How to Clean a TV Screen (Without Damaging It)

Last updated: September 2026

🕒 3 min read

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TV screens are more delicate than they look, and the wrong cloth or cleaner can leave permanent damage. Here’s what Samsung and LG each recommend, plus the method both agree on.

How to Clean a TV Screen: The Short Answer

Use a soft, dry or barely damp microfiber cloth, wipe in gentle circular motions, unplug the TV first, and let the screen fully air-dry before you plug it back in and power it on. Both Samsung and LG recommend this same core approach.

What You’ll Need

Just a soft, clean, lint-free microfiber cloth. Both Samsung and LG point to a microfiber cloth specifically — LG’s own instructions call it “perfect for this.” You don’t need any special cleaning products.

What to Avoid

Per Samsung’s own instructions, never spray liquid directly onto the screen — if you need moisture, apply a small amount of water to the cloth instead, never the screen itself. Samsung is also specific about what not to use: window cleaner, soap, scouring powder, benzene, ammonia, paint, alcohols, abrasive pads, or paper towels. Samsung’s stated reason is that these can scratch the screen or strip off the anti-glare coating.

If you’re curious how a Samsung OLED’s matte coating performs in a bright room, see our look at Samsung OLED anti-glare performance in bright rooms.

Step-by-Step

Unplug the TV before you start.
Wipe the screen gently in circular motions using your microfiber cloth — both Samsung and LG recommend this motion, and LG’s instructions specifically suggest working the cloth across each area from a few different angles in a single swipe.
If the screen needs a bit more than a dry wipe, LG’s instructions say to wet the cloth in lukewarm water, then wring it out until it’s almost dry, before wiping.
Let the screen fully air-dry before plugging the TV back in and turning it on.

Does It Matter Which TV Brand I Have?

Not much for the core method — LG’s own instructions say plainly that “no special products are necessary” and that the lukewarm-water-and-wring method applies across LG’s OLED, 4K and LED TV screens alike. Samsung’s guidance is the more detailed source on what to avoid, but the core cloth-and-circular-motion method both brands describe lines up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use glass cleaner on my TV?

No. Samsung’s own instructions specifically list window cleaner among the products to avoid, along with soap, scouring powder, benzene, ammonia, paint, alcohols, abrasive pads and paper towels — all of which risk scratching the screen or stripping its anti-glare coating.

What if I have a glossy screen?

Glossy and matte screen finishes can have different cleaning-risk considerations that go beyond what’s covered here — we haven’t sourced those differences for this guide. Our glossy vs matte TV screen guide covers how the two finishes handle reflections, not cleaning.