How To Properly Clean A TV Screen
If you want to get the best picture quality from your TV, its important to clean it every once in a while. However, most flatscreen TVs are made of fragile materials, which can easily be damaged if you clean them with harsh chemicals, such as Windex. Heres how to clean your dusty or dirty TV screen without damaging it.
How To Clean Your Flat
Don’t overthink ita soft cloth may be all you really need
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Now that the NFL football season has kicked off, you probably want to see all the on-field action as clearly as you can. But TVs, like other electronic items, can attract dust and get marred by blemishes, such as childrens fingerprints.
Fortunately, cleaning your flat-screen TV is a straightforward process that doesnt require any pricey chemicals.
While youre at it, also pay attention to the remote controls for your TVs, cable boxes, and streaming players. These get handled much more than TVs and harbor pathogens along with plain old grime. We have advice for cleaning both TVs and remotes below.
When it comes to TVs, the current market is dominated by superbright, big-screen LCD and OLED TVs. However, many of us still have older sets, including plasma TVs, which companies stopped manufacturing in 2014, and even CRTVsalso called tube TVswhich started disappearing around 2008.
If youre cleaning an older tube TV, you have a bit more flexibility because its screen is made of glass and can be cleaned like other glass items in your household. In thisand only thisinstance, its okay to use a window cleaner, such as Windex.
Here are all our tips for cleaning your flat-screen TV.
What To Clean Your TV Screen With
Before you rush out to buy tons of cleaning supplies, you should know what TV screen cleaners will deliver the best results many of which are made from household products you likely already have on hand.
You can use many of the same products for cleaning both a flat-screen or a tube TV. The supplies youll need include:
- Dry microfiber cloth
- Pre-moistened wipes
If youll also be cleaning TV accessories like detached speakers or remote controls, youll want to have a lint roller, handheld vacuum, and a few disinfectant wipes, as well.
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Taking Care Of Your Projector Speaker And The Rest Of Your Gear
Projector lenses should be cleaned in the same way a TV is cleaned. Those lenses can also have special coatings on them, so we want to be as gentle as possible.
Check whether your projector has a dust filterthe manual will let you know. Remove the filter, and clean it with compressed air while standing away from the projector.
Consult your projector manual to see if you can also wash it with water. But be certain it is completely dry before placing it back into the projector.
For speakers, dust them with a microfiber cloth. Then use water or soap to remove smudges from surfaces. Do not attempt to clean the speaker drivers because they can be very fragile. If there is a lot of dust on the drivers, use compressed air from a few inches away then use speaker grills to help prevent this.
For other AV components, dust them, and be sure to check the ventilation holes on them to keep them free of obstructions. Receivers and other speaker amplifiers are the most likely to generate excessive heat, and they need the most ventilation.
To keep the surfaces and area behind your AV gear tidy, bundle your cables together using our recommended cable ties. This helps prevent the buildup of dust around the components, and it makes the surfaces easier to clean and keep dust-free.
Upgrade Your TV At Rent
If youve removed all of the dust from your TV, but youre still not satisfied with your home viewing experience, it might be time for an upgrade. Fortunately, Rent-A-Center has an impressive selection of flat-screen TVs at a price you can afford were talking 70-, 75-, and 80-inch TVs you can take home on a flexible and convenient payment plan. Shop Rent-A-Center in-store or online, and elevate your home theater setup in no time!
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What Is The Best Way To Clean A Flat
First, its important to note that the cleaning tips below will work whether you have an LCD TV screen or another type, including LED , QLED , OLED , or plasma. LEDs are most commonly sold today, and although plasma TVs have glass screens, they usually have a special anti-glare coating that requires a gentle touch. Note that if you have an older tube TV, you can still use these methods, but you can also use window cleaner .
Dont void your warranty with negligent cleaning.
The first step in knowing how to clean a TV screen is to locate the owners manual for your television. This is especially important if your TV is still under warranty, as using cleaning products or processes that arent recommended by the manufacturer may void the warranty. If you recycled those documents ages ago, start with a simple Google search or check a site like Manuals Online.
