How to Clean a TV Screen Without Damaging It
You were cleaning your lobby and just wanted to clean the lobby TV. You sprayed the cleaning solution directly onto the screen.
As you wipe the LCD screen, you hear a loud crack. You have just cracked your office TV screen. You stand there in shock. Has this ever happened to you? If you imagined it, you must know that you can damage your television set if you’re not careful while cleaning it.
LCD and Plasma screens are made with delicate components and can be easily scratched or damaged if not handled with care. Some cleaning products can cause damage to the screen if they are not compatible with the type of screen or if they are not applied gently. This article discusses how you can clean your TV screen without damaging it.
If you find yourself with unsightly fingerprints, dust, marks, or smudges on your TV screen, you'll need to know the proper way to clean it. To help you clean your TV screen safely and effectively without damaging it, we've put together a handy step-by-step guide to help you wipe away any marks and get back to enjoying crystal-clear images for your movie nights.
How to Clean a TV Screen
Nowadays, picture quality on TVs is fantastic. However, dust can smudge even the best images. But how do you clean your flat-screen TV without damaging it?
Dust and debris can make your TV's picture quality suffer, so if your screen is filled with fingerprints or dust, don't worry. This is where we discuss everything you need to know.
People often fear damaging their television sets when cleaning because of the delicate nature of the technology. LCD and Plasma screens are made with glass and metal components that can be easily scratched or damaged if not handled with care.
Your TV serves as digital signage that can be used to optimize employee communication. For this reason, you must keep it clean as often as possible.
How Often Should You Clean the TV screen?
You should clean your TV screen as necessary. There's no specific rule as to how often you should clean your TV. But you should clean it once you notice an accumulation of dust or fingerprints on the screen.
For LCD and LED TVs, it's recommended to clean the screen at least once a month. For Plasma TVs, cleaning the screen every two weeks is best. Dust accumulating and entering the casing can damage your TV.
Preparing to Clean
When cleaning your TV screen, it's best to refer to your manual for specific instructions. Many manuals will provide specific recommendations on what you can and can't use to clean the screen, such as water or specific cleaning solutions. It is essential to understand your TV's specs before cleaning it.
Don’t just sheepishly follow everything you find online. Some “gurus” may suggest using window cleaners or household substitutions such as vinegar, which can cause irrevocable damage and void the warranty. Stick to the instructions provided by your manual to ensure your TV is safely and properly cleaned.
What Happens if I Don’t Follow Manual Instructions?
Due to the delicate nature of modern TV screens, which are usually made of soft plastic, it is vital to take caution when cleaning them. Cleaning a TV with an incorrect solution or technique could result in permanent damage, such as fogging, discoloration, or scratching.
Therefore, using the correct product and method when cleaning your TV is essential to avoid any potential damage.
What to Use to Clean a TV Screen
The need to clean your television with the proper materials and products cannot be overemphasized. This will help you avoid anything that could damage the screen.
The best way to clean a TV screen is with a dry microfiber cloth, similar to those used on glasses and camera lenses. You should use that to remove dust and fingerprint smudges. It's safe to use TV cleaning kits, which are typically sold in electronics stores and include a microfiber cloth and liquid screen cleaner.
However, they can be pricey, and you should only use the liquid cleaner for significant spills and smudges. You might want to consult the TV's manual for any suggestions before you begin cleaning.
You must carefully handle anti-glare coatings on LED, LCD, OLED®, and plasma TVs, and some TVs have specific cleaning requirements.
What to Avoid
Avoid using glass cleaners, such as Windex®, to clean your TV. These products may feature harsh chemicals like acetone, alcohol, or ammonia that can cause irreversible damage to your flat screen.
Never clean your television with paper towels or clothing, as they are too abrasive and can wear down the coating on your TV's surface. To keep your TV screen looking its best, it's essential to avoid using wood-based cleaning wipes, such as paper towels and Kleenex tissues.
The rough fibers of these products can easily scratch your TV's delicate screen, leaving behind many permanent scratches. To prevent this from happening, use only soft, lint-free microfiber cloths, pre-moistened wipes, or electrostatic dusters designed explicitly for electronics.
When cleaning your TV screen, you have several techniques to choose from. Isopropyl alcohol-based sprays, also known as lens cleaners, are popular. However, it's essential to check the alcohol level in the spray - avoid any sprays with more than 50% alcohol, as this can dry out the screen.
When using lens cleaner, use a soft microfiber cloth that won't shed fibers, as these can be attracted to the screen's static charge. Alternatively, there are products specifically designed for electronics that are gentle and don't contain ammonia or alcohol, such as Windex Electronics Cleaner or Screen Mom.
Compressed air is an easy, inexpensive, and effective way to get the job done if your TV isn't dirty but needs dusting. No matter which method you choose, be sure to be gentle and not damage the screen.
How to Clean Your TV
In the first method, the microfiber cloth is sprayed with the cleaning solution before wiping the television screen. You should be careful with the amount of solution used if this method is chosen. Ideally, after being sprayed down, the cloth should only be barely damp.
If too much solution is accidentally applied to the microfiber cloth and the cloth is used to clean the TV screen, it could permanently damage the screen. When the TV screen is cleaned with too much cleaning agent, the cleaner frequently drips into the bezel and nearby electronics.
