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When was the last time you cleaned your TV? As one of the most prominent pieces of equipment in your home, your TV is probably exposed to more than you think. And we’re talking dust, cobwebs, pet hair and dirt, not to mention germs and bacteria in the air. Think of how often you’re touching your TV and the remote too. If your TV is near the kitchen, lingering odors and oils in the air could also be hitting your screen’s surface.
The best way to keep your screen clean — and your display crystal clear — is to start using a TV cleaner.
How to Clean Your TV
Figuring out what to use to clean your TV isn’t that complicated, but there are definitely one or two things you should avoid. Do turn your TV off before you get started. Don’t reach for the typical glass cleaner. Here are some other specifics.
Cloth: A soft microfiber cloth or flannel is the best material to use when cleaning a delicate flat screen. Paper towels or rags are a little rougher and could cause scratches you’d rather avoid. Plus, they’re generally thin and cheaper, leading to bits of paper breaking off and getting stuck on your screen.
Cleaning Solution: Moistening your cloth with a bit of water is generally more than enough to clean off everyday dust and debris. But if it’s not, you can always use a special screen cleaning solution, which is designed to get out gunk while being gentle on your TV surface. Harsh cleaning solutions like glass cleaner or other cleaners you would use for the rest of your house could react badly with the screen and cause permanent discoloration.
Specialty Products: There are also specially formulated products like wipes or cleaning sprays that are designed to be used on TV and computer screens without causing damage to the surface or the color. Sprays often come with a microfiber cloth included, and all of these products are made with mild, non-toxic ingredients.