what to know
- First, for safety reasons, please remove the batteries from the remote control.
- If possible, use a cloth and some isopropyl alcohol, although soap and water will also work in a pinch.
- Wipe gently until clean, then reinsert the battery.
This article explains how to safely clean your TV remote. However, the following steps also work for remotes connected to other devices.
Make sure you have a cloth and some isopropyl alcohol handy. However, soap and warm water will also work.
However, you need to be extra careful with water around electronics, and make sure you power off your remote completely before cleaning and dry it completely before powering it back on.
First, turn off the TV and remove the batteries from the remote control (if the remote uses batteries).
Dampen a cloth with some isopropyl alcohol or soap and warm water. A microfiber cloth is best, but anything will do.
While alcohol may be more effective, you can use soap and water. If you do this, use as little water as possible and make sure the remote is completely dry before replacing the batteries and using the remote.
Wipe the remote control. Once the battery is out, don't worry about scrubbing too gently, but don't scrub too hard either.
Just be sure to pay extra attention to any sticky buttons and be generous with the isopropyl alcohol.
If you cannot remove the battery from your remote, be sure to carefully clean it with water. If water gets into such a remote control, there is a risk of damaging the device.
Dry the remote control. A dry cloth (or part of the dry cloth used above) works well, but compressed air is an effective way to dry electronics if you have it.
If you're dealing with sticky buttons, compressed air is a great way to remove water or alcohol that has gotten into deep crevices. The alcohol will evaporate quickly on its own, but it's best to evaporate completely.
After the remote control is completely dry, reinsert the batteries.
The biggest thing to avoid with a remote is anything greasy or sugary. Touching the remote after eating may make it greasy or cause the buttons to stick.
Of course, the best thing to do is not use the remote control while eating, and make sure you wash your hands before touching it.
However, since many of today's TVs have smart features and you can often control them using your smartphone, it's smart to use your phone to pause whatever you're watching while you eat, as phones are easier to clean than remote controls.
For example, unlike a computer or keyboard, there's no specific schedule for how often a remote needs cleaning. If you're careful, a quick wipe of your shirt may be all you need. If you notice any buttons are starting to stick or feel gross to hold, that means it's time to clean them.
