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Can I use Universal Cleaner on TV, monitor, or laptop screens?Updated 3 days ago

TL;DR: No. Don't use Universal Cleaner on any TV, monitor, laptop, tablet, or phone screen. Alkaline cleaners can damage the delicate anti-glare and oleophobic coatings on modern displays. Use a dry Glass Cloth for the display itself. Universal Cleaner is safe for bezels, stands, and cases when sprayed onto the cloth (not the device) and kept away from ports and seams.


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Koh Universal Cleaner solving common household cleaning problems
Koh Universal Cleaner safe for homes and surfaces

Can I use Universal Cleaner on TV, monitor, or laptop screens?

No. Modern TV, monitor, laptop, tablet, and phone screens carry delicate factory-applied coatings: anti-glare layers, oleophobic (fingerprint-resistant) coatings, and scratch-resistant films. These coatings are sensitive to cleaning chemistry. Koh Universal Cleaner is an alkaline cleaner (pH 12.5) designed for hard, non-coated household surfaces. It can strip or cloud screen coatings over time, and any liquid near ports, speakers, or seams can damage the electronics inside. The same applies to e-readers, smartwatches, and any device with a coated display. Use a dry Glass Cloth for the screen itself.

⚠ Never on any display

TVs, computer monitors, laptop screens, tablets, phones, smartwatches, e-readers. These carry anti-glare and oleophobic coatings that react to alkaline chemistry. Also avoid spraying near ports, speakers, or any seam where liquid could get inside.

No TVs No monitors No laptops No tablets No phones

How should I clean my screen?

Start with a clean, dry Koh Glass Cloth. Turn the screen off (dust shows up better against a dark surface and avoids the risk of a wet cloth touching a live screen). Wipe in straight lines from top to bottom with light pressure. For stubborn smudges, and only where your manufacturer's care guide allows, lightly mist distilled water onto the cloth (never directly onto the screen) and wipe gently, then immediately buff dry with a second clean cloth. Never use tap water (mineral deposits leave streaks), ammonia-based glass cleaners, alcohol wipes, or any alkaline cleaner on coated screens. The dry cloth method handles 90% of household screen cleaning.

✓ Three-step screen clean

1

Turn the screen off. Dust and smudges show up better against a dark screen. Avoid the risk of a wet cloth touching a live surface.

2

Wipe dry first. Use a clean, dry Glass Cloth in straight lines, top to bottom, with light pressure. This lifts most dust and light smudges without moisture.

3

Stubborn smudges? If your manufacturer allows, lightly mist distilled water onto the cloth (never the screen). Wipe gently, then immediately buff dry with a second cloth.

Can I use Universal Cleaner on bezels, stands, and cases?

Yes, with care. Koh Universal Cleaner is safe for plastic and metal bezels, monitor stands, laptop lids, TV frames, and hard plastic or metal device cases. Spray onto a Universal Cloth (never directly onto the device) and wipe the target area. Keep moisture well away from ports, speakers, vents, and any seam where liquid could get inside the device. Spot test first on visible surfaces. For glossy plastic frames especially, light pressure prevents micro-scratches. Avoid using on rubberised grips or matte coatings without a manufacturer's care guide check first.

✓ Safe for the non-screen parts

Bezels, monitor stands, laptop lids, TV frames, and hard plastic or metal cases. Always spray onto the cloth first, never onto the device. Keep liquid well away from ports, speakers, vents, and any seam where moisture could get inside.

Spray on cloth Avoid ports Spot test
Koh Glass Cloths 3pk

Glass Cloths 3pk

The screen-safe cloth. Ultra-fine weave, lint-free, streak-free. Dry use for displays, damp use for glass and mirrors.

Koh Universal Cleaner 2L

Universal Cleaner

Safe for bezels, stands, and cases. Never on the screen itself. Spray on the cloth, not the device.

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Last reviewed: August 2026 · Koh UK

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