Comments on: How to Clean a Remote Control

By: Bryon

Bryon — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 04:27:25 +0000

I tried the rubbing alcohol on both the circuit board and the rubber keys… and they are more responsive except the principle one I needed… the ON/OFF button. Oh, well, I’ll give it a while longer and perhaps try it again. Other than that, Wally World – Here I come!!!

By: Loose Shoes

Loose Shoes — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 02:07:34 +0000

Wow. The principal article is almost entirely bad advice. The underside of the “keys” on the rubber keypad and the trace wires on the circuit board are coated with conductive paint. When the button is pressed the underside of the button shorts out the traces under it, activating the switch and changing the channel, etc. Scrubbing will remove the conductive paint.

Dan Jones has it right. Soak the circuit board for a few minutes in warm water with a little detergent in it. Very gently and briefly rub the top of the board with your thumb or a soft cloth to clean the contact traces. You can do the same with the keypad. You can use a toothbrush on the TOP side of the keypad only. Rinse and dry thoroughly before reassembling.

By: Snead

Snead — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 03:21:06 +0000

I don’t do it often so the remotes get pretty grimy, but a couple of times a year I sit down with a fist full of Q-tips and a bottle of rubbing alcohol and detail the remotes. I don’t take them apart, though. Works on calculators, telephones, and keyboards, too.

By: Off Point

Off Point — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 05:01:47 +0000

Great advise for the future, BUT, I have an older remote to a perfectly working TV and the number “8″ and the “volume down” are very unresponsive. I have adjusted but it’s rather crap. Can we clean them? Do we buy new universals?

By: Peterfield

Peterfield — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 09:32:56 +0000

I was given a very good tip from some Thai friends, from new, they cover the remotes with cling film, not that pretty but it does the trick.

best of luck!

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 02:15:47 +0000

I have put my keyboard in the tub three times now and soaked it for an hour each time. I hang it to dry for three days. It’s still working great!

By: Dan

Dan — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:24:13 +0000

There are few things in this world that water will harm. Wood, fabric and paper are the only things I can think of at this time. Electronic circuit boards and components are washed in Deionized water and Isopropyl alcohol during the manufacturing process in controlled temperature washing machines. I cleaned Satellites, the Space Station and Shuttle hardware with Mr. Clean Original and deionized water. Contrary to what people are saying, water will not damage cell phones if all the water is removed before turning on the power. The key to cleaning appliances with water is to use deionized water mixed with Mr. Clean and a camels hair brush. Rinse well with deionized water and isopropyl alcohol mix and dry thoroughly. Never apply power when anything is wet. Wiping a remote control with sterile wipes will removed bacteria that can cause concern for families and travelers.

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 19:19:09 +0000

I cover mine with plastic also, sure saves time cleaning, slide the new *sandwich* bag over and tape together on bhe back. Sometimes it takes two bags, improvise.

By: Bob

Bob — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:59:05 +0000

Occasionally your remote or other electronic items, e.g. keyboard, mouse, etc. can get wet either through spills or it falls into water, I suggest, as soon as possible, (1) rinse in/with distilled water to remove any disolved conductive film/salts and then flush with alcohol to remove the water. Do not soak. Rinse/flush quickly to prevent the circuit board from absorbing water. Then blow dry with a hair dryer set to low heat or air dry. Keep touching the item with your hand. If it gets too hot for comfort, STOP. This process may save an item that you might otherwise lose.

By: HoneyGal

HoneyGal — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:50:46 +0000

I use those little disinfecting handy wipes made by Clorox every once in a while. Work good and no muss no fuss.

By: Mary

Mary — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 16:03:45 +0000

I use the flimsy plastic bags that the daily newspaper arrives in. The excess is tied in a knot. Makes it easy to find when it slides between the cushions. I am able to replace it frequently.

Works for me!

By: Fort Lauderdale Bill

Fort Lauderdale Bill — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 01:27:48 +0000

I put my remote control’s in zip lock bags and they all look new regardless of how old they are. Not as unsightly as plastic wrap. I have radio frequency remote controls that I take to the pool and water does not harm them. I also take the Ziploc bags when I travel to put the dirty remotes in the hotel rooms so I have no contact with previous guests germs. Same with a hospital stay.

By: Misemono

Misemono — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 20:23:04 +0000

My cousin has always just left the plastic wrap that the remote came with on it to keep it in good condition, works well and you don’t even have to do any work!

By: Ro

Ro — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 07:12:15 +0000

We are becoming too germaphobic. I don’t think anyone has to constantly clean the remote unless you really get it sticky. I have a small caddy that sits on the coffee table and we put the remotes in there — keeps them off the tables so not always touched or spilled on. As for our hands touching them, I would hope we wash our hands frequently when we get dirty and not have to worry about everything we touch. I just wipe the remote with a cloth when I clean and that is that.

By: Pascal

Pascal — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 02:29:23 +0000

How to keep your remotes clean:

Wrap them in plastic wrap, it does the trick. Doesn´t look very pretty, but it prevents remotes from getting sticky and grimy. especially if you have kids, or let them sit around the coffee table on a football night.