How to Clean a Wide Screen TV

Remove dust and fingerprint smudges from widescreen TVs.

Widescreen televisions allow viewers to watch films in their original format without any cropping. Because widescreen TVs have a larger aspect ratio (width to height) than the old standard screens, which are closer to square, natural-looking images completely stretch across the screens. Widescreen TVs are available with plasma or LCD screens to provide high-quality pixel resolutions and sharp images. Occasionally, widescreen TVs require cleaning to remove accumulated dust, fingerprints and grease buildup. Dirty TV screens blur images and prevent viewers from thoroughly enjoying films.

Things You'll Need

• 2 microfiber cloths
• 1 cup 50-percent isopropyl alcohol
• 1 cup distilled water
• Bottle

Instructions

1. Turn off the television. Unplug the television's electrical cord from the outlet.

2. Wipe the screen with light pressure using a microfiber cloth. Remove all dust from the screen and surrounding surfaces.

3. Pour 1 cup of 50 percent isopropyl alcohol and 1 cup of distilled water in a bottle. Seal the bottle and shake it to thoroughly mix the solution.

4. Dampen a clean microfiber cloth with the alcohol solution. Do not apply the solution directly to the screen. Wipe the damp cloth gently across the screen in circular motions to remove smudges and oily prints.

5. Allow the screen to air-dry. Once the screen is completely dry, plug the cord back into the electrical outlet.

Tips & Warnings

• You can substitute a clean cotton T-shirt for the microfiber cloth.

• Never clean the widescreen TVs with tissues, paper towels or other rough textured materials; they may scratch the screen.

• Do not use ordinary tap water on the TV screen; the screen may become clouded.

References

• Top Bits: Widescreen TVs
• Top Bits: How To Clean An LCD Screen
• Clean LCD Screen Guide: How To Clean LCD Screens