Don’t be hasty when considering how to screen your flat screen TV! Good intentions can quickly become regret- cleaning your TV screen with the wrong cleaning product(s) can leave it permanently damaged.
In that spirit, we’ll start with what NOT to do so that you don’t jump right in and damage your screen.
What NOT to do:
- Don’t spray anything directly on the screen!
- Don’t use Windex, Glass Cleaners, ethyl alcohol, acetone, toluene, ethyl acid, ammonia, methyl chloride, or any type of alcohol- these can damage the screen and strip the anti-glare coating and other films from the TV screen
- Don’t use paper towels (leaves debris behind)
- Don’t use a dirty cloth (more likely to scratch screen)
- Don’t press hard! You’re cleaning, not scrubbing. Big screens are sensitive and pressing too hard can damage the screen.
Now that you’ve been properly reprimanded it’s time to do what we came here to do: clean the big screen!
To clean your Flat Screen TV follow these steps:
- Turn the TV off (easier to see dust and allows TV to cool down)
- Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away any dust
- Soak microfiber cloth in distilled water and wring it out (it should be damp but not wet)
- Gently wipe the damp cloth across the entire display, using one hand to secure the TV and one hand to wipe
- Use a second cloth to immediately dry the display
You’re probably surprised that we’re “cleaning” with just water but that’s exactly what TV manufacturers like Samsung recommend. Water will usually get the job done and prevent your expensive flat screen TV from unnecessary damage.
When Water isn’t Working
If water isn’t doing the trick (what were you doing last night?!?) it may be necessary to use something a little stronger. You’ve got two options:
- Buy “Electronics Wipes“- expensive but simple
- Make your own Screen Cleaning Solution- cheap but worthwhile
If you’re buying electronics wipes make sure that they don’t use harmful chemicals like ammonia or alcohol. You should also check the size as many are tiny wipes made for smartphones- it’ll take an entire box to clean a big screen TV! Make sure you buy extra large microfiber cloths, too.
We recommend skipping the wipes and making the solution yourself.
How to make a Screen Cleaning Solution:
- Squeeze 1 drop of dish soap into a cup
- Fill cup with water
- Mix until dissolved
That’s it! Just a little bit of very lightly soaped water should clean off everything from fingerprints and smudges to unknown blemishes that shalt not be discussed. The expert consensus suggests using 1 part soap for every 100 parts water- so go light on the soap.
How to clean a TV Remote
You could argue that cleaning your TV remote is more important than cleaning your TV screen. After all, your grimy hands have been on it day after day and God only knows what you were doing last night.
Follow these steps to properly clean your TV remote:
- Remove the battery cover and batteries
- Apply cleaning solution (above) or 70% Isopropyl alcohol with your method of choice: Microfiber Cloth, Cotton Balls, Q-tips, Toothbrush
- Use toothpicks for cracks and crevices
You may also want to open your remote control (may require screwdriver) and clean the stand-alone rubber protective piece as well.
Other helpful tips:
- Use Q-Tips for the corners
- Use the soft brush on your vacuum to suck up dust from TV vents
- Clean once per month to prevent buildup