How to clean an OLED TV: quick tips for a sparkling, dust-free screen

If you’ve invested serious cash in an OLED TV, you’re going to want to actually be able to see what's on the screen. A thick layer of dust and fingerprints between you and one of the best OLED TVs isn’t going to improve your visual experience and that means learning how to clean your OLED TV.

Before we start, it's important to keep a few things in mind. The first and most important tip is to stay away from all glass cleaners. Where these used to be fine for TVs of yore, OLED and LCD panels are sensitive and wouldn’t thank you for the corrosive effects of most chemical cleaners. This also goes for spraying anything directly onto the screen too.

Now that's out the way, here's how to clean an OLED TV, including tips from Sony and Samsung.

How to clean your OLED TV

In fact, the best way to clean an OLED TV screen is with no liquids whatsoever and to use a dry soft cloth. For its OLED and LCD screens, Sony suggests turning off the TV at the wall and using a dry cloth, such as an eyeglass cleaner. Be careful not to push down too hard on the panel so as not to damage the display.

If there are some hard-to-shift stains such as fingerprints, Sony says to soak a cloth in a non-soap synthetic cleanser diluted to less than 1% in water. (Samsung goes a step further and advises using only water on its screens – the vast majority of these aren't OLED, but the principle is still the same.)

Whichever option you go for, a wet cloth should be tightly squeezed to avoid any excess liquids, and the offending area should be wiped very gently. Immediately afterwards, grab a soft, dry cloth to remove any moisture from the area. As is always the rule: moisture and tech don’t get along!

For other areas, you’ll want to grab a duster to go over any particularly fluffy areas between the TV and the stand. If you have dust in the vented areas at the back of the TV – that is if you can see them and the TV isn’t wall mounted – Sony suggests removing the dust with a vacuum cleaner attachment once a month.

Keeping the vents dust-free can help avoid any overheating issues, and ensures that air can flow freely into the hot bits of the TV. Keeping this clear should help prolong the life of your the TV and make sure it works to the best of its ability.