Safety first: Unplug the TV before you embark with any cleaning tips.
Before you begin cleaning your television, unplug it. This will prevent any possible electrical mishaps such as unexpected shock, and turning the television screen off helps you fully assess it for issues like lint and grime. To better see dust, fingerprints, and smudges, turn it away from a light source, Stewart recommends.
Gently wipe down dust and lint with a microfiber cloth.
Spray just enough cleaning solution to dampen the microfiber cloth.
Suck up dust and lint with a vacuum attachment.
Can I Use Windex On My TV Screen
If you can picture the hulking tube TVs of yore, you may also remember how delightfully easy they were to cleana few spritzes of window cleaner and some wipes with paper towels and you were good to gono special microfiber cloth required. But modern TVs with fancier technologies like LCD, OLED, and plasma call for gentler techniques. Avoid using chemicals like alcohol, ammonia or acetones when cleaning your TV. These cleaners were safe to use for previous generations of TVs with glass panels, but as the hardware changes with time, the cleaning methods do too, says Williams. Since some multi-purpose and glass cleaners are made with ammonia, skip the Windex.
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Cleaning The 2022 Frame Or Serif TV
The 2022 Frame TV and 2022 Serif TV have a special reflective surface that is designed to reduce glare. However, some fingerprints and smudges will be harder to clean because of it. Try using a microfiber cloth, but if it doesn’t work you can use a melamine foam sponge . Follow these steps exactly to clean the screen:
Turn off the TV and unplug the power cord.
Lightly dampen a microfiber cleaning cloth with a few drops of water and gently wipe the stain.
Important: Do not wet the sponge before wiping the TV. Only lightly dampen the stain using the microfiber cloth as described in step 2. Do not use any cleaning solutions.
Gently clean the stain with the melamine foam sponge before the water dries up.
Remove Streaks With Distilled Water
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Can You Use Lysol Wipes On TV Screen
The electronics your family uses the most are often the ones that need the most frequent cleaning. In this new world of touch screens and screen protectors, cleaning electronics can often be a challenge. Lysol® Disinfecting Wipes are suitable to use on electronics, making the cleaning process easier than you think.
Is It Possible To Clean A Television Screen With Windex
Unless you have an old television with a glass display, it is not recommended to use Windex on it. It is also important to be cautious not to spray liquid directly onto your television screen. It is possible that if this is done incorrectly, it will cause damage to the display or even an electrical fire.
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How To Clean A TV Screen Without Damaging It
Is your TV screen showing dust, fingerprints and mystery marks? Time to clean it
If your TV is showing unsightly fingerprints, marks or smudges, you’ll need to know how to clean a TV screen. This is often the case if youve got young children running around or frantic pets around. In addition, dust will cover the screen quickly, even if you have one of the best TVs after all, we spend a lot of time in front of it.
But how do you safely clean a TV screen without damaging it? Read our handy step-by-step guide to help you wipe away any marks and have a clear, crisp image once again .
Using A Water And Alcohol Solution
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Spring Clean Your TV Screen But Don’t Use Just Any Cleaner
Your spring cleaning routine should include your TV. Just be careful about what you use and how you use it.
Geoffrey Morrison
Geoffrey Morrison is a writer/photographer for CNET, Forbes, and The New York Times. He also the Editor-at-large for The Wirecutter. He has written for Sound& Vision magazine, Home Theater magazine, and was the Editor in Chief of Home Entertainment magazine. He is NIST and ISF trained, and has a degree in Television/Radio from Ithaca College. His bestselling novel, Undersea, and its sequel, Undersea Atrophia, are available in paperback and as an ebook on Amazon. He spends most of the year as a digital nomad, living and working while traveling around the world. You can follow his travels at BaldNomad.com.
As the weather warms, it’s time for everyone’s “favorite” pastime: spring cleaning. While you’re dusting off the shelves and shoveling out a winter’s worth of detritus, spare a moment to check your TV. Dust and grime can accumulate there, and over time it can become more and more noticeable. And if you have children, there may be an array of fingerprints and other smears on the screen.
