KitchenAid

Samsung

Café

Electrolux

Are you unknowingly damaging your TV? Learn the most common habits that could shorten its life and how to keep it in perfect condition. 

Your TV is a big part of your home &mdash; whether it's movie night, binge-watching, or gaming. But did you know that some everyday habits could be slowly wearing it down?
It's easy to overlook the little things, but small mistakes can cause long-term damage. Don't worry &mdash;&nbsp;Toton’s TV has your back! Let's walk through some everyday bad habits to avoid so your TV lasts longer and keeps looking sharp!
<h2>1. Avoid Using Harsh Cleaners</h2>
<img alt="Young woman using microfiber cloth to dust TV screen" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/Q4_2024/Elec_Stop-These-TV-Habits_1.jpg" />
It might seem easy to grab glass cleaner when your TV gets smudged, but that can damage the screen. Harsh chemicals, like ammonia or alcohol, can strip away its protective coating, leading to streaks, discoloration, or scratches.
Instead, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe the screen gently (an antistatic cloth will keep it cleaner longer!). For tougher spots, lightly dampen the cloth with water or use a cleaner made for electronics. Always avoid spraying anything directly on the screen to prevent damage.
<h2>2. Don't Max Out the Volume</h2>
<img alt="Closeup of an Asian woman setting up the sound on her TV with her soundbar and speakers" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/Q4_2024/Elec_Stop-These-TV-Habits_2.jpg" />
We've all been there &mdash; turning the volume way up when dialogue is hard to hear or during a tense scene. But constantly cranking up the volume on your TV's built-in speakers can lead to distortion, blown speakers, or overall sound degradation.
For better quality audio, look for a soundbar or a surround sound setup to get the rich, immersive experience you're after. These options include features like dialogue enhancement or virtual surround sound, which create a fuller, more dynamic sound!

<figure class="dsg-bg-box">
 <blockquote>
Pro Tip:
 
When shopping for a soundbar, look for one with HDMI ARC (Audio Return Channel) to control your TV and soundbar volume with one remote!
 </blockquote>
</figure>
<h2>3. Don't Ignore Software Updates</h2>
It's tempting to dismiss those software update reminders, but ignoring them could cause your TV to miss out on important performance improvements, bug fixes, or even new features. Over time, failing to update your TV's software could lead to sluggish performance, lagging apps, or even security risks.
So, make sure your TV is set to update automatically or check for updates regularly. This will keep everything running smoothly without you having to lift a finger.
<h2>4. Stop Leaving Static Images on the Screen</h2>
<img alt="A TV featuring a shopping channel with static images on the screen" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/Q4_2024/Elec_Stop-These-TV-Habits_3.jpg" />
Pausing a game or letting a news ticker run for hours might not seem like a big deal, but it can lead to burn-in &mdash; a permanent ghost image on your screen that's especially common in OLED and plasma TVs. This usually occurs after static images are left for several hours, especially at high brightness.
LED and LCD TVs can also experience temporary image retention, but following these same steps to prevent burn-in will help manage it!&nbsp;
To avoid burn-in:
<ul>
<li>Turn off the TV or use a screen saver when you're not watching.</li>
<li>Lower brightness during extended gaming or binge-watching sessions.</li>
<li>Switch content or take breaks every couple of hours to prevent static images from lingering too long.</li>
<li>Activate features like "pixel shift" or "screen refresh" to reduce the risk of burn-in.</li>
</ul>
<h2>5. Don't Neglect Proper Ventilation</h2>
Your TV needs room to breathe! TVs generate heat when they're on, and if placed in a confined space, the heat can build up and cause performance issues &mdash; or worse, damage to the internal components over time. So, to ensure your TV stays cool, follow these steps:
<ul>
<li>Leave 4&ndash;6 inches of space around your TV for airflow.</li>
<li>Avoid placing your TV in enclosed spaces, like cabinets or tight shelves, unless there's proper ventilation.</li>
<li>Dust the vents regularly to ensure adequate airflow and prevent overheating.</li>
</ul>

