A SIMPLE GUIDE TO CLEANING AND SANITIZING YOUR REMOTE CONTROL

Remote controls are migratory electronics - they tend to travel from the coffee table to the bed to the deep, unknown space between cushions…even to more incomprehensible places (anyone else ever accidentally leave a remote in the fridge?).

They are also handled on a near-daily basis, and not all hands are sparkly clean. Then when you factor in sneezes and coughs and crumbs…well, it’s a good idea to thoroughly clean and sanitize your remote control once in a while. But how do you clean a remote without damaging it? After all, some disinfectant sprays can be harmful when applied to electronics and too much liquid directly on a remote will cause it to stop working.

That’s why we’ve created this simple, step-by-step guide to cleaning and sanitizing your remote control like a pro!

MATERIALS TO GATHER

There are a few things that you’ll need to do a thorough cleaning of your remote control, but don’t worry! Most, if not all, of these materials you can find already in your home.

• Water
• Soap (any dish soap is fine; we use Dawn)
• Microfiber cloths
• Cotton swabs
• Toothpicks
• Isopropyl alcohol or sanitizing wipes
• Toothbrush (optional)
• Compressed air canister (optional)

STEP 1: REMOVE THE BATTERIES

The first step is easy - removing the batteries. For most remote controls, you just pop or slide off the panel on the back and remove the batteries; place the panel back on once you’re done. If your remote is one that has a charging base instead of batteries, take it off the base. If the base is dirty, you can follow the same steps to clean the base as you do the remote - just be sure to unplug it first and don’t get liquid where the base connects with the control.

STEP 2: CLEAN THE BODY OF THE REMOTE

Once the batteries are removed, turn the remote control upside down and gently tap the back of it to dislodge any crumbs. Next, use a toothpick to loosen and remove the stubborn debris still in the crevices around the buttons. If you have a compressed air canister, you can then blast the remote to dislodge the debris. 

After that, gently wipe down the remote using a mixture of soap and warm water. Don’t use too much soap in the mixture - just a couple small drops in a bowl is enough. Then dip your soft, lint-free microfiber cloth into the mixture and squeeze out any excess water. Wipe down the entire remote, taking care to rub any spots that are particularly grubby.

If you have an extra toothbrush, dampen the toothbrush and use that to tackle the grime on and around the buttons. Electronic toothbrushes are particularly helpful for cleaning the buttons, and fast! If you don’t have a spare toothbrush or toothbrush head, you can use a cotton swab dampened in the soap and water mixture instead.

Once you’re finished, let your remote control air dry.

STEP 3: SANITIZE THE REMOTE

Every few months, you’ll want to thoroughly sanitize the remote as well. You can do this step after you clean it. To sanitize, you’ll want a disinfecting solution or sanitizing wipes. You can use a variety of disinfectants: Clorox cleaners, Lysol disinfectants, Purell sanitizers, and Zep disinfectants. If you use bleach, mix 4 teaspoons of bleach into a quart of water. If you use vinegar, use one part vinegar to two parts water. If you use alcohol, the solution should be at least 70% isopropyl alcohol.

If you’re using sanitizing wipes, wring out any excess liquid, then wipe down the remote. If you’re using a disinfecting solution, spray it onto a microfiber cloth or dip the cloth into the solution, then wring out any excess. Never spray liquid directly onto the remote!

Completely wipe down the remote’s surfaces. You can also use a cotton swab moistened by the solution to wipe down each button. Keep in mind that excess alcohol on a frequent basis can gradually wear down rubber, so don’t overuse it. Then once you’re finished sanitizing your remote, take a lint-free cloth and dampen it with water only. Use this cloth to give your remote a final wipe down; this will help prevent damage and discoloration.

Once you’re finished, let your remote control air dry.

Pro Tip: When using stronger disinfectants, like bleach and rubbing alcohol, be sure to wear disposable gloves and keep the room well-ventilated.

IN SUMMARY

As they’re handled all the time, remote controls are a harbor for crumbs, gunk, and germs. Keeping your remote control clean is not only important for keeping it in good working order, it’s also a great way to ward off colds and the flu. So we hope that this guide will help you feel confident the next time you want to give your remote control a thorough cleaning!

And if you’re looking to replace a lost or broken remote control, we’ve got you covered! We have thousands of original factory remotes available for everything from televisions to VCRs to receivers. You can check out our wide selection here.

Thanks for reading! Have a great day.

https://spencertified.com/collections/remote-controls