If you want high definition and a shiny screen whilst watching a movie, then it’s time for a clean screen. Imagine you see a smeared fingerprint or smudge that distorts the face of your favorite athlete or actor – when such blemishes are easy to get rid of.
However, while cleaning is easy, disregarding your manufacturer's cleaning manual is a guaranteed way of voiding your warranty. Thus, it becomes imperative that you use the correct cloth and liquid if you need one.
If you have noticed some fingerprints on your screen, or an annoying layer of dust on the screen, it is time to clean. Are you wondering how to start the process? Read on as this article discusses every detail you should not miss when cleaning your TV screen.
What type of tv screen do you have?
It is crucial to first, note the type of screen that your TV has, before you start a cleaning process on it. To know yours, you can check the manual for your TV or quickly search for your model in Google. The following are some of the main types of TV screens you most likely have in your home today.
- OLED TV screens.
- Plasma TV screens.
- LCD (LED) TV screens
- Tube TVs are rare to find nowadays, but cleaning them is as easy as cleaning any glassware.
If you have an LCD or OLED tv, you need to take extra caution when cleaning because the screens are made with a type of flexible plastic that is easy to damage.
On the other hand, if you have an older tv model, it probably contains a plasma screen. Though made with glass, the screen is covered with a special layer of anti-glare coating that makes it quite sensitive.
Now, cleaning your tv is easy. There are only three essential tips you need to remember as cleaning advice for your flat screen tv;
- Use a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth to wipe the screen.
- Never use a wet cloth when cleaning the screen.
- Never spray water directly to your television screen.
How to Clean a TV Screen with a Dry Microfiber Cloth
When cleaning your set with a dry microfiber cloth, it is best first to shut the television off or even completely unplug it. Experts say this is vital because the dirt or prints on the screen are more visible when it is black.
The reason it is vital to use a soft cloth is that your tv screen is very delicate. Because of this, it can easily get scars or scratches from an ordinary cleaning cloth or even paper towels. Even though they seem soft, the paper towels contain small fibers that can damage a flat-screen tv. A microfiber cloth is similar to the one you use to clean camera lenses or eyeglasses.
When you are ready to clean;
- Turn the tv off.
- Gently wipe the tv screen in circular motions to get all dust off. If you find persistent fingerprints, ensure you do not press the screen too hard as this too can damage it.
- You can also use the same dry soft cloth to wipe the TV's cabinet and speaker covers to remove any dirt or dust that might be clogging the vents.
When To Use a Damp Cloth to Clean a TV Screen
In cases where you use a soft and dry cloth to wipe your tv screen then there will be some difficult stains or fingerprints which are very hard to eliminate unless you put pressure on the screen thus causing the screen to be damaged. These you may wipe off using a damp cloth In this case, you may use a damp cloth to remove these.
It is important to avoid using detergent like Windex or washing soap for cleaning the surface. A dish washing liquid has ammonia and a window cleaner like Windex has alcohol and other harsh ingredients that are destructive to a flat screen tv.
When in a process of searching for liquid which you will use for dampening microfiber cloth you may decide to purchase a TV screen cleaner even though in real sense you don’t need one. As of the TVs, there are screen cleaners available in the market that costs as low as $ 10. However, if you want a screen cleaner that has those three prohibitions including alcohol, ammonia, or acetone then perhaps it is better to opt for or even make any of the following cleaning solutions;
- Distilled water. For dust and more stains, you can damp your soft dry cloth with little water so as to clean your tv screen in circular motion. You should not pour the distilled water on the screen or any other part of the TV.
- Make a mild cleaning solution with dish soap and distilled water. To avoid damaging your TV screen, dilute the soap with water using a ratio of 100:1( water to soap). Once more, do not spray on your LCD screens but on your microfiber cleaning cloth, if you are using that.
- You can also buy a cleaning solution from the store closest to you. They are, overall, relatively cheap and would be perfect for you if you don’t own a microfiber cloth for your TV. However, ensure that one scans through the solution in an effort to check if it has got any chemical that is destructive to the tv set.
How to Clean the Remote Control
If you are really after a having clean and wonderful home tv experience, you can never forget to clean and disinfect your remote after you clean the screen. Out of all these items, the one you use most frequently is the remote control for your television and it’s also the filthiest. This is how you clean the remote without harming it;
- Remove batteries.
- To clean the space between keys, turn it over, and strike the palm of your hand with it.
- Moisten your soft cloth with a cleaner and wash the entire surface of the remote with the cloth. Do not spray liquid on the keys of your remote, instead only apply a damp cloth and not wet.
- Wipe in and around the buttons with a dampened cotton swab.
- Finally, use a soft and dry cloth to clean remote control, later use batteries to make it active again.
Conclusion
You should clean your television set after some time so that you do not end up finding a way to fix it from dust damage or other marks that make it undesirable for watching.
However, before you start cleaning, do not forget to read the manual and adhere to the television manufacturer cleaning guidelines if the television is still under warranty.
