Steps to cleaning smart TVs the right way

August 3, 2023

By Kim Komando

It’s nuts how cheap you can get a smart TV these days. Let me rephrase: It’s nuts how much of our data we’re willing to hand over for a cheap TV. 

Alas, you still want yours to last. That means you need to do a lot more than dust the screen now and then.

But you might as well do that right, too

Use a dry, soft cloth to wipe away dust and debris. I always have a stack of microfiber cloths around because they don’t scratch. Press gently if you have an LCD TV.

For oil spots and fingerprints, spray electronics cleaner on a cloth and gently rub the area until it’s clean. Or take the easy route as I do and pick up this $5 pack of wipes.

Just say no to ammonia, acetone and alcohol.

Banish the dust

Vents keep your TV cool and prevent overheating. They’re on the back and maybe the sides of your TV. Before you clean them, unplug your TV. A duster works, but a vacuum is better.

Don’t forget the ports

Ports are usually on the back, sides or sometimes below or above your TV screen. A cotton swab might break those delicate connections and leave a trail of fuzz.

Grab a can of compressed air. Never shake the container and never stick the nozzle inside your TV ports. Hold the nozzle about an inch away and spray at an angle. If you don’t like the waste, try a rechargeable electronics duster. 

Sanitize the remote

Everyone in the house touches the TV remote, and you know they’re not constantly washing their hands. A tiny bit of liquid is OK. Use a sanitizing wipe or a slightly damp cloth to wipe the remote.

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