Is the resolution of the images on your projector screen not as brilliant as usual? Are you worried about the functioning of your projector? Before you panic, know that your problem may be as trivial as dust and dirt, and you don’t necessarily need to buy a new projector screen. You can easily ensure that your projector image remains crystal-clear with some basic knowledge of projector screen upkeep. The quality of the projected image depends upon how well it reflects onto the screen, so projector owners should learn how to clean their screens the right way for a mind-blowing home theatre experience.
How Often Does a Projector Screen Need to be Cleaned?
As a general rule of thumb, you should be cleaning dust off the screen every 3 months to maintain dazzling image quality.
How often you should clean the projector screen may also depend on how often you use it. It could be a good idea to give it a quick wipe after every use, provided that you do it the right way. At other times, you may need to carry out a deeper screen cleaning, or you might find yourself facing a more serious stain. There are some specific rules you need to follow to clean your screen to make sure you don’t damage it. This article will take you through the cleaning process and give you all the do’s and don’ts .
Steps to a Clean Projector Screen, Simplified.
Removing dust from a projector screen is a piece of cake. You may want to invest in a can of compressed air and use it to blow away the settled dust. Don’t directly wipe a very dusty screen with a liquid cleaner. It will get sticky and smudgy – you definitely don’t want that. A clean microfiber cloth can be used to dust the screen surface as well.
Another hack is to use a piece of masking tape to gently tap on the screen with to remove stubborn dust. Just make sure you don’t accidentally scratch the surface of the screen. A paid of latex gloves would come in handy here.
You can go on to use a soft cloth dipped in a mild soap and water solution to gently wipe the screen in horizontal strokes. All-purpose surface cleaners make good substitutes but you have to be wary of harsh chemicals. Make sure the cloth is also lint-free and non-abrasive.
Finally, use another clean microfiber cloth to help the screen dry. Congratulations! Your projection screen is now squeaky clean.
Facing More Stubborn Stains?
All you need is rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) and a good old Q-tip to solve this problem. Let the alcohol soak the Q-tip completely and rub it on the spot with a gentle pressure. Don’t clean the whole projection screen with the alcohol – it’s strong and should be used for “spot treatment” only.
When you’ve removed the stain, use the other side of the Q-tip to dry off the wet spot.
What About Ambient Light Rejecting Screens?
These advanced, high-quality versions need extra care if you want to make sure you don’t damage the screen. You must never rub on an ALR screen. Wipe if you must, but with gentle pressure and never in a circular motion. It’s best to wipe left to right to clean the screen safely. Sticky stains can be removed with a 1:1 ratio of Formula 409 and water. Keep any other potentially damaging solvents away from the screen.
Remember never to roll up a projection screen while it is still wet.