How to clean the TV remote control yourself?

By keeping the remote control clean, it is possible not only to extend its life, but also to prevent a variety of problems. The remote control is cleaned according to certain rules that allow you to complete the task without causing harm to the device.

Why clean the remote control?

By periodically cleaning the remote control from household dirt, you not only prevent it from breaking, but also comply with safety requirements.
Why you need to clean the remote:

• Harm to health. The remote control is picked up every day by almost all household members. Sweat marks remain on its surface. Dust pollution, pet hair, etc. accumulate inside the remote control. The remote control becomes a collection of bacteria and other infections. It multiplies inside and on the body of the device, posing a threat to the health of users. A dirty remote control is especially dangerous for young children who like to put everything in their mouths.
• Breaking. Bacterial microflora, penetrating inside the case and damaging the contacts.
• Deterioration in performance. Due to dust, the connecting channels do not work well, the buttons stick, and the signal to the TV does not pass well.
• risk of total breakdown. The remote control, which does not know cleaning, breaks down ahead of the time allotted to it by the developers.

It is important to replace the batteries in the remote control in time, otherwise they will leak out, polluting the interior of the remote control. Then cleaning the device will take a lot of time and effort.

How to quickly clean the case from dirt and grease?

Express cleaning of the remote control is carried out without disassembling the case. This procedure is carried out weekly or more often – depending on the intensity of use of the device. The remote control can be cleaned:

• toothpicks;
• cotton swabs;
• microfiber cloths;
• cotton pads;
• toothbrush.

As a cleaning solution, use vinegar, citric acid, soap, or other handy tools.

Be sure to unplug the TV before cleaning the remote control. After cleaning the device of dirt, including those that have penetrated into the cracks, wipe it with a microfiber cloth.

Choosing an outdoor cleaner

Before you start cleaning, choose the right composition, avoiding prohibited products. There are many options, but alcohol-containing liquids are considered the best. Preference is given to the strongest compositions. Alcohol is also present in perfumery and cosmetic formulations, but undesirable oil impurities are usually used here. The most reliable option is to look into the radio department and purchase contact cleaning fluid there.

To clean the surface of the buttons, products with abrasive particles and compounds with acids are used. For cleaning, a regular toothbrush will do.

wet wipes

Only special wipes can be used to clean the consoles. Their impregnation contains substances that wash off dirt well without causing any harm to electronics.

alcohol

For cleaning, you can use any alcohol-containing product – technical and medical alcohol, vodka, cologne, cognac, etc. They not only clean the surface of the remote control, but also eliminate grease and germs. How to properly clean the remote:

1. Soak a cotton pad with alcohol.
2. Wipe the body of the remote control, especially carefully treating the joints and cracks.
3. Soak a cotton swab in alcohol and clean the area around the buttons.

Vinegar

This liquid is in almost every home, which means that you can clean the remote control at any time. Vinegar, dissolving grease and dust, quickly cleans surfaces. The disadvantage of this tool is an unpleasant specific smell. How to clean the remote control with 9% vinegar:

1. Moisten with cotton wool.
2. Wipe down the remote and buttons.

soap solution

For surface cleaning of the remote control, a solution of soap is suitable. But in its composition there is water, and it is impossible for it to get inside the case. This is an undesirable option. How to clean the remote control with soapy water:

1. Grate laundry soap on a coarse grater.
2. Mix thoroughly in 500 ml of warm water.
3. Soak a cotton wool / cloth in the resulting liquid.
4. Clean the body of the remote control from dirt.
5. Treat the cracks with a cotton swab.
6. Finish cleaning with a dry, absorbent cloth.

citric acid

Citric acid is often used to clean appliances, dishes, various surfaces. The acid solution is caustic, but not able to harm the body of the remote control. It is important that the aqueous solution does not get inside the device. Cleaning order:

1. Dissolve 1 tablespoon of powder in 200 ml of water heated to +40 … +50 ° С.
2. Mix thoroughly and soak a cotton pad in it.
3. Clean the body of the remote control with a moistened disc, and process the buttons with cotton swabs.

Internal cleaning

Comprehensive cleaning of the device – inside and out, is recommended every 3-4 months, maximum – six months. Regular cleaning allows you to see the damage to the remote control in time, it prevents breakdowns, eliminates bacteria and dust inside the case.

Remote control disassembly

To clean the remote control completely, it is necessary to separate the body panels from each other. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the board, buttons, and other parts of the remote control. Before disassembling, regardless of the type of remote control, you need to open the battery compartment and remove them.
How to disassemble the remote:

• With bolts. Leading TV manufacturers, such as Samsung or LG, fasten the parts of the remote control case with miniature bolts. To disassemble such a device, it is necessary to unscrew the bolts with a suitable screwdriver, and only after that it will be possible to open the remote control. Usually the bolts are hidden in the battery compartment.
• With snaps. Manufacturers make more modest remote controls, in which the body panels are fixed with plastic latches. To separate the body parts, it is necessary, after pressing the latches with a screwdriver, to pull them in different directions.

