How To Clean Your Vizio Flat Screen Tv

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Plasma and LCD flat screen TVs require more care than glass TV screens. This wikiHow provides three methods for cleaning a flat screen TV: with a microfiber cloth, with a vinegar solution, and using scratch removal techniques.

1

Turn the TV off. You don't want to interfere with any pixels while they're still firing, and turning off the TV will enable you to see dirt, dust, and grime better since you're working with a dark surface.
2

Find a microfiber cloth. These soft, dry cloths are the same type of cloth you would use to clean eyeglasses.^[1] They're perfect for LCD screens because they don't leave lint.^[2]
3
Wipe the screen. Use the microfiber cloth to gently wipe off any dirt or grime that's visible.^[3]
- Don't press hard on the screen if the dirt or grime does not immediately come off. Simply move on to the next method below.^[4]
- Do not use paper towels, toilet paper, or old shirts as your cleaning cloth. These materials are more abrasive than microfiber cloth and may scratch the screen and leave lint residue.^[5]
4

Examine the screen. If it now looks clean, there may not be a need to wash it. If you see splatters of dried liquid, built up dust or other gunk, move on to the method below to give your flat screen some extra shine.
5

Clean the frame of the screen. The hard plastic frame is less sensitive than the screen itself. Use the microfiber cloth or a duster to wipe it off.^[6]

1

Turn off the TV. Again, you don't want to interfere with any pixels, and you want to be able to see any imperfections.
2

Make a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. Vinegar is a natural detergent, making it a safer, and much less pricey option, than other cleaners.^[7]
3
Dab a microfiber cloth in the vinegar solution and gently wipe the screen. If necessary, apply gentle pressure and rub spots that need extra cleaning in a circular motion.
- Do not dump or spray vinegar solution directly onto the TV screen. It could end up damaging the screen permanently.
- If you would prefer to buy an LCD screen cleaning solution, they are available for purchase at computer stores.
- Do not use cleaning solutions that contain ammonia, ethyl alcohol, acetone or ethyl chloride. These chemicals can damage the screen by cleaning a little too much.^[8]
4

Use a second microfiber cloth to wipe the screen dry. Allowing liquid to dry on the screen could leave marks.
5

Wash the frame of the screen. If the hard plastic frame needs more than a dusting, dip a paper towel in the vinegar solution and scrub it clean. Use a second towel to wipe it dry.

1

Check your warranty. If you have a large scratch that is covered by your warranty, your best option may be to exchange the TV for a new one. Proceeding to try to repair the scratch yourself may cause further damage that is not covered under your warranty.
2

Use a scratch repair kit. This is the safest method for removing a scratch from your screen. Repair kits are available for purchase where TVs are sold.
3

Use petroleum jelly. Coat a cotton ball in petroleum jelly and dab it over the scratch.^[9]
4

Use lacquer. Buy clear lacquer and spray a small amount directly over the scratch. Allow it to dry.^[10]

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Question

How do I clean off dust from my TV?

Marcus is the owner of Maid Easy, a local residential cleaning company in Phoenix, Arizona. His cleaning roots date back to his grandmother who cleaned homes for valley residents in the 60's through the 70's. After working in tech for over a decade, he came back to the cleaning industry and opened Maid Easy to pass his family's tried and true methods to home dwellers across the Phoenix Metro Area.

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Question

How can I clean smudges off of a flat screen TV?

Marcus is the owner of Maid Easy, a local residential cleaning company in Phoenix, Arizona. His cleaning roots date back to his grandmother who cleaned homes for valley residents in the 60's through the 70's. After working in tech for over a decade, he came back to the cleaning industry and opened Maid Easy to pass his family's tried and true methods to home dwellers across the Phoenix Metro Area.

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer
Question

How much vinegar do I need to clean my flat screen TV?

Mix vinegar 50/50 with distilled water. Tap water may have suspended minerals (hard water) that could create microscopic scratches.
Question

Does it matter what kind of vinegar?

White vinegar is the best choice. There is a white vinegar made for cleaning. I buy it in gallon jugs.
Question

Can I use eyeglasses cleaner to clean a flat screen?

Probably, because eyeglasses cleaner is nothing more than water, isopropyl alcohol and maybe fragrance or color. Check the ingredients; some eyeglasses cleaners contain ammonia.
Question

How do I clean a nicotine film from a flat screen tv?

Use equal parts distilled water and white vinegar on a clean microfiber cloth. Use a separate clean microfiber cloth to dry, rubbing it in a circular motion.
Question

How do I wash the cloth used to clean a TV?

You can wash it either by hand or in the washing machine. Avoid using fabric softeners, as they tend to contain oils, which can cause smears on screens.
Question

How do I clean it after I used regular spray cleaner? There are streaks.

Use a microfiber soft cloth, never use a spray directly on the screen or a cloth. Mix white vinegar and distilled water (50/50 equal parts) and put it on the cloth, then clean the screen with the cloth. Use another microfiber cloth to wipe it dry.
Question

I read that if you use a dryer sheet after cleaning your TV screen that it would help repel dust so you had to clean it less often, but wouldn't a dryer sheet be too abrasive?

I would think they would be far too abrasive if a simple paper towel or old t shirt is too much.
Question

How do I remove dried up jelly from my LED LCD TV screen? It's been there for 6 days.

For heavy soiling, add a tiny drop of dish soap to the vinegar and water solution. This method works great for windows too. If this leaves a streaky finish, then too much soap was added. Clean again with a solution made of only vinegar and water in equal parts and your screen should sparkle once more.

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Look for special cleaning instructions in the manual that came with your screen.
You could also use special screen wipes that are available at most computer stores.

If the cloth is not dry enough, it may drip, perhaps causing a short circuit.
If your screen is a rear-projection type, pressing too hard may damage the screen, as it is very thin.

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Article SummaryX

1. Turn the TV off.
2. Get a microfiber cloth.
3. Gently wipe the screen. Don't press hard.
4. Wipe the frame with the cloth or a duster.
5. Use a vinegar and water solution for dirty screens.

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