TVs are a common household item that can easily get dirty from dust, or fingerprints. This is why it is important to keep them clean because they are visually appealing when they don’t have any smudges. However, it is not easy to clean them because most people use the wrong process or products, and this can be counterintuitive since they are electronics, and electronics are easily susceptible to damage.
With that out of the way, here are a few things you need to know, and to kick us right off…
Products to avoid
Not every product at your disposal should be used to clean your TV, so it is a good idea to know which to avoid.
To begin with, you should never use household cleaning products, such as those you use for cleaning glass/window panes or any other all-purpose cleaners. The reason for this is these products contain chemicals such as alcohol and ammonia, which can damage your screen over time.
At the same time, the products can cause damage to the anti-reflective layer and other coatings, which can lead to dull spots on the surface of your screen.
There are cases where people have TVs with glass screens, such as on a plasma TV (this TV tech is rarely available nowadays) or one of a handful of OLED models: however, you should stay away from using these types of cleaning products. Let’s also mention that OLEDs are very expensive, especially in Kenya, so you might as well take caution when you want to clean them.
The second products/wipers you must not use are serviettes or toilet paper. These products are present in our households, and they can be an immediate solution to cleaning a dirty TV display.
Reason? Well, they have tiny fibres in them that can end up scratching your screen.
Over time, all those micro scratches will create dull spots on the surface of your screen.
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How to, and products to use
So, what should you use to clean your TV screen? The best option is to use microfibre cleaning cloths (they are easy to come by, or can be purchased from electronics shops), distilled water, and a spray bottle.
Another thing you can do is purchase screen cleaning sprays for electronic screens, but they tend to be expensive.
The combination of these products goes a long way in ensuring that your display is clean, and that you will not damage it.
However, not all dirt can be removed from a TV screen with a single wipe. Say you are eating oily food and you accidentally touch a TV screen. How do you go about removing the residue left behind that can’t be removed by water and a microfibre cloth alone?
Well, in this case, you can use a separate bottle of water with just a tiny drop of dish detergent in it to tackle the toughest substances sticking to the screen.
Also, it’s important to use only a tiny bit of detergent to avoid leaving soap streaks on the screen.
Process: Make sure you use small circular motions with a microfiber cloth. Then, you can come back around with another microfibre cloth dampened with just water, and use a dry spot on your cloth or a separate one to remove all water. This will surely remove the dirt.
Precautions
It’s important to remember to turn off your TV and unplug it before cleaning. This will ensure that you don’t accidentally damage your TV while cleaning it.
Additionally, you should dust the bezels and the back of the TV if you can get to it. This will help to keep your TV in great condition and ensure that you get the most out of it because these devices are expensive, and should last as long as possible before they can be replaced.
Overall…
In conclusion, it’s important to use the right cleaning products and techniques when cleaning your TV screen.
As said, avoid using household cleaning products, wood-based products, and tap water as they can damage your screen over time.
Instead, use microfibre cleaning cloths, distilled water, and a spray bottle to clean your TV screen.
Also, switch off your TV and unplug it before cleaning, and dust the bezels and the back of the TV if you can get to it.
