If your TV has been attacked by the kids over the bank holiday weekend and is now covered in mucky fingerprints beware. It seems that giving it a quick clean could end up doing way more harm than good.
One TV expert - from UK manufacturer Mitchell & Brown - says that using the wrong type of cloth or spraying the screen with an inappropriate cleaning solution could actually damage things for good.
“Avoid spraying anything directly onto the screen as the excess spray can get into the inner workings of the TV and damage it,” said Dan Brown, Operations Director at Bolton-based Mitchell & Brown TVs. “Residue can form on the screen by using improper cleaning solutions like furniture polish or household glass cleaners on the screen which can cause damage to the plastic screen over time.
Before you begin covering your expensive telly in a solution give the label a read and make sure it's appropriate. “Always avoid putting anything on your TV screen that includes alcohol, ammonia, or acetone, chemicals which are often found in window cleaner products," Brown added.
Along with not showering it in liquid, the next thing to be careful of is the type of cloth you use as some can scratch the display.
Explaining more, Brown said: “Using a different clean, dry, and lint-free cloth gently wipe the TV screen to remove grease, dirt, and dust. Microfibre cloths are soft and delicate and it’s best to avoid using anything rough on the TV like paper towels that could cause permanently visible scratches.”
Another thing to be aware of is that your TV is not like your smartphone or tablet as the screen is often made from plastic rather than glass.
“Make sure when choosing a cleaning product not to select one for tablet screens as tablets tend to have glass screens and can handle harsher chemicals as opposed to more delicate plastic TV screens," added Brown.
Other top tips for getting your telly looking box fresh again include using your vacuum cleaner on a low setting with a soft brush attachment to banish any debris from the sockets.
Remote controls can also be lightly wiped with antibacterial disinfectant wipes to rid germs. It’s best to take the batteries out prior to this and then replace them once the controls have air-dried fully.
Finally, before you even begin cleaning, it's wise to unplug the screen as it’s easier to see muck once the display is blank.