<figure class="dsg-bg-box">
 <blockquote>
Pro Tip:
 
Use an adjustable wall mount to tilt your TV slightly away from the wall, improving airflow and giving you better viewing angles. 
 </blockquote>
</figure>
<h2>6. Never Neglect Surge Protection</h2>
<img alt="Closeup of a surge protector with lots of electronics plugged in" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/Q4_2024/Elec_Stop-These-TV-Habits_4.jpg" />
A power surge can happen instantly, but the damage it can cause to your TV could be permanent. Lightning storms, power outages, or even a flicker from a household appliance can send a voltage spike that fries your TV's internal parts.
Using a surge protector is an easy way to keep your TV safe. Look for one with at least 1,000 joules of protection, enough to absorb most spikes. For extra peace of mind, pick a surge protector with an automatic shutdown feature &mdash; it'll cut the power during a surge, keeping your TV and other devices protected.
<h2>7. Wall Mount Carefully</h2>
<img alt="A modern living room with a wall-mounted TV with plenty of ventilation " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/Q4_2024/Elec_Stop-These-TV-Habits_5.jpg" />
Mounting your TV can make your space look sleek and save room, but it can lead to serious headaches if it's not done right. A poorly mounted TV risks falling and could damage your wall or hurt someone. So, to avoid problems, follow these steps:
<ul>
<li>Pick the right mount: Check the back of your TV for four screw holes arranged in a square or rectangle&mdash;that's your TV's VESA pattern. The mount you choose needs to match that pattern and be strong enough to support your TV's weight. If the mount isn't rated for your TV's size and weight, it could pull away from the wall or tilt over time.</li>
<li>Secure it to studs: Always mount your TV to the wall studs (use a stud finder to know where to place the screws) and use proper anchors for added support.</li>
<li>Check your setup: If your mount tilts or swivels, set the viewing angle before locking everything in place.</li>
</ul>
Not sure about doing it yourself? A pro can ensure it's done right, so you won't have to worry about your TV falling unexpectedly.
<h2>TLC = TV Loving Care!</h2>
By kicking a few bad habits, you can keep your TV running smoothly and looking sharp for years. But if your TV is experiencing problems, don't just deal with it; find your upgrade at Toton’s TV! We have a variety of <a href="https://www.totonstv.com/catalog/televisions" target="_blank">top-brand TVs</a> with all the latest features!
And if you have any questions, our team can help &mdash; <a href="https://www.totonstv.com/contacts" target="_blank">call or stop by today</a>!
<style>

.dsg-line {
 border-bottom: 1px solid #ccc;
 margin: auto;
 width: 95%;
}

.dsg-bg-box {
 margin: 0;
 background: rgba(241, 241, 241, 0.9);
 padding: 15px;
 border-radius: 5px;
}

blockquote {
 text-indent: none;
 border-left: 3px solid black;
 font-size: 20px;
}

@supports ( hanging-punctuation: first) {
 blockquote {
 text-indent: 0;
 hanging-punctuation: first;
 }
}

.dsg-bg-box figcaption,
.dsg-bg-box blockquote {
 margin: 1em;
 padding-left: 15px;
 
}

div.dsg-gallery {
 border: 1px solid #ccc;
}

div.dsg-gallery:hover {
 border: 1px solid #777;
}

div.dsg-gallery img {
 width: 100%;
 height: auto;
}

div.dsg-gal-desc {
 padding: 10px;
 text-align: center;
}

* {
 box-sizing: border-box;
}

.responsive-dsg {
 padding: 0 6px;
 float: left;
 width: 33.33333%;
}

@media only screen and (max-width: 700px) {
 .responsive-dsg {
 width: 33.33333%;
 margin: 6px 0;
 }
}

@media only screen and (max-width: 500px) {
 .responsive-dsg {
 width: 100%;
 }
}

.clearfix:after {
 content: "";
 display: table;
 clear: both;
}

.dsg-boilerplate {
 color: #757575; 
 font-style: italic;
 font-size: 0.8em;
}
 
</style>

How To Avoid Damaging Your TV — Stop These 7 Habits Today!

