It goes without saying that you should clean your Plasma TV regularly and with the proper liquid and cloth for best viewing results. Regular care of your home theater system will ensure enviable performance and sound quality for years. Overtime, dirt and dust are likely to mar the TV screen and when there are small children around, you can add fingerprints to the list. Usually there will be instructions in the TV manual itself on how to clean the screen. There will always be a recommended cleaning set along with it. Just read the guide to know what solutions you can use and what solutions are not safe for your screen.
You should always remember that a Plasma TV is different from an LCD TV and therefore it should be cleaned differently, especially when you have a large screen Plasma. Your Plasma TV comes with a special anti glare coating and if you use solutions that damage the screen, then it will lose its properties. Do not use glass cleaners, which contain high alcohol content like Windex and Formula 409, as they are prone to damage the screen. It is sensible to buy cleaning solutions that are meant for cleaning plasma TVs. Try to avoid ammonia based cleaning liquids if possible.
Do not use paper tissue or towels to wipe the screen, because scratches will appear. It is also advisable not to use wood products for cleaning. Remember not to use feather dusters and clothes that tend to leave particles behind for the cleaning process. The cleaning process itself is very simple. Just get the plasma cleaning kit, two micro fiber cloths, and your vacuum cleaner and follow the steps below.
Before starting the cleaning process switch off the TV and remove the power cord from the outlet.
Start dusting from the top, because that is the most logical way to start and sweep it horizontally until you reach the end of the screen.
Use a blow dryer or a vacuum cleaner at low pressure to blow off all the dust that may still be clinging on the TV. Just be careful not to place the blow dryer too close to the TV, or hold it in one spot too long, which could cause the plastic on the TV to melt.
Put some cleaning solution on the micro fiber cloth making sure you get the cloth damp enough, do not add too much solution. Any dirt, dust and smears will disappear. Applying excessive pressure and wiping in a circular motion will damage the screen. So avoid both. Use another cloth to remove all the excess moisture.
Some tips while cleaning:
Remember never to spray the solution directly onto the TV monitor. You should first apply it to the cloth and then start the cleaning job.
Take precautions to see if the TV is hot because you should never clean it if the TV is on or still hot. This will damage the picture tube.
Always remember to use a micro fiber cloth, as it is safe enough for your plasma screen.
Read the instruction manual to check for any specific cleaning guidelines.
If you do not want to buy a solution, make one at home with distilled water Isopropyl a colorless and combustible liquid alcohol. It should be a mild solution so make it 1:1. You can use this safely if you remember all the safety measures.
Some brands of Plasma TVs are unfortunately prone to burn-ins. These can be either temporary or permanent. Just make sure that your screen does not display static images for too long because this could cause permanent burns, which will eventually damage your system. This usually happens during the first 200 hours of viewing because it is likely that the phosphorus will burn more intensely when the TV is relatively new. When you buy your plasma TV, make sure that you get the latest model that prevents burn-ins.
Klearscreen provides an advanced formula that cleans both LCD and Plasma TVs safely according to the New York Times and Wall Street Journal. You can buy it in the market for about $12.99 or go here: Klearscreen.com.
If you want to try out other solutions, you can find them at electronics retailers. Philips cleaning liquids also work well with your Plasma TV.
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