Keeping kids and their often mucky fingers away from your TV screen can be a real test, so knowing the best way to get rid of those annoying little prints all over the display is important.
However, it seems that giving your telly a quick clean could actually be doing more harm than good, according to one TV expert.
Dan Brown from UK manufacturer Mitchell & Brown, has explained that using the incorrect cloth or spraying the screen with the wrong cleaning solution could cause irreversible damage. What's more, wiping with paper towels can cause "permanent" scratches.
As reported by the Mirror, the Operations Director said: "Avoid spraying anything directly onto the screen as the excess spray can get into the inner workings of the TV and damage it."
Residue can form on the screen by using improper cleaning solutions like furniture polish or household glass cleaners on the screen which can cause damage to the plastic screen over time.
It is vital to check the label and make sure the product you are using is approximate, the expert explained.
Brown added: "Always avoid putting anything on your TV screen that includes alcohol, ammonia, or acetone, chemicals which are often found in window cleaner products."
You should also be careful when choosing the type of cloth to use as some can scratch your TV.
"Using a different clean, dry, and lint-free cloth gently wipe the TV screen to remove grease, dirt, and dust," recommended the expert. "Microfibre cloths are soft and delicate and it’s best to avoid using anything rough on the TV like paper towels that could cause permanently visible scratches."
It is also key to be aware that often television screens are actually made of plastic rather than glass, unlike your smartphone or tablet.
"Make sure when choosing a cleaning product not to select one for tablet screens as tablets tend to have glass screens and can handle harsher chemicals as opposed to more delicate plastic TV screens," said Brown.
There are also other ways to keep your telly looking fresh such as using your vacuum cleaner on a low setting with a soft brush to get rid of dust and debris from the sockets.
Keeping your remote controls clean is also important, you can simply wipe them over with an antibacterial disinfectant wipe to rid them of germs. It is best to remove the batteries before doing so, replacing them when the control has air-dried fully.
Another tip is to unplug your box before giving it a clean as it is much easier to see the muck on a blank screen display.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to our daily newsletter here .
