TV Screen Cleaning; Wipe on, wipe off…?
This week a really easy, but really popular question we get all the time;
Q. How should I clean my TV?A.Carefully?
As this is such a common issue we’ve put together a how to guide on how to keep your set looking its best.
Incorrect TV cleaning can easily lead to a range of issues, from vertical lines to permanent discoloured patches and in some cases even failure of the screen itself.
The best way to avoid these issues is with regular, simple, routine cleaning.
A good quality microfiber cloth, used once a week or so, is more than enough to remove any debris your TV might have attracted and provide your screen with a light buffing for a clear picture. With regular cleaning it’s that simple.
See you next week then…
Well maybe not…
Right, but let’s assume your TV is in need of some real cleaning. Your set may well have some oily marks from fingers, smears from past product use or even just caked on dust and grime if it’s been stored for a long time. (God forbid the kid’s have been near it!)
Official advice
Major manufacturers are all pretty quiet on advice- likely not wanting to be liable if any damage occurs! But what pearls of wisdom do they provide?
LG sagely tell us to first unplug the power cord as “We don't want anyone getting shocked” -reasonable but strangely defensive wording.
Samsung follow up safely with “Do not spray water directly on to the appliance”-so far so helpful.
At last Sony provide an actual tip with “if a lint free cloth(microfiber) does not effectively remove all debris use a diluted ’non-soap based’ cleaner”.
So what’s our advice?
Firstly, wipe over the TV (starting with the screen) with a clean microfiber cloth to remove excess dust. Check for any debris on your cloth beforehand, as wiping these across your soft screen my result in surface scratches.
For heavier marks on the screen your microfiber can be dampened, or a very light solution of cleaner applied to a separate cloth and used prior. Once the mark has gone go over the section with your damp microfiber cloth. This should ensure any residue from the cleaner will not affect the screen panel over time.
Feeling buff? Good.
Next, follow up your cleaning with buffing from a dry microfiber cloth across any remaining smears on the screen. This may take some doing but small circles works best.
The Result
You should be left with clear, clean screen without any marks visible when viewed. Test this by moving in front of your TV when off and on to check from various angles. If you find any…back to buffing.
And that’s it!
Short of general advice for keeping your remote controls clean and other equipment dust free that’s literally it. The best course of action is always to clean regularly and make sure you stay on top to get the most out of your picture.
We’ve linked some common cleaning materials we recommend but in most cases the most important is a clean microfiber cloth and patience to be thorough. Good luck!