Don’t Forget The Remote Control
Remote controls can not only get dusty but also harbor a fair number of germs.
Heres some basic advice about cleaning your remote controls. We also have more details on how to sanitize your remote control during the coronavirus pandemic.
Remove the batteries before you start cleaning. Then start by turning the remote upside down so that the buttons are facing downward, and tap the remote against your palm to dislodge any debris that might have fallen between the keys or buttons. Wipe down the entire remote with a soft cloth that has been sprayed with a tiny bit of alcohol diluted with water. The cloth should be damp, not wet.
To clean in and around the buttons, you can use a cotton swab dampened with the alcohol/water mix. More stubborn debris lodged deeper into the keys can be dislodged with a dry toothbrush or wooden toothpick.
Last, wipe down the whole remote once again with a dry, soft cloth and reinstall the batteries. Thats it!
The Best Way To Clean A TV Screen
The best way to clean a TV screen is to start with a dry cleaning method. Dont forget, keep all hands off the TV screen as the less you touch your TV screen, the better. Follow the steps below and you should be able to get rid of most dirt and grime without worrying about damage to your flat screen.
If cleaning your TV with a dry microfiber cloth still leaves smudges, dirt, and fingerprints, youre going to need more cleaning muscle. Keep reading to find out what to clean a TV screen with to get rid of tough dust and dirt.
Never Clean With Chemicals
If youre someone who loves a spotless house and smudge-free screens, you may want to take out your most dependable cleaner and give your flat-screen TV a spritz and a quick wipe with your favorite paper towel. Dont do it! Harsh chemicals can damage the screen and paper towels and other abrasive materials can scratch it. Instead, follow the more traditional method for how to clean a TV screen:
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Cleaning An Lcd Screen With Mild Dish Soap
Popular brands like Sony and Panasonic suggest using mild dish soap to clean stubborn spots on your TV screen that cannot be cleaned using a microfiber cloth. The recommended ratio for this cleaning solution is 100 times the amount of water to the amount of dish soap.
This comes out to approximately one teaspoon of liquid dish soap for every two cups of water. When cleaning, do not substitute tap water for distilled water.
Tap water contains minerals that can leave water spots or residue on the screen, so distilled water is the only way to clean your LCD screen without leaving streaks.
LCD TV Screen Cleaner Recipe
- 1 tsp mild dish soap
- 2 cups of distilled water
- A soft cloth
Soak the cleaning cloth in the solution then wring it out thoroughly. Avoid leaving too much water in the cleaning cloth, or it might make its way into your television and ruin it.
The liquid dish soap breaks down the oils in the grime left behind on your TV screen, making it easier for you to wipe away greasy residue. Afterward, dry your TV screen using a dry cloth of the same variety used to clean it.
This simple cleaning recipe is also great to keep on hand for how to clean eyeglasses. Pour some in a small bottle that you can keep in your purse or on your desk to have when your glasses get smudged.
Cleaning Tough Stains Off A Flat Screen TV
Sometimes a TV has a little more on it than dust and fingerprints, especially if you have children. Mild dish soap is a safe way for cleaning a flat screen TV to remove tough stains without causing streaks.
- Microfiber towel
Fill a bowl with warm distilled water, add a drop or two of mild dish soap, and mix the water with your fingers. Dunk the corner of a soft cloth into the solution without saturating the material.
Rub the dampened cloth with a gentle motion on the TV screen, paying particular attention to the extra dirty areas. Dry the screen well using a soft, microfiber towel.
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Can I Use Vinegar And Water To Clean My Flat
You betcha. That really is all that you need to clean your electronic devices. But, I would recommend that you use distilled water rather than tap water for the best possible results.
You dont need an expensive store-bought product when this simple DIY screen cleaner works just as well. Im all about keeping my grocery budget as low as I can especially when the changes dont impact the quality of what Im using.
This spray really does work just as well as the expensive cleaners you buy in your local tech store.
What To Do If Your Screen Has Stains On It
Most people notice blotches or discolored stains on their flat screens as soon as they let Windex sit for a minute or so. The stains are the result of the harsh chemicals in the glass cleaner eating away at the thin coating covering your screen.
The stains are usually more visible when the screen is off, although their visibility also depends on the amount of damage. If the coating is fully damaged, youll see the stains even when the TV is on, especially when the screen flashes white or blue.
