How To Clean A TV Screen
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, which contain fibers that can damage the screen, according to Consumer Reports. Gently wipe the screen to remove any dust. Just be sure not to press too hard.
If there are any hard-to-remove marks, Consumer Reports suggests dampen the cloth with a little distilled water. 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. For stubborn stains, try a mix of mild dish soap 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 their methods may vary, per CNET.
If you have an LCD or plasma screen, also consult your owners manual. You may be able to use a commercial cleaning solution specifically made for these screens, according to CNET.
How Do You Clean Fingerprints Off A TV Screen
There are many ways to remove fingerprints on your Samsung TV screen. Before you begin, remember that a damp cloth will not remove the stains. This is because water will heat up the screen and damage the panels. Instead, use a microfiber cloth and clean the screen with circular motions. You can also use warm water to remove stubborn stains. Be sure to clean the corners of the screen to prevent any scratches.
Another simple method is to use distilled water. This will remove most greasy marks without damaging the TVs surface. However, if youre concerned about damaging the screen, you can use mild dish soap mixed with water. To use this method, read your TVs owners manual. Never use household cleaning substitutes, including window cleaners, as these may cause permanent damage and void the warranty.
If your TV came with a microfiber cloth, use it. But always use a cloth specially designed for delicate surfaces. A MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Cloth is a good example. This cloth is designed to clean sensitive surfaces and should be used gently with circular motions, never press hard, or you could scratch the screen. And dont forget to dry the screen properly after cleaning it.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning A Flat
Before you wipe down your flat-screen TV with just any old rag and cleaning product you have lying around, stop and think. Electronics, by their very nature, are delicate. Televisions are no exception. Most television screens are comprised of many layers of relatively thin and delicate material. The wrong chemical or even too rough of a cloth can cause irreversible damage, scuffs, or scratches.
One of the most common mistakes people make when cleaning flat-screen TVs, for example, is using a regular dishcloth or even a paper towel to wipe the screen down. What you may not realize when you do this is that paper towels, napkins, and standard dishcloths are all made of slightly abrasive materials that will create surface scratches on your screen as you wipe.
Another common mistake to avoid when cleaning your flat-screen TV is using a cleaning chemical that is not specifically designed for use on electronics. Glass cleaner is not safe to use on a flat-screen TV because television screens are not made of standard glass.
The worst thing you could do is remove the television from the TV mount to clean it. It is not only dangerous but you run the risk of dropping your TV. Just keep it on the mount!
Also Check: How To Clean Your TV Screen
How To Clean A TV Screen Using A Vinegar And Water Solution
Vinegar is the all-purpose cleaner that just makes your life easier. Not only is it effective at removing stains, odors, and most bacteria, it makes an excellent DIY TV screen cleaner. This natural TV screen cleaner is non-toxic and easy to make.
- Lint-free cloth
Mix the vinegar and distilled water, using equal parts of both ingredients. Add these to a spray bottle and spray them onto a microfiber cleaning cloth. Just as with the dish soap and water solution, it is important not to spray the solution directly onto the TV screen to avoid excess liquids seeping into the electronics.
The owners manual for Samsung TVs warns that moisture inside the Samsung TV screen can cause the TV to stop working and increases the risk of electrocution or fire. Instead, spray the solution onto the cleaning cloth, then wipe down the TV.
What To Use To Clean A TV Screen
Cleaning your television with the right materials and products is importantâyou don’t want to use anything that could harm your screen. Using a dry microfiber cloth, like those used on glasses and camera lenses, is the best way to clean a TV screen. It should get rid of fingerprint smudges and dust, the most likely causes of imperfections.
TV cleaning kits, which usually come with a microfiber cloth and liquid screen cleaner, are safe to use and are available at most electronics stores. But they can be expensive, and you’ll only need the liquid cleaner for serious smudges and spills.
Before you start cleaning, you may want to check your TV’s manual for any recommendations. LED, LCD, OLED®, and plasma TVs all have anti-glare coatings that need to be handled properly, and some TVs have specific rules on how to clean them.
Read Also: What Was The First TV Show
Can You Use Glasses Wipes On TV
Can You Use Glasses Wipes to Clean Your Samsung TV? The answer is no. Alcohol wipes may damage your television screen. Instead, use a microfiber cloth to remove grime and oil without damaging the panel. Wipe the screen gently using circular motions with gentle pressure, taking care not to scratch the screen. If the screen appears dry after wiping it, you may want to wet the cloth with warm water.
Microfiber cloths dampened in distilled water are also a good option. Always avoid abrasive cloths or paper towels when cleaning your television screen. These can scratch or strip the anti-glare coating. Water can also damage your television screen. Dont let it drip directly onto the screen. Avoid hard rubbing or using eyeglass wipes directly on the screen. Always be sure to dry the screen before plugging it in.
Glasses wipes are often used to clean glass surfaces, but they may damage your television screen. Some glass cleaners contain ammonia, which can hurt your television screen. Paper towels can also leave paper bits on the screen. Using a soft cloth to wipe the screen will prevent the liquid crystal order from deteriorating. Make sure to turn your television off before wiping the screen, and follow the instructions in the article above to avoid damaging your television.
Learn More Here:
Can I Use Water To Clean My TV Screen
The simplest solution to clean your screen is water. Make sure to dilute it before applying it to the screen. Directly spraying water onto the screen could lead to component failure and shock. If you have a hard time removing stains and grime from your screen, try a water-and-dish-soap solution. You can also buy pre-moistened cleaning wipes at your local store.
Another way to clean your TVs screen is to use a solution of 1 part dish soap or neutral detergent to 100 parts water. For stand-mounted TVs, you may want to attach anti-tipping straps. A dampened cloth can help remove tough stains and wipe the screen gently without scratching it. Do not spray the cleaner directly onto the screen, however, because this could cause a shock and possibly a component failure.
