TV Basics: How to Safely Clean and Maintain Your Flat Screen TV

Fingerprints, smudges and dust on your flat screen TV can drive anyone insane, and you might not rest until these marks are gone. But cleaning a flat screen TV is a little different from cleaning an older tube television. Older TVs had glass screens, which were easy to clean and durable. Flat screens are more sensitive, so extra care is needed to avoid damage.

How do you safely clean your flat screen TV? Here are a few tips to eliminate smudges and dust accumulation and keep your TV in tip-top shape.

First, make sure your TV is turned off. This might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s worth mentioning because it’s not only about safety, but turning off the TV will make it easier to spot dirt and smudges. The likelihood of anything bad happening from cleaning a TV while it’s on is highly unlikely, but turning off any electronic device before cleaning does help reduce the risk of shocking yourself or damaging the electrical current. Better safe than sorry!

When removing dust and stains from a flat screen TV, use the right type of cloth to avoid damaging the screen. It’s important to use a soft cloth, preferably a microfiber. These cloths contain fibers that won’t damage the flat screen, and microfiber is able to pick up a lot more dust than other materials.

Don’t use a paper towel – these are rougher than cloth and could scratch the screen.

Next, begin wiping gently. These screens are fragile and don’t need too much pressure to clean. In fact, pressing too hard on the television screen could cause the pixels to burn out, which could distort the image and completely ruin your TV and movie experience. With a messed up screen, you could find yourself shopping for a new flat screen TV sooner than you want.

Using a dry cloth should be enough on most occasions, but somethings you may need heftier cleaning power. In the event of stubborn stains, lightly dampen the cloth with distilled water, or spray electronic screen cleaner onto the cloth.

Avoid using harsh chemicals, such as alcohol or ammonia. While these products are excellent cleaning agents, they can also remove the antiglare finish on a flat screen TV.

If you use a liquid, like water or a cleaning solution, never apply the liquid directly onto the screen. Liquid could you drip into the frame of the television and damage it. Always put liquid on a cloth first and then wipe the TV.

Once you finish wiping down the TV, step back a few feet to see if you notice any streaks. If so, use your microfiber to gently buff out streaks.

You probably spent a lot of money to buy the perfect TV for your living room or den. Understandably, you want to keep your TV in the best possible condition. Knowing how to properly clean a flat screen is one way to protect it from damage. Spraying water directly onto the screen or pressing too hard could shorten your television’s life. So be gentle, move slowly and use the right cleaning materials.

Going forward, take steps to prevent fingerprints and smudges on the TV. It might help to raise the height of your television, more so if you have little ones. The higher the TV, the less fingerprints and smudges. Just make sure you position the television on a sturdy stand or mount the television for safety.