You should clean a flat screen TV with a soft, dry microfiber cloth and (if needed) a tiny amount of distilled water or a screen‑safe cleaner applied to the cloth, never directly to the screen. Avoid paper towels, glass cleaner, alcohol, and ammonia‑based sprays because they can scratch or damage the coating.

Quick Scoop

Safe things to use

  • A dry microfiber cloth (the type for glasses or camera lenses) for regular dusting and light smudges.
  • A slightly damp microfiber cloth with a bit of distilled water for fingerprints or light grime.
  • A screen‑safe TV or electronics cleaner , sprayed onto the cloth, not onto the TV, for tougher spots.

Example routine:
Turn the TV off and let the screen cool, gently wipe with a dry microfiber cloth in straight lines (side‑to‑side or up‑and‑down), and only if marks remain, go over them with a lightly dampened cloth, then finish with a dry cloth to prevent streaks.

Things to avoid

  • Paper towels, tissues, kitchen roll, or rough cloths (they can create micro‑scratches).
  • Window cleaners (like classic glass sprays), alcohol, ammonia, or strong multi‑surface cleaners on flat screens. These can strip the delicate anti‑glare coating.
  • Spraying any liquid directly on the screen; liquid can seep into the edges and damage internal components.
  • Pressing hard on the screen, especially LCD and OLED panels, as pressure can cause permanent damage.

Simple step‑by‑step

  1. Turn off and, ideally, unplug the TV so the screen is cool and smudges are easier to see.
  1. Use a dry microfiber cloth to remove dust and loose particles with gentle strokes.
  1. For smudges, lightly dampen a corner of the cloth with distilled water or screen cleaner and wipe gently.
  1. Immediately go over the area with a dry part of the cloth to dry and de‑streak.

Many people on cleaning forums swear by “just a damp microfiber cloth and then a dry one right after” for day‑to‑day TV cleaning—no fancy products required.

TL;DR:
Use a soft microfiber cloth (dry first, then barely damp if needed), be gentle, and never use paper towels, harsh cleaners, or spray liquid directly on the screen.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.