THESE TIPS AND TRICKS WILL GET YOUR TV SCREEN GLEAMING LIKE NEW AGAIN!

Take a look at your television screen - does it shine like it used to? Or is it a graveyard of dust and children’s fingerprints?

If it is, you’re not alone! Big-screen LCD/LED TVs especially like to attract debris, yet these screens are far more easily damaged than older plasma televisions or even the old-school CRT TVs. If you use the wrong chemicals and cloths, you can scratch the screen or even strip it of its anti-glare coating.

But never fear! We’ve created this simple guide that’ll walk you step-by-step how to safely clean your television screen without damaging it - no matter the type of screen you’ve got.

STEP 1: TURN OFF THE TV

Seems like an obvious first step, right? But maybe not - if you’re just looking to give your screen a quick wipe-down, it won’t make a difference whether you do it while a show is still playing….

Actually, it does! Turning off your TV, perhaps even unplugging it, makes it easier to see the dust and dirt on the dark, reflective surface. It's also safer for your TV and ensures you’re not interfering with the firing pixels while it’s on. If your television set is hot, you’ll also want to let it cool down for a few minutes before starting on it.

Pro Tip: Use gloves or make sure your hands are clean before you begin! The oils from your fingers can leave smudges while you’re supporting your TV with one hand and wiping it down with the other.

STEP 2: USE A DRY, SOFT CLOTH

Getting your TV screen clean is actually pretty straightforward - just start with a soft cloth. We recommend a microfiber cloth, the type you would use to clean eyeglasses. But any soft, dry, clean, lint-free, and anti-static cloth will work. You can even use a soft feather duster if your TV set is merely a bit dusty.

Use your microfiber cloth to gently wipe down any dust and dirt. Don’t press too hard! The pressure of your fingerprints can damage what’s behind the screen. LCD screens in particular are sensitive to pressure and scratches. Instead, using a circular motion, carefully wipe off all debris from your screen.

Pro Tip: Never use a paper tower, napkin, or tissue! They have fibers that can scratch the screen and tear easily, leaving tiny pieces behind.

STEP 3: USE A *LITTLE* LIQUID IF NEEDED

Note the emphasis on little! If you have stubborn grime that doesn’t come off with a wipe from the dry microfiber cloth, you can dampen the cloth slightly using distilled water. If you have some really stubborn stains, you can use a highly-diluted dish soap or alcohol-free cleaning solution. And we mean highly-diluted - think a 100:1 ratio of water to soap/cleaning solution here.

Be sure to apply any liquid directly to the cloth itself, never the television. Spraying anything directly onto the TV can not only damage the screen, it could cause a shock or electrical failure. And only use just enough liquid to dampen the cloth; you don’t want it wringing wet!

Once you’ve wiped down the screen with the damp microfiber cloth, once again using gentle, circular motions, go over the screen again with a dry cloth to remove any moisture left behind.

Pro Tip: Avoid using harmful chemicals! Windex and any household cleaners that have alcohol or ammonia can interfere with the integrity of the screen and cause some major damage.

STEP 4: CHECK YOUR WORK

This is perhaps another obvious step, but we do recommend it! Nothing is worse than wiping down your screen, putting your microfiber cloth away, sitting down…and spotting a smudge.

So once you’re done, step back and check the screen. Are there any streaks left behind? Is there a smudge from your fingerprints in one corner? If you move to stand to one side, does any dust from that angle catch your eye?

If so, just repeat the process until your TV is gleaming like new!

BONUS: CLEAN THE CHASSIS

Getting the screen nice and sparkly for Sunday Night Football or a horror movie night marathon is all well and good, but it’s important to take care of the rest of your television set as well!

The vents in particular you want to regularly wipe down to make sure dust isn’t clogging them, which can cause your television set to overheat. Clean the panels of your TV using the same method as the screen - gently with a dry microfiber cloth, then with one dampened with water or a very mild cleaning solution if needed.

IN SUMMARY

Televisions are an expensive investment, and one we understand you want to take care of! So we hope that you’re feeling more comfortable now about cleaning your screen and avoiding damaging your TV. Use this guide and follow its tips and tricks anytime you want your screen sparkling like new again.

Thanks for reading! Have a great day.