You will start noticing the stains and blotches after a minute or two, as Windex starts working. As soon as you notice them, get a dry microfiber cloth, like this one, and remove the coat of Windex from your screen. Meticulously clean all the places where the spots are. If Windex wasnt on your screen for too long, the spots should come off after a few minutes. Make sure you get everything off.
However, if you used too much Windex or let it sit for too long, removing these blotches and stains could be next to impossible. If a dry cloth isnt giving results, try dampening it slightly and trying again.
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What Is Windex And Why Is It Harmful For Your TV
Windex is a glass and hard surface cleaner. As such, it contains several heavy chemicals:
- Lauramine-oxide
- Ammonia
- Isopropanolamine
These chemicals are great for cleaning windows or hard surfaces like metal. However, they can easily damage plastic or similar materials, which is why they are so harmful to your TV screen.
LCD/LED TV screens have only a thin protective filter layer over the LCD/LED panels. Therefore, it isnt okay to clean these TVs with Windex or other similar cleaners because they will damage the filter layer. In fact, the less liquid you use on them, the better and safer youll be.
How To Clean A TV Screen
If you take a closer look at your flat screen TV, you may be surprised by all the dust, dirt, and fingerprints across the screen and on the housing. When the lights are down and youre watching your favorite movies, it may not be so noticeable, but the truth is it affects your viewing pleasureand your TVs performance and life span.
Your television is a commonly missed cleaning spot, but its a project that should be on your monthly cleaning checklist. Lets discuss how to clean a TV screen, the housing, and the connections for audio/video equipment.
Most of our how-to cleaning posts start with a list of supplies and information you need to know before you get down to business. But learning how to clean a flat screen TV is a bit different from most cleaning chores. Thats because cleaning a LCD, LED, or other flat screen TV incorrectly could shorten its lifespan, affect performance, or even cause damage.
Instead of starting with what to do, were going to begin our guide for how to clean a TV screen with what not to do when learning how to clean a flat screen TV.
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Cleaning The TV Screen And Cabinet
- Unplug the TV from the electrical outlet before you clean the screen.
- Clean the LCD screen with a soft, dry cloth. For more stubborn stains, you can use a soft cloth slightly dampened with a solution of mild soap and warm water. When you clean the screen, wipe it in small circular motions from top to bottom. Immediately afterward, use a soft cloth to dry the screen.
Note:
How To Clean A Flat Screen
To clean a flat screen, whether it’s a TV, laptop monitor, tablet touch screen or smartphone, use the same approach. Remove dust with a clean microfiber cloth, and for oil and other smudges, wipe with a bit of distilled water and white vinegar.
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Ways To Clean A TV Screen Without Streaks
There are many ways to clean a TV screen without streaks, whether you have a Samsung, Sony, or another TV brand. Cleaning a screen TV without streaks by performing routine dry cleaning of the surface is the easiest way to remove dirt and dust. The same technique is useful when cleaning a laptop screen.
- Electrostatic cloth
Never wipe your TV down with paper towels or toilet paper. These materials are mildly abrasive and leave tiny scratches on the surface, which leads to the dulling of the screen.
Make sure the television is turned off while cleaning, and always use a soft, electrostatic cloth or duster. Clean the screen surface weekly using one of these items to remove dust and tiny particles. Dusting ensures that there arent any bits of dirt that potentially leave scratches during wet cleaning.
How To Fix A TV Screen Cleaned With Windex
Most people believe that using window cleaners, such as Windex, to clean their LED/plasma TV screens is acceptable. Since the majority of old TV screens they grew up with allowed this, it is not a surprise that people think newer TVs do so as well. However, new TV screens arent made of glass, and therefore dont mix well with Windex.
But why is Windex so harmful to your flat TV and what should you do if youve already used it to clean your screen? And, more importantly, what are the alternatives to Windex, i.e., what should you actually clean your TV with?
Read on to learn the answers to all these questions, as well as some other cool tips and useful recommendations.
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Cleaning A Screen TV Without Streaks Using Vinegar And Water
If there are smeared stains of fingerprints on your TV screen, adding vinegar to the water loosens greasy residue safely from the screen without leaving streaks. Avoid using a glass cleaning spray on a plasma TV or HDTV to prevent damaging the screen.
- Microfiber cloth
Pour equal parts water and vinegar or isopropyl alcohol into a spray bottle and shake well. Use distilled water instead of tap water to prevent leaving a residue on the screen. Spray the solution onto a microfiber cloth. Do not spray it directly on the TV screen.
