How to Clean Your TV

Cleaning your TV screen is a rather simple task. As with any time you are cleaning electronics, make sure you have unplugged your device and that it has had time to cool down.

To clean the screen and frame, take a soft microfiber cloth and gently wipe all areas of the screen. This should remove most of the dust and any smudges on your screen. If there are stubborn spots like fingerprints, spray distilled water onto the cleaning cloth and gently go over them again. Wiping the screen vertically then horizontally should leave your screen shiny and bright.

When the screen has dried, plug the unit back in.

Now that you have a clean screen, let’s not forget about the back. The back of your TV can collect a good amount of dust due to it being out of sight and away from regular cleaning. Dust can gather around the rear vents on the and actually fall into the inner workings with the potential to cause damage. If your TV is in a cabinet, the dust can be quite thick. You may need to wear a dust mask when cleaning to avoid breathing in the debris.

There are a couple of easy ways to dust off your TV. Using a duster or dust cloth, simply wipe away the dust from the back of the TV and any that may have fallen around the TV stand. If the back of your TV is accessible, you can also use a handheld cordless vacuum to clear all of the debris away.

As straightforward as cleaning your TV screen is, there are several things that you should never do to make sure your TV will continue to give you a great picture. First, and probably the most important, is to never use any type of window cleaner, all-purpose cleaners, scouring powder, wax, or any cleanser with solvents such as alcohol, benzene, ammonia, or acetone. Today’s flat screen TV have a protective coating on them to reduce glare and using chemical cleaners can strip this coating away.

Never use abrasive pads or paper towels. These can also damage the anti-glare coating. Always use a soft microfiber cloth for cleaning your TV. Also, never spray water directly onto the TV. Spray your cleaning cloth with water or a cleaner that is manufacturer recommended. Make sure you wipe the TV as gently as possible.

Cleaning an outdoor TV screen is just like cleaning an indoor unit. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe the screen. You may spray distilled water onto the cloth to remove stubborn spots. For the back, cables and surrounding area, mild all-purpose cleaners or cleaning wipes will tackle the dirt and grime that can accumulate in the outside area.

An outdoor TV cover will keep your TV clean and will protect against the elements. It’s also a good idea to periodically clean the cover as well. You may be tempted to throw the cover into the washing machine, but do not do that. TV covers are treated to repel rain, wind and sunlight. Machine washing with detergents will remove this protection. A damp cloth and brushing with a soft bristle brush will keep your TV cover looking its best.

Where’s the remote? As one of the items that gets the most use in your house, keeping the remote clean is a good idea to reduce spreading germs around. To clean your remote, take the batteries out of the battery compartment and replace the cover. Gently give the remote a tap on a table to free any loose crumbs or dust stuck in the crevices. Take a disinfecting wipe and clean both sides of the remote. Give extra attention to the buttons and spaces around them. You can use a toothpick to remove any dirt or other particles. Let the remote dry completely and then replace the batteries.

iPad and cell phones differ from flat screen TVs in that their screens have a glass coating. This enables them to withstand heavy use and oil from fingerprints. Cleaning an iPad screen or cell phone screen is much like how you clean a TV screen with minor exceptions. First, remove any dust with a dry microfiber cloth. Next, use 70% isopropyl alcohol to remove fingerprints and smudges. Spray it onto a cloth or use a small alcohol wipe. You can also use special wipes or cleaners designed for these screens. Wipe the glass surface and corners and let the screen dry. If any streaks remain, use your microfiber cloth to remove them.