Alternatively, you could mist the TV's screen with a little of the cleaning agent of your choice. You should use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe away the mist as soon as you have misted the screen.
If you choose this option, be careful not to spray too much cleaner onto the television, as this could quickly drip onto the bezel and any other nearby electronics, causing permanent damage.
Flat Screen TV
1. Unplug and turn off the TV. Cleaning the TV screen while others are trying to watch it may be entertaining, but it's dangerous and should be avoided. You can also easily see any smudges or fingerprints with the screen turned off.
2. Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove any dust. For this purpose, some TVs come with a microfiber cloth. If yours didn't, you'd need to purchase one that is made for delicate tasks like cleaning cameras or eyeglass lenses.
A good illustration of this is the MagicFiber Microfiber Cleaning Clothes. To remove any recent dust, gently sweep the screen in a circular motion with a dry microfiber cloth. Don't press too hard because doing so could damage the screen.
You must avoid using any other type of cloth or towel for this task because it could scratch the screen, such as paper towels or rags. You can thoroughly clean the frame with the microfiber cloth.
3. How to remove smudges and fingerprints. After wiping the screen with a cloth, if you notice that there are still marks on it, you have a few options. You can clean the screen with water if your manual says to.
Use a damp microfiber cloth to gently rub them in a circular motion over the stains. You must be extremely careful not to wet the screen directly because doing so could cause the internal electronics to malfunction.
Although it may be tempting, avoid rubbing the marks because doing so could result in damage. If your manual allows it, you can directly apply a screen-cleaning solution to the cloth and use it in its place.
The product from the reputable brand Screen Mom includes a microfiber cloth. If your manual permits their use, pre-moistened wipes like MiracleWipe are also fantastic
4. Let the screen dry. To hasten the process, use a dry microfiber cloth, but wait until your TV is completely dry before plugging it back in. Keeping your TV screen clean is not enough, you should also learn about the best and worst things to show on your office’s TV.
Tube TV screen
The main difference between flat-screen TVs and tube TVs is their display technology. Flat-screen TVs use LCD, LED, or Plasma display technology, while tube TVs use Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) technology.
Flat-screen TVs are thinner and lighter than tube TVs, and they usually provide a better viewing experience with higher picture quality, better color accuracy, and wider viewing angles. Cleaning Tube TVs is not as delicate as cleaning Flat screen TVs. However, you still have to be careful not to damage the TV.
1. Unplug and turn off the TV. Always err on the side of caution.
2. Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove any dust. Use the same procedures as before for this.
3. How to remove smudges and fingerprints. Since the screen of a tube TV is made of traditional glass, you can get to work by moistening a microfiber cloth with water or glass cleaner. Although Tube TV screens are not as delicate as flat screens, never spray directly onto the screen.
4. Permit the screen to dry. You can also use a microfiber cloth to buff the screen dry since it is glass.
Where To Get Gleaning Materials
Where can one find cheap ammonia-free cleaners and microfiber wipes? You can find microfiber wipes and ammonia-free cleaners at big-box retailers in your area, like Walmart, Home Depot, Lowes, Menards, and Dollar Tree.
Any big box store will usually have microfiber cloths in the automotive section, and kits for eyeglasses will frequently include lens cleaner. As an alternative, Amazon offers a wide selection of microfiber cloths and suitable cleaning products that can be delivered right to your door.
How to Clean a TV Remote Control Without Damaging It
Recent studies from multiple universities have confirmed that the TV remote is the single dirtiest item in a typical home and is a hotbed for bacteria and viruses. This is because it is one of the most overlooked items regarding regular cleaning and sanitation.
TV remotes are handled multiple times a day by most household members, yet no one ever thinks to clean them. The rubber buttons are ideal traps for dirt, skin flakes, and hair, preserving them for long periods.
All you need for a deep clean on your TV remote is rubbing alcohol. You can get it as a solution or a spray cleaner. Usually, you can find this as a 50/50 mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol at your neighborhood grocery, drugstore, or hardware store. Add a fresh toothbrush, q-tips, and a microfiber cloth to this.
Spray the microfiber cloth with the isopropyl alcohol solution. Be careful not to overspray and leave the fabric dripping wet, as this could harm your remote. To prevent your TV from exploding while pressing all the buttons, you should start by removing the batteries from your remote control.
Once your batteries are dead, take a fresh toothbrush—ideally a motorized toothbrush—and begin brushing the dirt between your remote's buttons, working your way from the top to the bottom. After that, using the damp microfiber cloth, clean the remote by starting at the top and working your way down.
Use a q-tip dampened with a solution of isopropyl alcohol and water to thoroughly clean the space between the buttons if there are any smaller crevices the cloth cannot reach. Reinstall the TV remote's batteries after you're done. The cleanest area of your house is now the dirtiest, so you can rest easy.
With this guide, no matter what type of TV you use, you can clean it and the remote control without damaging anything. However, always remember these few words of caution:
- Never apply any kind of cleaning solution directly to the screen
- Avoid pressing down too hard when wiping.
- Check your owner's manual for specific instructions on properly cleaning your TV.
Now that you have learned how to keep your TV clean, you can also take a look at How to Hide TV Wires to keep your office (or home) tidy.