Cleaning Flat Screen TVs:
How to Clear the Picture 

Cleaning flat screen TVs. Whether you have a weekly family movie night or enjoy binge-watching your favorite shows, chances are your television sees a lot of action, so give it its cleaning due. 

Cleaning your flat-screen TVs doesn't require expensive specialty cleaners. However, using the wrong methods or products can void any still-valid warranty.

Rest assured, keeping your television screen and its assorted components and accessories clean and dust-free is straightforward. With just a few tools and products, you can keep your television screen and its assorted components and accessories clean and dust-free. 

Television screens should be checked weekly for clear picture quality and optimal performance. Here's how to clean your TV and its essential components in five easy steps.

Cleaning Flat Screen TVs In 5 Steps

Your first thought is probably that layer of dust on the screen. 

When it comes to your entertainment center - whether it's a part of the living room or a whole basement dedicated to TV, gadgets, and gaming - it's essential to go beyond the screen to keep everything clean if you want your expensive equipment to last longer.

There are some TV components that, when layered in dust, can affect how well your device works (or doesn't) - like the vents that prevent overheating. 

1.  Dust the Surface

Before you begin, turn off or unplug your TV. A dark screen makes it easier to spot surface dust.

Use a static-cling duster or microfiber cloth to dust front to back and along the buttons. Don't forget the top, side, and corners. (Some new televisions come with a cleaning cloth.)

If your TV is an LCD, press gently when wiping, as the liquid crystal may get pushed down if you're too vigorous in your cleaning efforts. This can create dark spots. If this should happen, turn it off and on again to fix it. 

2.  Check Vents

Make sure the vents are dust-free, so heat can escape easily. On most LCD flat-screen TVs, the vents are at the back, but on older TVs, they may be on the sides and the back. 

To get the dust out of the vent, let the vacuum do the dirty work. A duster works for more frequent cleaning, but vacuum at least monthly to ensure you get the dust inside the TV.

3.  Cleaning Flat Screen TVs Ports 

Ports are where you connect devices like HDMI cables, TV streaming sticks, gaming systems, speakers, and more.

If these ports fill with dust, your TV may have difficulty connecting to external devices. 

You'll usually find ports on the back, sides, or sometimes beneath or above the TV screen. Instead of reaching for the vacuum here, grab a can of compressed air. 

When using compressed air, do not shake the container and never insert the nozzle into your TV ports, as it can damage the sensitive pins in your TV.

Hold the nozzle about an inch from the port and spray at an angle so the air doesn't push dust or debris farther into the port.

4.  Clean Surface Spots

To remove fingerprints, lightly dampen a clean microfiber cloth with distilled water and gently wipe the grungy surface in circles. Remember to clean hard-to-reach areas, such as the spaces around the TV buttons.

For stubborn fingerprints or other hard-to-remove grime, lightly spray a microfiber cloth with electronic cleaning spray, then wipe clean. Soak up any remaining moisture with a cloth.

5.  Let Dry

Allow all TV parts to thoroughly air-dry before switching them back on. For best cleaning results:

• Do not use an abrasive cloth or window cleaner on electronic screens. It could damage the oleophobic coating or scratch the surface.

• Use a light touch to clean flat-screen TVs. Vigorous scrubbing can cause the screen to crack.

• Apply a screen cleaner to the microfiber cloth, not the television. Use the dampened cloth to wipe the screen gently, then use a clean area to buff the surface dry. Never spray any cleaner directly onto any flat-screen television, including plain water. Excessive moisture can permanently damage your screen.