Put down the Windex! Our experts have easy and TV-friendly advice to keep them spotless. Take a look! 

Cleaning your TV periodically is essential if you consistently want the greatest picture quality possible and to keep your TV going strong for a long time to come. However, the majority of flat-screen TVs are built of fragile materials that are easily harmed if you don't clean them properly.

Before you dive into cleaning, make sure your TV is off and completely cooled down, so you can easily see any dirt and smudges. And then be sure to check the owner&rsquo;s manual for specific guidelines

But if you&rsquo;ve lost your manual don&rsquo;t worry! These tips are a sure-fire way to a squeaky clean screen!

<h2>Cleaning Flat-Screen Plasma, LED, LCD, and OLED TVs</h2>

Whether you just bought a new TV or have a 4K flat screen that you want to keep pristine, you can achieve the most effective clean by following these basic steps:

First, use a soft, dry microfiber cloth to dust the TV or an electrostatic duster, like a Swiffer. However, you should never use paper towels, tissues, or rags. You want to ensure you go over buttons and the back of the TV to nab dust in the vents. Keep in mind not to apply excessive pressure to the screen. Too much pressure on the screen can burn out the pixels.

Then you want to spot clean stubborn smudges with a pre-moistened wipe made for electronics or a solution of very mild dish soap highly diluted with water, applied to the cloth and not to the TV itself.
Pro Tip:&nbsp; Never spray any liquids directly onto the TV to avoid the risk of component failure.
<img alt="Woman dusting tv with blue duster" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/Q3_2022/Elec_how-to-clean-a-flat-screen-tv_1.jpg" width="700" />

<h2>How to Keep it Streak Free</h2>
<h2></h2>
One constant struggle that comes from cleaning TVs is trying to keep them streak-free. Just when you think you have it nice and clean, you&rsquo;ll suddenly notice streaks ruining your screen. To avoid that, you should avoid using pre-treated dusting cloths, as they have oily coatings and can leave residue on a TV (but they work great for dusting wooden furniture!).

Instead, use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the screen once in one direction (horizontally or vertically), then again in the opposite way to completely cover the entire surface and remove any visible streaks. As dust gathers on the cloth, turn it frequently. And the next time you touch the screen or see a streak, buff it away before it turns into a dust magnet.

You might&rsquo;ve thought that was it, but since you&rsquo;re cleaning the TV, you should also clean the other heavily used entertainment items like the speakers and remotes.

<img alt="a person cleaning tv with a microfiber cloth" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/Q3_2022/Elec_how-to-clean-a-flat-screen-tv_2.jpg" width="700" />
<h2>Cleaning TV speakers</h2>

Speaker sounds a bit muffled? If you ruled out tech issues, it most likely needs to be cleaned. If your speakers' fabric covers are removable (see manual), remove them and use the upholstery tool to vacuum both sides to get rid of the dust, lint, and pet hair that frequently collect there. If the covers cannot be removed, use a lint roller or a vacuum attachment and work from the front.
<img alt="hand dusting off speaker" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/Q3_2022/Elec_how-to-clean-a-flat-screen-tv_4.jpg" width="700" />
<h2>Cleaning Remotes</h2>

While you don&rsquo;t have to clean the remote, if you&rsquo;re worried about the spread of germs in your home, you should. Before you begin cleaning, remove the batteries. Then tap the remote against your palm while it is upside down, with the buttons facing downward, to clear any debris that may have gotten stuck between them. Use a gentle cloth dampened with a small amount of alcohol diluted with water to wipe the entire remote.

