How to Clean a Flat Screen TV

You'll need a soft, dry cloth and maybe a little distilled water or an equal ratio of distilled water to white vinegar

By
Tim Fisher
Photo of Tim Fisher, Lifewire GM and Writer
Tim Fisher
Senior Vice President & Group General Manager, Tech & Sustainability
  • Emporia State University
Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the SVP and General Manager of Lifewire.
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Updated on November 14, 2023
Reviewed by
Kayla Dube
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Reviewed by Kayla Dube
  • J. Everette Light Career Center
Kayla Dube has 4+ years' experience in videography and filmmaking. She frequently works in production with indie film companies.
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What to Know

  • Turn off TV and wipe gently and without pressure using soft, dry cloth.
  • If needed, dampen cloth with distilled water or equal ratio of distilled water to white vinegar.

This article explains how to safely clean your flat screen monitor, TV, laptop screen, or other device in just a few minutes. This information applies to televisions from most manufacturers, such as LG, Samsung, Panasonic, Sony, and Vizio.

1:31

How to Properly Clean a TV

How to Clean a Flat Screen TV or Computer Monitor

  1. Turn off the device. If the screen is dark, it will be easier to see the dirty or oily areas. Turning the device off also prevents you from accidentally pushing buttons you don't want to push, which happens often when cleaning touchscreen devices like tablets, iPads, etc.

  2. Use a dry, soft cloth and very gently wipe the screen with a microfiber cloth or dry eraser, both equally fantastic choices.

  3. If the dry cloth did not completely remove the dirt or oil, do not press harder to scrub it off. Pushing directly on the screen can often cause pixels to burn out, especially on laptop displays, desktop monitors, and LCD/LED TV screens.

    This isn't so much an issue on screens designed to be touched, like phones and tablets, but be careful.

  4. If necessary, dampen the cloth with distilled water or with an equal ratio of distilled water to white vinegar. Many companies also sell small spray bottles of special cleaner for flat screens. Never spray the screen directly.

  5. The plastic edge that surrounds the screen can be cleaned with any multipurpose cleaner but take care to avoid contact with the screen itself.

Tips & More Information

Here are some tips to consider before you begin cleaning your TV screen:

  1. Avoid using paper towels, toilet paper, tissue paper, rags, or something like your shirt to wipe the screen. These non-ultrasoft materials can scratch the display.

  2. Avoid cleaning products that contain ammonia (like Windex®), ethyl alcohol (Everclear® or other strong drinking alcohol), toluene (paint solvents), as well as acetone or ethyl acetate (one or the other is often used in nail polish remover).

    These chemicals can react with the materials that the flat screen is made of or coated with, which could permanently discolor the screen or cause other kinds of damage.

  3. Again, never spray liquid directly onto the screen. It could leak into the device and cause damage. Always put the cleaning solution onto the cloth and then wipe from there.

  4. These same cleaning "rules" apply no matter if your TV is 8K, 4K, or 1080p (HD). Those differences don't mean the display is necessarily made out of anything different, requiring different cleaning, it's just a measure of how many pixels per inch they shoved in the same space.

  5. Want to buy your own cleaning products to clean your TV screen and other electronics? See our Best Tech Cleaning Products list for some of our favorite picks.

  6. If you're cleaning your TV because it appears dirty, but then find that the screen is actually physically damaged, you might be ready for a new HDTV. See our Best TVs to Buy list for our top suggestions, or this Best Cheap TVs list for some budget-friendly HDTVs.

Plasma TVs are glass, as are many touchscreens, but often also have very sensitive anti-glare coatings applied. Take the same special care with those types of displays.

FAQ
  • How do I clean my phone screen?

    To clean a phone screen, use a dry microfiber cloth. For tough dirt or sticky spots, dampen a corner of the cloth with a bit of water, or use cleaning wipes that are made specifically for phones.

  • How do I clean my MacBook screen?

    To clean a MacBook screen, use a dry or damp microfiber cloth. If water doesn't suffice, you can use 70 percent isopropyl alcohol wipes, 75 percent ethyl alcohol wipes, or Clorox brand disinfecting wipes.

  • How do I clean my iPad screen?

    To clean an iPad screen, use a microfiber cloth or a soft, lint-free cloth dipped in water (no cleaning supplies or solvents). Use gentle, side-to-side movements to clean the entire screen, and avoid getting moisture in any openings.

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