How to Clean a Plasma Screen

Co-authored by Raymond Chiu

Plasma screens look sleek but are very delicate. Even a paper towel can leave a scratch on your new TV. In addition, liquid cleaners should never be applied directly to the screen and strong cleaners, including ammonia and other abrasives, must never be used. You can keep your plasma screen clean by regular dusting with a microfiber cloth, washing stains with a wet cloth and gentle detergent, and drying the screen with a clean cloth.

Things You Should Know

Use a dry, lint-free microfiber cloth to wipe the screen if you’re just removing dust.
Turn the TV off and let it cool before you do any form of cleaning more intensive than a surface-level screen wiping.
You can also use a vacuum with a hose attachment to pull dust out of hard-to-reach vents and grooves around the screen, but don’t touch the screen with the rim of the hose.
For tougher smudges, mix some distilled water with a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle and mist a microfiber cloth; use the cloth to gently wipe the screen.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Dusting the Screen

1
Turn off the device and let it cool. Before you touch the screen, it needs a chance to cool down. You may wish to unplug it too, particularly if you plan on using liquid anywhere on the device. Give the screen five minutes to cool. After waiting, move your hand close to the screen. Eventually, you won’t feel any heat when you touch it.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.}
- In addition to taking safety precautions, turning off the screen also makes it easier to see any smudges that are on the screen because they'll show up more apparently against a dark background.^{[2]
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  Expert Source
  
  Raymond Chiu
  House Cleaning Professional
  Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.}
2
Dust the screen with a microfiber cloth. Use only a soft, lint-free cloth or else you can scratch the delicate screen. Wipe the dry cloth over the screen to remove dust and fingerprints. Unless you have stubborn stains, this will be enough to clean the screen.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Raymond Chiu
House Cleaning Professional
Expert Interview. 15 October 2019.}
- Even paper towels are too abrasive to risk using on plasma screens.
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3
Wipe off the area around the screen with the cloth. Use the same cloth from before to remove dust and debris from the rest of the device. Avoid using liquid if possible, since the liquid can drip into the device and onto the screen.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Stains

1
Spray water on a microfiber cloth. For stubborn stains, you will have to use water. Load lukewarm water into a spray bottle and spray it onto the cloth. Alternatively, dip the cloth into lukewarm water and squeeze out excess moisture.^{[4]
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- Distilled water is better to use than tap water. Tap water, even after filtration, contains minerals and chemicals that can build up on the screen over time.^{[5]
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- Never spray liquid directly onto the screen.
2
Wipe the cloth over the screen. Pass the cloth over the screen. Most stains will come off without you having to press down on the screen. Continue to wipe the screen using minimal pressure until the stain is completely removed.
3
Mix a gentle detergent for additional cleaning power. For the worst stains, you can add a squirt of a gentle detergent, such as Dawn, to your water. Spray the cleaner onto the cloth or dip the cloth into the water. Wring out excess moisture before use.

Image titled Clean a Plasma Screen Step 6

1
Use alcohol and commercial cleaners with caution. In large quantities, isopropyl alcohol can damage the screen. In a pinch, however, it can remove tough stains. Dilute it into a cleaning mixture by adding one part isopropyl alcohol to four parts water. Dampen a soft cloth with the mixture and use it to wipe off the stain.^{[6]
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- Vinegar can be substituted in for isopropyl alcohol. However, it dries slower.^{[7]
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- Other strong, abrasive substances such as ammonia and benzene will certainly damage the display. Check the label on any liquids you intend on applying to the screen.^{[8]
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- Commercial cleaners for plasma screens are available. Some include isopropyl alcohol in the mixture, so consult the label first.
2
Wash off the rest of the device with water. Use water or the gentle detergent mixture for clean the rest of the device. Dip the cloth into the water, making sure to wring out the excess. If the cloth drips, it will leave water that can run into the device or back onto the screen. Wipe the cloth gently over the surfaces of the device.
3
Dry the screen with a clean cloth. Take another microfiber cloth and wipe it over the screen. Dry off the rest of the device as well with the cloth. Make sure all moisture has evaporated or been picked up by the cloth. Once the screen is completely dry, you may turn the screen back on.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Maintaining Plasma Screens

1
Wipe off the screen regularly. Whenever dust and fingerprints begin to accumulate, wipe the screen off with a soft cloth. This will keep the picture as clear as possible. Also, remove stains before they have time to settle. This way, you won’t have to depend on liquid cleaners.
2
Keep the vents clear of dust. Wipe the box of the device with a soft cloth to remove all dust. Anything blocking the vents disturbs the device’s ability to cool. TVs, for example, that are well-ventilated last longer.
3
Turn off the screen when not in use. Plasma screens suffer from burn-in, which happens when the screen’s pixels are damaged. Do not pause images on the screen and leave them on there for more than ten minutes. Also, keep brightness levels as low as possible and turn down the contrast level in dim light.^{[9]
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Warnings

Screens that haven’t been given adequate time to cool can cause burns.

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Never spray liquids directly onto the screen, or else you run the risk of electric shock or fire.

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