Laid back or clean compulsive, there comes a time in everyone’s life when they have to admit that their TV needs a good clean, but not everyone knows how. With the advent of plasma, projection, LED and LCD TVs you’re going to need a guide to help you get through the dust and enjoy your TV at its sparkly best again.

Turn off the TV: Remember, with all screen types it always advisable to turn off and unplug your TV before cleaning.

To clean your TV simply select your TV type and follow the instructions below:

Conventional (CRT)

Glass screen: If your TV is a direct view glass-screened box you can clean it safely with a glass cleaner and a paper towel. Always spray the cleaner on the cloth and not directly onto the TV to avoid drips.

Screen Coatings: Be warned, some newer CRTs have a special screen coating or shield. These may be damaged by paper products, so if in doubt use a soft cloth. For super heavy dirt you can use a slightly damp cloth and buff any smears with a dry cloth afterwards.

Anti-static tip: a good trick is give the screen a quick wipe over with a used tumble drier sheet so far less dust will be attracted to it.

Rear Projector /Digital Light Projector

DLP Screen: Nearly all DPL screens have a protective coating and can be cleaned with a soft damp cloth. If your screen does not have a screen cover you’ll need a special cleaning kit and should refer to your manual for cleaning guidelines.

DLP lamp cleaning: The TV will need to be turned off for at least two hours before cleaning to allow it to cool. You will then need to remove the lamp – there will be door allowing access to the lamp unit on the side of the TV. The lamp should be carefully cleaned with a dry micro-fibre cloth. This process is best performed with the help of your manufacturers guide.

Plasma Screen

Give your plasma TV ample time to cool before cleaning as they produce more heat than other flat screen TVs. Do not use paper products or heavy cleaning agents on plasma screens as they can scratch or damage the screen coating. Use a soft cloth to clean the screen, and if absolutely necessary dampen very slightly with warm water. Do not press too hard as this can damage the screen. To clean the edges of the screen you can use a cotton wool bud, but once again make sure it is only damp, not wet.

LCD Screen

Be very careful not to put heavy pressure on the screen while cleaning. Do not use solvents or paper products as these can scratch the screen. Use a 100% cotton or microfiber cloth. Only if absolutely necessary, dampen the cloth with a little water then immediately buff with a dry cloth to remove all trace of moisture.