You can also use a cotton swab moistened with the alcohol/water mixture to clean in and around the buttons. With a dry toothbrush or wooden toothpick, you can remove more stubborn crud that has gotten further inside the keys. When you&rsquo;re done, gently wipe the remote down with a dried cloth and then reinstall the batteries.
<img alt="hands with gloves cleaning the tv remote control" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/Q3_2022/Elec_how-to-clean-a-flat-screen-tv_3.jpg" width="700" />
<h2>Enjoy the Clean!</h2>

Now that you know how to keep your flat-screen TV clean, happy watching! But, if you cleaning it still doesn&rsquo;t help the state of your TV, or if you applied too much pressure, it&rsquo;s okay! Seriously, Toton’s TV has you covered with prime <a href="https://www.totonstv.com/catalog/televisions/" target="_blank">TV </a> deals and brands that&rsquo;ll get you right back to binge-watching! Need more help? Just <a href="https://www.totonstv.com/contacts/" target="_blank">give us a call</a>; we&rsquo;ll be happy to help.

How to Clean Your Flat-Screen TV The Right Way 

Put down those chemicals, Walter White! Here’s what you should be using to clean your HD TV instead. 

<img alt="Tips to Make Your Home Audio System Sound Better" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/blog/2018/CI - Electronics _ How to clean your HDTV1.jpg?w=700" style="width: 100%;" />
Glass screen TVs are a thing of the past, and you don&rsquo;t want to use the same methods that you would have used to clean those on your nice, shiny HD TV screen. Seriously. It isn&rsquo;t a good idea.
That doesn&rsquo;t mean that you need to leave your TV there to collect dust, grime, and other obnoxious airborne debris. If you are careful, there are still ways to clean your TV and make it look just like the day you brought it home.
But, if you are new to the HD world &ndash; or have just finally decided that it is long past time to clean your TV &ndash; there are some things to keep in mind. These tips will help make sure your TV stays around as long as possible, and cleaning it doesn&rsquo;t accidently turn into a case of &ldquo;whoops I broke the TV and now I have to go get a new one&rdquo;-itis.
Also, you&rsquo;ll want to make sure to check any labels or other such warnings that may have come with your TV in its manual, as well. Better safe than sorry.
1) Power down 
Before you start cleaning your TV, you want to make sure to turn it off. It&rsquo;s a simple step, but one that you don&rsquo;t want to forget, either.
You&rsquo;ll also want to give the screen some time to cool down. This will help avoid those unsightly streaks that can show up after you are done wiping down the screen.
2) Go micro
Microfiber, that is. Grab a microfiber cloth, such as the cloth that came with your TV set. Be gentle &ndash; this is an expensive piece of technology you are cleaning, remember &ndash; and don&rsquo;t press down hard. Don&rsquo;t. Press. Down. Hard.
<img alt="Tips to Make Your Home Audio System Sound Better" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/blog/2018/CI - Electronics _ How to clean your HDTV2.jpg?w=700" style="width: 100%;" />
If you aren&rsquo;t sure if what you have is a microfiber cloth, go out and find one that specifically says it is. What you really don&rsquo;t want to use is something that is going to damage the screen. It may seem more convenient, but paper towels, sponges, rags, wood-based papers, Kleenex, toilet paper, or even t-shirts are all out. Don&rsquo;t put them on your TV screen. Just don&rsquo;t.
3) Extra attention
If that isn&rsquo;t enough, there are still some things you can try. Don&rsquo;t use cleaners that have alcohol, ammonia, acetone, methyl chloride, or ethyl acid in them. That means Windex is out for this task.
But, you can try using a microfiber cloth and upgrade it a bit to give it a little more cleaning power. Dip your cloth in a solution of equal parts water and vinegar, and gently use that to clean off the screen. Make sure that you don&rsquo;t get the screen too wet &ndash; as that can cause damage, as well &ndash; and you&rsquo;ll want to grab another microfiber cloth to wipe the screen dry when you are done.
Another bonus tip: Don&rsquo;t spray liquid directly on the TV, as that could cause lasting damage. Go with the wet microfiber cloth approach, instead.
Questions? Come visit us and we are more than happy to give you all the insider info.

