Flat-screen TVs are great when it comes to picture quality. But they're kind of a pain when it's time to clean them. You have to be extra careful to not damage the screen and you can only use certain types of products. Sometimes it doesn't even seem worth it to have a flat screen!
Before you trade in your flat-screen TV for an older model, try some of these cleaning tips. Just make sure that you always start by wiping away the dust with a soft, dry microfiber cloth. Sometimes that's all it takes, but for those times when you need to do a little deeper cleaning, we've got some tips to help you out.
1. Vinegar Gently wipe the screen with a dry microfiber cloth to remove any dust particles. Mix a solution of equal parts distilled water and white vinegar. Dip your cloth in this mixture and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Wipe across the screen carefully with the damp rag and then wipe over it again with a dry rag to remove any excess moisture.
2. Window cleaner If you have a glass-tube television, then window cleaner (preferably Windex) can be used to clean the screen. Spray the window cleaner on a soft cloth and wipe the screen. Never spray anything directly onto the television screen! After you've used the damp side of the cloth, flip it over to the dry side and buff the screen dry.
3. Dish soap For television screens that are coated with a special treatment, you have to be careful of the cleaning products you use. To find out if your screen has been specially treated, check you owner's manual. With this type of television, dilute a mild liquid dish soap with 100 times the amount of water. Soak a microfiber cloth in this mixture and then wring out any excess liquid so it doesn't drip. Wipe this cloth across the screen and then follow with a dry cloth to remove any remaining water.
4. Rubbing alcohol Start by gently wiping across your television and the screen with a soft, dry cloth. If there are smudges, then make a solution that's half water and half rubbing alcohol. Dip the corner of a cotton cloth in the solution, squeeze out the excess liquid and carefully wipe down your tv screen, focusing on the smudges. Finish up by wiping everything again with a new soft, dry cloth.
5. ScreenDr If you can't seem to get rid of the smudges on your television screen and the dust just keeps collecting, then you might need to buy a product specifically designed for cleaning flat-screen television screens. ScreenDr is designed to remove smudges and prevent static on your screen, which will help keep it dust-free longer. So if nothing else works, then you can always consider this type of product.
6. Petroleum jelly When you're cleaning something as fragile as a flat-screen television, you're bound to notice (or even cause) a small scratch every once in awhile. If you end up with a scratch on your television screen, then you can repair it with petroleum jelly. Coat a cotton ball with petroleum jelly and very gently dab it onto the scratch.
