Summary: Although some people confuse a liquid crystal display (LCD) with a PDP (plasma display panel), both types of display are cleaned in much the same way. The most important thing to remember when cleaning a plasma TV screen is never to touch the screen with wood products—such as paper towels—or solvents that contain alcohol.
Commonly confused with, and the acronyms often mistakenly interchanged, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and plasma display panels (PDPs) are two different forms of technology. As of this writing, LCDs have traditionally been used for smaller-sized displays, lending clearer pictures for the small screen, and PDPs used for larger viewers, such as large-screed plasma TVs. However, technology is lessening the gap between the two viewers and researchers believe that soon LCDs will be used for large displays just as PDPs are now.
As with LCDs, PDPs – or plasma TV screens – should be cleaned by a different method than what we were used to with glass-surfaced television screens. Special anti-glare coatings are applied to plasma screens, and solvents contained within glass cleaners such as Windex and Formula 409 contain high alcohol content and can damage the plasma TV screen and anti-glare coating. Abrasive materials, such as paper towels, should never be used to clean a plasma TV screen, as wood products will scratch and etch the surface of the screen.
Instead, follow these tips to clean your plasma TV screen and keep it in pristine condition:
- Unplug the television from the power source.
- Using a soft, lint-free cloth, such as a microfiber cloth, gently wipe the surface of the screen.
- If the screen is particularly smudged and dirty, dilute a mild detergent with water, at the rate of 1 part detergent with 100 parts water, soak a clean, lint-free cloth in the solution, wring it nearly dry, and then gently wipe the surface of the PDP, and then gently wipe it completely dry with another clean, lint-free cloth.
- When the surface is completely dry, plug the unit back into the power supply.
Always avoid touching the plasma TV screen with fingers or fingernails, and certainly do not allow hard objects to come in contact with the screen. If you are dusting adjacent furniture, never allow dusting solutions or other spray solvents to contact the plasma TV screen.
Do not scratch or hit the surface of the panel with fingernails or other hard objects. Furthermore, avoid contact with volatile substances such as insect sprays, solvents, and thinner, otherwise the quality of the surface may be adversely affected.