What's the best way to clean a flat screen tv?
Hi all, does anyone have any tips for cleaning a flat screen tv? Mine's overdue for a good cleaning, it's got fingerprints and dust on it, but because it's a flat screen I don't want to apply harsh chemicals. Any advice?
For cleaning an LED screen or flat screen, I just use a microfiber cloth and get it damp (not soaking) with warm water, then gently wipe down the TV screen. Then, take another, dry cloth and gently wipe the screen dry. No soap or harsh chemicals, and gets the job done without harming the flat screen.
I’d recommend using distilled water. You shouldn’t need any solvents, cleaners, or soaps to clean a TV screen. You can use tap water if you don’t have any distilled water on hand, but tap water often contains minerals and nutrients that will leave marks behind on your TV screen after the water dries.
Yeah, it’s all about the cloth you use. Paper towels will leave behind weird little cotton balls and toilet paper will break up into bits while you’re using it. Hand towels and shower towels are all likely to scratch or scuff your screen—especially if they aren’t 100% clean. The only cloth I’d use to clean our smart TV or computer screen is a microfiber cloth. They’re perfect for this!
If there are spots that won't come off with just water, try diluting dish soap in water -- like a drop of dish soap in a gallon of water -- and using a microfiber cloth dipped in that solution to gently wipe them away.
Avoid any cleaners with alcohol, ammonia, or acetone, including stuff like Windex, which can ruin the screen.
Avoid any cleaners with alcohol, ammonia, or acetone, including stuff like Windex, which can ruin the screen.
You can find cleaners that are made specifically for TVs. Just don’t spray it directly on your TV. Instead, spray your cloth and then apply the cleaner to the screen with that. If you spray your TV directly, you may end up accidentally spraying mist into the TV’s control unit and destroying it.
Is rubbing alcohol ok to use..
No don't use rubbing alcohol on your TV or electronics! It can ruin the coating on your screen and even if it doesn't harm your device, it'll likely leave streaks. Use a gentler cleaner, like distilled water.
Be careful about the pressure you apply to your TV as you're cleaning it! You don't want to accidentally bend or break your screen. So when you're cleaning it, get a step stool or ladder or something that will give you easy and comfortable access to the screen. If you're straining to reach the screen or going at it from an awkward angle, you're increasing your chances of accidentally damaging the screen.
This isn’t for the screen but a tip for cleaning the nooks and crannies of a TV is using a pressurized air canister!
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Other wikiHow readers have submitted their own tips on topics similar to this one.
Reader Tips from 3 Easy Ways to Remove Fingerprints from a TV Screen
Shine a bright light at your TV screen while you're cleaning so you can see all of the marks and fingerprints that you need to remove.
Lightly dust your TV screen once a week to help prevent smudges and other marks from forming.
Reader Tips from How to Clean a Flat Screen TV (And What to Clean It With)
Don't forget to clean your remote when you clean your TV. Turn it upside-down and tap it with your palm to get rid of dirt, and then wipe around the buttons with a mix of alcohol and water.
Skip the paper towels or tissues because they can have mild abrasives that leave scratches on your TV.
Reader Tips from How to Clean a Plasma TV Screen
Always read the owner's manual for the TV you have because they may have specific instructions for how to clean the screen.
Use a new part or corner of the cloth with each wipe so you don't spread dust and grime back onto the screen.
