April 5, 2024
When it comes to cleaning your TV screen, you need to consider everything from the type of TV set to the equipment and choice of cleaner. Find our guide here.
We all know the joy of coming home to relax with our favourite Netflix series or the latest blockbuster movie. But over time, TVs inevitably accumulate dust, smudges, and fingerprints due to regular use and exposure to environmental factors like the natural oils from our hands.
At Espresso Car Wash, we understand the importance of maintaining a clean and clear TV screen to enhance your viewing experience. As New Zealand’s leading professional hand wash and car grooming service provider, our cleaning expertise extends far beyond just vehicles.
In this guide, we’re sharing our top tips for cleaning your TV screen, as well as your speakers and TV remote.
TVs tend to attract a lot of dust due to the electromagnetic waves they emit. They are also prone to fingerprint marks and smudges from people, often inadvertently touching the screen. To keep your TV looking at its best, it’s important you know how to clean it properly.
When it comes to cleaning a TV, there are some dos and don’ts you should always follow.
With a variety of TV models available on the market, the cleaning method you choose will vary based on the type of TV you own.
On older tube type TVs, the screen is made of glass which gives you more flexibility when cleaning. These are the only types of TVs where it is ok to use household window cleaner. You should spray the glass cleaner onto a cloth and wipe over the TV. Never spray liquid directly onto the TV itself, as this could cause internal damage if any liquid penetrates the seals.
LCD or plasma screen TVs are more delicate than tube TVs. The chemicals found in household cleaners can be abrasive and cause lasting damage that ruins your viewing experience. A gentle wipe with a soft microfiber cloth or a small amount of distilled water on a cloth is the best way to clean LCD screens.
It’s also important to only use light pressure when wiping or cleaning LCD screens to avoid damaging the liquid crystals inside the TV.
Plasma TV screens, although made of glass, have an anti-glare coating to improve the picture quality, so should be treated like LCD TV screens when cleaning them. But plasma screens often emit more heat than LCD screens, so it’s a good idea to turn a plasma screen off and leave it to cool down for 15 – 20 minutes before cleaning it.
If you don’t have any electronic wipes, you can use distilled water to clean hard to budge smudges or fingerprints. Spray or dab a small amount of distilled water onto a clean microfiber cloth and wipe over the smudge. Never spray water directly onto the TV screen, as moisture can enter the seal of the TV and cause lasting damage.
Some manufacturers, like Panasonic, recommend cleaning TV screens with one-part neutral detergent to 100 parts of water. This solution should be applied to your cloth and used gently to wipe away smears. You should only follow this advice if your manufacturer instructions say to do so.
5. Don’t forget to wipe the back of the TV and vents, which can be dust collectors.
6. Wash your microfiber cloth in a soapy solution to remove any particles which could be abrasive, and make sure it’s fully dry before using it again to clean your TV.
When it comes to giving your TV a good clean, you don’t want to forget about your speakers, otherwise you might end up with muffled sound that ruins your movie night. If your speakers have removable covers, you can simply remove them and vacuum both sides using the upholstery tool to remove any dust, lint and pet hair that has collected.
If you can’t remove your speaker covers, vacuum the front of the speakers using the upholstery tool, and then go over them with a lint roller to collect as much dust, lint and pet hair as possible.
Another TV accessory you shouldn’t forget about is your TV remote. TV remote controls get handled frequently so can often harbour lots of germs and bacteria. To keep your TV remote clean and hygienic, it’s a good idea to give it a quick clean regularly.
To keep your TV in like new condition, you should clean it and any accessories like your TV remote and speakers, ideally once a week. This will ensure you can watch all your favourite shows without compromise.
You should always follow your specific manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you don’t damage your TV.
No matter what type of TV you own, never spray liquid directly onto it, as this could penetrate the seal and cause expensive internal damage. You should also avoid using harsh chemicals like ammonia, acetone or alcohol to clean your TV. They aren’t necessary to get a streak and dust-free finish and could potentially damage your screen and compromise the picture-quality.
Now that you know our tips and tricks for keeping your TV clean, dust and smudge-free, why not sit back and start enjoying your favourite shows and let us take care of cleaning your car?
As New Zealand’s leading professional hand wash and grooming provider at Espresso Car Wash, our approach to cleaning your car is personalised for each vehicle, addressing its unique needs so you can be sure of the best finish.
Book online or visit your nearest Espresso Car Wash branch today to revitalise your treasured vehicle