Regardless, it’s worth giving your TV a once-over. But beware! Before you start shining that screen, you’ll want to put down the bottle of Windex and paper towels: Spraying Windex on your TV is an easy way to permanently damage the screen. In fact, all modern TVs have special coatings on their surface that can be ruined by strong cleansers.
Cleaning Your Lg 4k Oled Or Led TV
- Troubleshooting
- TV Audio Video Accessories, TVs
Cleaning your 4K, OLED, or LED TV screen with a soft, dry cloth is recommended.
If you have already used liquid on the screen, dry it as quickly as possible .
Caution: Chemicals such as alcohol, thinners, or benzene should be strictly avoided, as they may damage the protective film covering the panel.
Caution: Don’t spray water or other liquids directly on the TV, as electric shock could occur.
These guidelines apply to the TV’s screen, as well as the housing . Moisture on or near the TV should be avoided, as it could cause short circuits in the electronic components.
Find a Soft, Lint-free Cloth
The micro-fiber cloth provided with some phones, tablets, or computers works great for this.
Unplug the Power Cord
We don’t want anyone getting shocked.
Gently Wipe the Screen
The goal here is to avoid scratching the screen. Gentle, circular motions tend to give better results, since the circular motion hits each area from several angles in a single swipe.
Caution: Some spots may be more difficult to remove, such as food or drink. Be very careful not to cause physical damage to the TV, as this can become expensive to repair.
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Where Can I Find A Reputable Cleaning Company
If you arent sure how to clean smudges off your flat screen TV or have another question for top cleaning experts, Castle Keepers is here for you. We are a top-rated, reliable maid service, which can help you get rid of pesky dust bunnies and cobwebs, consistently keep your carpeting in check, and provide you with streak-free windows all year round.
Thorough regular cleaning protects your family, especially if someone in the household has pet hair allergies or another respiratory issue. With our tried-and-tested methods and a team of trained specialists, your space will be fresh, presentable, and safe. Give us a call today!
Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning TV Screens
To keep your TV in excellent shape, note these common TV cleaning mistakes:
- Forgetting to Dust First:“A big misstep when cleaning a TV is forgetting to dust the screen before using a cleaning agent,” says Cohoon. This can lead to tiny scratches that slowly degrade picture quality.
- Scrubbing Too Hard: Modern TV screens are delicate and require a gentle touch. Wiping too vigorously or using a rough cloth can damage the screen quickly.
- Spraying Solution Directly Onto the TV: All wet cleaners should be sprayed onto a cloth and then wiped over the TV. Spraying directly onto the screen can create spots that are hard to remove. It also puts you at risk of damaging the speakers.
- Using Non-Approved Cleaners: Using store-bought glass cleaners on OLED or LCD TV screens is a big no-no. Stapf says, “These products contain harsh ingredients like alcohol and ammonia, which can damage the panels of the screen.”
- Using Too Much Cleaner: You only need a small amount of screen-friendly cleaner too much can potentially lead to moisture damage.
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Removing Scratches Off A Flat Screen TV After Cleaning
After cleaning LCD or plasma screens, its easy to notice minor scratches on the clean surface. Not to worry, these scratches are easy to remove using a scratch repair kit or by applying petroleum jelly.
- Microfiber cloth
Before repairing scratches on your TV, check the owner manual for warranty information on your television. After cleaning your TV, and allowing it to dry completely, apply about one teaspoon of petroleum jelly to all of the surface scratches.
After filling the scratched areas, use a soft, clean cloth to wipe off excess jelly. Do not press on the screen too hard while wiping the area.
Smudged fingerprints on the screen of your flat screen TV are annoying. While its tempting to grab a bottle of window cleaner for quick cleaning of the TV screen, doing this causes damage to the surface. Simple ingredients such as distilled water or vinegar work best at removing smears without leaving a cloudy residue on the surface.
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Older tube TVs can be cleaned in a similar manner as above, but with a few variations.
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