For smudge-prone screens, you may want to use a damp microfiber cloth. The water will pick up oily stains, but you may need to add more water if the scratch is particularly deep. Lastly, you may want to avoid using paper towels or sponges on your screen as these can damage the screens protective coating. You can purchase a scratch repair kit at your local electronics store to get the job done yourself.
You May Like: How To Stream Disney Plus On TV
How To Clean A Tube TV Screen
If youre a little more old-fashioned and have a traditional cathode-ray-tube TV, the good news is that its much easier to clean!
1. Switch off and unplug the TV. Always better safe than sorry.
2. Wipe away any dust with a dry microfiber cloth. Follow the same steps for this as above.
3. How to get rid of fingerprints and smudges. Tube TVs have a traditional glass screen, so you can wet the microfiber cloth with water or a glass cleaner and go to town! These arent as delicate as flat screens, but remember, never spray directly on the screen.
4. Let your screen dry. As the screen ismade of glass, you can also buff it dry using a microfiber cloth.
How To Clean Your Flat
Don’t overthink ita soft cloth may be all you really need
When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission.Learn more.
Its probably not something you often think about, but like other electronic items, televisions 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.
For all these TVs, the advice is the same, and its simple: Clean with a soft, dry cloth to avoid scratching the screen.
Don’t Miss: How To Screen Mirror Without Apple TV
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.
The Right Way To Clean Flat
Wet cleaning is not recommended for more delicate items like LCD, plasma, or rear-projection panels. Regardless of whether you own a filthy Samsung, Sony, or LG TV or a new 4K flat-screen that you would like to maintain looking brand new without ruining it, there are a couple of home goods that can be used to clean a TV screen.
Grab your microfiber cloth or a duster , then dust your TV screen gently. To clean stubborn streaks, utilize a pre-moistened wipe especially made for electronics. Clean the vents by going over the buttons as well as the back of the TV with a microfiber cloth or duster.
Traditional cleaning chemicals can harm anti-glare coatings on plasma screens, which are composed of glass. Its preferable to use the same dry cleaning procedures for LCD, LED, and OLED TVs.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Beachbody On My TV
Whats The Difference Between An Led Lcd Plasma And Crt Screen
How to clean a television screen is determined by the type of monitor you have. Older models allow you to use traditional cleaning solutions that wont damage TV screens, where the brand new models require a gentler touch.
So, what are the different types of TVs, and how can you tell the difference? Many households have a mix of the new and the old, so a cleaning method for one TV may not work for all of them in your home.
CRT screens, short for cathode-ray tube, were the most common television screens back in the day. These were the classic tube-TVs which can be cleaned using traditional glass cleaners like Windex. After the technology began to improve, plasma TVs slowly made their way onto the market.
These televisions were similar to the CRTs, except for their larger, but slightly less heavy, sizes. Most plasma screens also began using anti-glare coating, which meant cleaning them with a window cleaner would not work.
The LCD TVs and LED TVs are the newest types of TVs which have gradually made the CRT and plasma models obsolete. These TVs boast a lower energy consumption, better brightness levels, and a higher resolution than their predecessors, all of which are essential qualities in the age of HDTV.
The most significant difference between the LED and LCD TVs is their light source, which hinges solely on whether the television uses LED lighting or traditional bulbs, respectively.
How To Clean Your Lcd Or Plasma TV
Don’t let a dirty screen ruin the image quality of your LCD or plasma TV. Our cleaning tips will show you how to safely clean your TV, so you can enjoy it at its best.
Ed Rhee
Ed Rhee, a freelance writer based in the San Francisco Bay Area, is an IT veteran turned stay-at-home-dad of two girls. He focuses on Android devices and applications while maintaining a review blog at techdadreview.com.
Don’t let a dirty screen ruin the image quality of your LCD or plasma TV. Our cleaning tips will show you how to safely clean your TV, so you can enjoy it at its best.
To clean your LCD or plasma TV, follow these steps:
Step 1: Turn off your TV and unplug it.
Step 2: Gently wipe the screen with a dry, lint-free cloth, like a microfiber cloth. Your TV may have come with a cleaning cloth, so check the box before going out to purchase a new one. Never use abrasive cleaners or paper-based cloths, like paper towels they can leave scratches on your screen.
Step 3: For more stubborn spots, lightly moisten a microfiber cloth with a commercial cleaning solution that’s specifically made for plasma and LCD screens. Never spray anything directly onto your TV screen or cabinet. Also, don’t use water to clean your TV unless directed to by the manufacturer.
Do not use cleaners with the following agents, as they can damage the special coatings on your screen or paint from the cabinet:
You May Like: What Is The Best TV Technology
How To Clean Your Samsung TV
Turn the TV off and let it cool down for a few minutes before unplugging it.
To clean the frame and screen, gently wipe it with a microfiber cleaning cloth. Make sure to wipe the TV frame and screen as gently as possible. TV screens are fragile and can be damaged when pressed too hard.
If you don’t see results, spray distilled water on to your microfiber cleaning cloth and gently wipe the frame and screen.
Let the TV dry completely before you plug the TV back in.
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!
You May Like: How To Turn Wifi On On Lg TV
Can’t I Just Buy A TV Or Monitor Cleaning Kit
Only if you like overpaying for things. Most cleaning kits come with a cleaning cloth and a bottle of solution that is, itself, mostly water. While some will likely due a decent job of cleaning your display, you can’t always be sure what goes into the provided solution, and could risk damaging your display by using a product from a less-than-trustworthy manufacturer.
Even if it works great, you’re still likely to pay $10-$20 for way fewer cleanings than you’ll get out of a single gallon jug of distilled water that can be had for $1-$2.