How to Clean Your TV Remote to Make It Look Like New
Whether for the TV, music system or even if you have mechanized blinds, the remote control gets a lot of use. Especially if we don't really know what we want to watch, flicking through channels or options in a streaming menu means we are constantly thumbing the buttons. It is common to eat salty and greasy snacks such as chips or popcorn when watching a movies. This means it is so easy for dirt and grease to clog up the spaces between buttons. Some of us regularly eat meals in front of the tube. For this reason, oneHOWTO explains how to clean your TV remote to make it look like new. This deep cleaning remote guide will make it look fresh out the box once again.
Have the materials to clean the TV remote on hand
To clean your TV remote, you will need certain materials to help you get in all the nooks and crannies, as well as break down stubborn dirt. These are the following
- Cotton swabs
- A clean and soft cloth
- 70% isopropyl alcohol
- A screwdriver
- 3-in-1 contact cleaner
- A small container for excess alcohol
In addition to the above, you will need to remove the batteries from the remote. This will avoid the risk of accidentally activating the buttons or unnecessary damage.
Learn more about safety with electronic devices in our article explaining whether it is safe to sleep beside your mobile.
Clean the surface of the TV remote control
The first thing you're going to clean is the surface of the TV remote using the damp cloth. It's important that the cloth isn't soaking wet, as you could damage the internal contacts of the remote control's circuitry. It should just be damp enough that rubbing gently will remove any superficial dirt.
You can use a mild cleaning product that won't damage the plastic of the case. This will help remove any accumulated germs and bacteria. There are specific products, but the most suitable is alcohol, at least for the outside. A good option is to moisten the cloth with isopropyl alcohol, again without soaking it. Alcohol is ideal because it can dissolve any dirt or grease that may have built up, but it won't damage the plastic. This is particularly good if you have sticky or greasy stains.
Remove dirt from the crevices of the remote control
The next step is to carefully clean the spaces between the buttons. To do this, you will need cotton swabs, previously moistened with alcohol. With the cotton swabs, you can access places that the cleaning cloth cannot reach, such as the crevices where food and dirt remains accumulate.
This thorough cleaning will allow the remote control to work better, as it often stops working due to accumulated dirt. When this happens, the keys get stuck or do not work well. The accumulated dirt acts as a barrier or simply sticks the keys to the remote.
Clean the remote control contacts carefully
The next step is to open your TV remote control very carefully. As we have said, you will need to remove the batteries. Doing so will help us clean the contacts without causing a short. This should be done gently and without water. Letting water into the circuitry will be the worst thing you can do.
The safest way to do this is to use a specific product. You can buy a 3-in-1 contact cleaner which is indicated for this very purpose. Put a little of this product on the cotton swab and gently clean the contacts. Never put the cleaner directly on the remote because its strength can cause damage to the plastic parts.
To buy contact cleaner or simply learn more about the product, use the link below:
Dry the TV remote control
Take your time and let everything dry properly before reassembling the remote. Everything must be dry before you put the batteries in, especially. You must be patient because if there is any moisture left, it can affect both the batteries and the circuitry of the remote control. When you are done, put everything back together, tighten the screws and it should be good to go. In fact, the remote should be so clean it is as if it is new.
Tips to keep your TV remote clean
While you might need to sporadically carry out a deep clean of your TV remote control, there are also ways you can maintain cleanliness over time. This means you may not need to deep clean it after all. Tips to keep your remote control clean include:
- Food: make sure you don't touch it when you're eating. We know it's tempting to eat while watching your favorite series or movies. You may need to pause a show to get some more food from the kitchen, but at least try to keep your hands clean while you do so you.
- Light cleaning: don't let dirt build up, but try to clean your remote control at least once a month to keep it free of grease or dust particles. This is a practice you can carry out on an ongoing basis to prevent your remote control from developing a buildup of dirt that can affect its functionality.
- Cleaning products: please note that you should not use abrasive or aggressive products on the plastic of the case, nor should you ever place it in running water. Use damp cloths and cotton swabs, but never ones that are soaking wet.
- Clean room: always clean the surface on which you leave your remote control. Dust and micro-particles of dirt also fall there and can be transferred. It is important that not only the remote control is clean, but also the surface on which you usually leave it.
If you want to know how to clean other important appliances in the home, check out our guides on how to clean the oven and how to clean an electric kettle to learn more.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Clean Your TV Remote to Make It Look Like New, we recommend you visit our Home cleaning category.