Turn off the TV so that the cleaning process does not interfere with the pixels. The black screen also helps you see dirt and smears easier. Rub the damp cloth over the entire screen using a gentle circular motion. Buff the screen dry using a microfiber cloth.
Use this simple home remedy to clean mirrors throughout your house, too. These ingredients will leave your mirrors and any glass surface shiny and streak-free.
Cleaning With A Microfiber Cloth
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Never Neglect The Calibration
Most flat screen TVs today come with pretty accurate settings for color, brightness, contrast, etc., but if you have the patience and ambition to perfect the calibration, then get to it because it will ultimately make the viewing experience better. You can hire a professional to do this for you or you can do it yourself, but be sure to educate yourself first!
While youre thinking of colors on your screen, consider the colors in your house. Check out these thirteen colors trends of 2019.
Other Parts Of Your TV You Might Need To Clean
If youve ever scraped lint out of a smartphone charging port, then youll know that dust and debris will find its way into any nook and cranny it can.
Youre not putting a TV in your pocket, so lint shouldnt be a problem, but TV ports, such as HDMI and USB inputs, can get dusty. If you havent used one of your HDMI inputs before and go to plug in a new device, you could push that built-up dust into your TVs innards. This may not cause any issues at all, but its best avoided just in case.
Wipe the ports with a cloth. If theyre particularly dusty, you can use a vacuum cleaner on its lowest setting to clear out any debris. Try not to push into the port since this could damage the connection.
You dont need to spend thousands to get a great TV we reveal the best cheap TVs.
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Can I Use Windex On A Flat Screen TV
While it may be tempting to use Windex to clean your flat-screen TV, its best to skip cleaners. Thats because Windex contains ammonia and alcohol, which according to CNET, isnt friendly to your screen. S.C. Johnson doesnt explicitly say not to use Windex on HD TVs, but it offers Windex Electronics wipes and cleaners, so infer what you will. The better screen cleaners will clearly state that they do not contain alcohol or ammonia.
Tips For Cleaning A Television Screen Without Damaging It
The best way to clean an LED TV screen does not require using any fancy gadgets, rigorous cleaning methods, or heavy chemicals. Note that many of these tips also work to clean a computer screen or that of your laptop or iPad. These electronics require a delicate touch so that you dont damage the screen or the internal works behind it.
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How To Clean A Flat Screen TV
By: HowStuffWorks.com Contributors | Updated: Mar 31, 2021
Flat screen monitors such as those found on your TV or computer are known as LCD monitors or high-definition flat-panel display. They’re very different from the screens found on old CRT or “tube” TV models. Those older models had thick glass which could easily be cleaned with window cleaner and a paper towel. Not so with an LCD or plasma screen. The LCD panel is made of specially designed flexible plastic and is very sensitive to chemicals. If you apply cleaners with chemicals in them, you may end up with a blank flat screen. Even using ordinary kitchen towels or paper towels may scratch the screen and leave lint.
As you can see, it’s important to know how to clean your flat screen TV without causing damage. You can, of course, buy bottles of special cleaner, but why bother when you can make the solution yourself?
Here’s how to clean a flat screen TV:
Some Words Of Warning And Advice Before We Go More In
You need to make sure that you read the manual for your television. If you chucked it out when you threw out your television box, then dont worry. A quick Google search should help you find a PDF version of the guide. You need to do this to make sure that you are following any special instructions for your TV in addition to the steps we outline below.
There are some things that you should never use on to clean a flat screen TV because the risk of damage is too high. You should never use soap, detergent, window cleaner or any other alcohol-based cleaning solvents. You should also not use an abrasive cleaning cloth or paper towel to do so risks scratching your screen and causing permanent damage. If you are using a liquid-based screen cleaning solution, make sure that you dont spray it directly onto the television. Lightly, dampen a cloth and use the cloth to wipe the screen.
You need to protect yourself and your television as well if you are not using a wall mount. Flat screen TVs on a stand require special care to avoid your television tipping over and your flat screen breaking. Hold the television with one hand and clean with the other. When you have finished cleaning your television you should really look at getting your television mounted or at least tethered to the wall. This is especially important if you have children as you dont want them to pull the tv down on themselves.
Ready for a clean flat screen TV? Follow these steps:
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