<img style="float: left; padding-right: 20px;" alt="Tips to Make Your Home Audio System Sound Better" src="https://cdn.avbportal.com/magento-media/blog/2018/CI - Electronics _ How to clean your HDTV1.jpg" width="205" />

Put down those chemicals, Walter White! Here’s what you should be using to clean your HDTV instead.

How to Clean Your HDTV

Default Dev Script Validation

<avb-header-after>  <avb-designer-block data-id="27" class="avb-grid avb-typography dsg-block-27-header-after"> <div class="avb-grid__column avb-grid__column--small-12 dsg-block-27__no-padding dsg-block-27-header-after__headline"> <avb-link class="dsg-block-27-header-after__content" data-href="https://www.totonstv.com/contacts"> Price Match Guarantee - Call or Visit Us&nbsp;Today</avb-link> </div> </avb-designer-block> </avb-header-after> <style> /* ==================== Header-after (block-27-header-after) ==================== */ .dsg-block-27-header-after { padding: 0; } .dsg-block-27-header-after__headline { padding: .8rem; text-align: center; background-color: #9d061c; color: #fff; text-align: center; font-family: 'Montserrat', sans-serif; font-size: clamp(0.8rem, 2.1vw, 1rem); } .dsg-block-display { display: none; } .dsg-block-mobile { display: block; } .dsg-block-display { display: none; } .dsg-block-27-header-after__content, .dsg-block-27-header-after__content:visited, .dsg-block-27-header-after__content:active, .dsg-block-27-header-after__content:focus { color: #fff; text-decoration: none; width: 100%; display: block; font-size: clamp(0.8rem, 2.1vw, 1rem); } .dsg-block-27-header-after__content:hover { color: #9de8e9; } .dsg-block-27-header-after-icon{ display:inline-block; margin-right:0.25rem; } .dsg-block-27-header-after--bold { font-weight: 700; } @media screen and (min-width: 600px) { .dsg-block-mobile { display: none; } .dsg-block-display { display: inline; } .dsg-block-display { display: inline; } .dsg-block-27-header-after__headline { font-size: 1rem; } .dsg-block-27-header-after__content, .dsg-block-27-header-after__content:visited, .dsg-block-27-header-after__content:focus { display: inline; } } @media screen and (min-width: 960px) {} @media screen and (min-width: 1280px) {} @media screen and (min-width: 1600px) {} </style>  <avb-promotions data-type="custom" data-banner-id="762774"></avb-promotions>  <avb-promotions data-type="custom" data-banner-id="755818"></avb-promotions>

Default Header After Global Promotions

<avb-promotions data-type="custom" data-banner-id="767283"></avb-promotions>  <avb-promotions data-type="custom" data-banner-id="767508"></avb-promotions>  <avb-promotions data-type="custom" data-banner-id="758328"></avb-promotions>  <avb-promotions data-type="custom" data-banner-id="758191"></avb-promotions>  <avb-promotions data-type="custom" data-banner-id="11507"></avb-promotions>  <avb-promotions data-type="custom" data-banner-id="11508"></avb-promotions>  <avb-promotions data-type="custom" data-banner-id="12751"></avb-promotions>  <avb-promotions data-type="custom" data-banner-id="12752"></avb-promotions>  <avb-promotions data-type="custom" data-banner-id="734280"></avb-promotions>

Blog

How To Avoid Damaging Your TV — Stop These 7 Habits Today!

How to Clean Your Flat-Screen TV The Right Way

How to Clean Your HDTV

Toton's TV

Location

Toton's TV

Hours

Connect With Us

Payment Methods