish soap that has been highly diluted with water.
For any questions, consult your owners manual. Each company from LG, Panasonic, Samsung, Sony and Toshiba all include cleaning instructions and each companys cleaning methods may vary, according to CNET.
If you have an LCD or plasma screen, you should also consult your owners manual, as you may be able to use a commercial cleaning solution specifically made for these screens, notes CNET.