Regardless of the option of fastening the body parts, after disassembling the remote control, remove the board and the matrix with buttons.

Choosing an interior cleaner

Do not rush to clean the inside of the console with the same products as the outside – most solutions used for express cleaning are not suitable for internal cleaning. It is forbidden to clean the remote control:

• citric acid;
• diluted soap;
• aggressive means;
• wet wipes;
• cologne;
• spirits.

All of the above products contain either water or impurities that contribute to the oxidation of contacts and the formation of stubborn plaque.

The following products are recommended for internal cleaning:

• Alcohol. Suitable for any – medical or technical. You can, in particular, use ethyl alcohol – it is allowed to use it on any boards, on all internal surfaces and parts of the device. It eliminates grease, dust, tea, dried soda, etc.
• Parity. This is a special kit for cleaning the remote control, which is equipped with a specialized spray and a microfiber cloth. The cleaner does not contain water, but there are substances that quickly dissolve grease. With this kit, you can clean computer equipment – keyboards, mice, monitors.
• Deluxe Digital set clean . Another set for cleaning computer equipment. Its principle of operation is no different from the previous one.
• WD-40 Specialist.  One of the best cleaners. In addition to dirt and grease, it is able to dissolve even solder residues. This composition increases the reliability of electrical circuits and their life. The release form is a bottle with a thin and convenient tip that allows you to spray liquid in the most inaccessible places. After applying this product, the treated surfaces do not need to be wiped with a dry cloth – the composition evaporates very quickly without harming the equipment.

After the remote is opened, start cleaning the inside of the device. The work consists of several successive stages, each of which requires accuracy and compliance with certain rules.

Cleaning the board and battery compartment

Cleaning the inside of the console, especially the board, requires extreme care. One rough or wrong move is enough to damage the device. How to clean the board:

1. Apply a little cleaning compound to the board – using a cotton swab or spray.
2. Wait 10 seconds for the product to work. Lightly wipe the board – use a cotton pad or a microfiber cloth for this purpose, if it comes with a cleaning compound.
3. If the effect obtained is not enough, repeat the manipulations.
4. Clean the board from the remaining cotton wool, if any.
5. Wait until the board is completely dry before assembling the remote control.

In approximately the same order, the battery compartment is cleaned. Pay special attention to the places where batteries interface with metal parts. There is no need to wipe the board and the battery compartment – cleaning agents evaporate in a couple of minutes.

Remote control assembly

When all the parts and parts of the remote control are dry, proceed with the assembly. It is recommended to wait 5 minutes – during this time all cleaning agents will completely evaporate. How to assemble the remote:

1. Replace the key matrix in its original position so that all the keys fit exactly into the holes. Attach the plug-in boards to the bottom of the case panel.
2. Connect with each other panels – top with bottom.
3. If the body parts are mated with bolts, tighten them; if with latches, return them to their original state by snapping them until they click.
4. Put the batteries into the battery compartment.
5. Check the remote control for functionality.

If a malfunction is detected, try changing the batteries – they may have exhausted their resource. Check the condition of the contacts, as the cause of the malfunction may be in them. If the cleaning agent on the contacts has not completely evaporated, the remote control will not be able to function.

Button cleaning

Due to the constant contact with fingers and endless pressing, the buttons get dirty more intensively than other parts of the remote control. Clean them a couple of times a month, at least. If the buttons with a matrix can be removed from the case, they are easy to clean using the following tools:

• first wipe with soapy water, and then rinse with clean water;
• treat with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol or an alcohol-containing liquid;
• vinegar or citric acid diluted in water – avoiding long contact.

When finished cleaning, wipe the buttons with a dry cloth and lay to dry.

vodka

Vodka can be replaced with any product that contains alcohol. Alcohol-containing compounds dissolve fat deposits more efficiently than others, and in addition, they have a disinfecting effect. After spraying the buttons with alcohol, wait a couple of minutes, and then wipe them with dry wipes. The remaining liquid evaporates by itself, it is not necessary to rinse the buttons with water.

soap solution

To prepare a cleaning soap solution, take ordinary soap – baby or toilet. How to clean buttons with soap:

1. Rub the soap on a fine grater and dilute in warm water. For a quarter of the bar, take 400 ml of water.
2. Pour the resulting mixture into a spray bottle and spray the buttons with it.
3. Wait 20 minutes, and then wipe the buttons with a sponge or cloth, then rinse them thoroughly with water.

Citric acid solution

The buttons are perfectly cleaned with ordinary citric acid, but it acts much more aggressively on rubber and silicone parts. That is why the effect of the solution should be short. How to clean buttons with citric acid:

1. Mix the powder with warm water 1:1.
2. Wipe the buttons with the resulting solution.
3. After 2 minutes, rinse the composition with water and wipe the buttons with a dry cloth.

Table vinegar 9%

It is recommended to clean the buttons with vinegar if there are traces of grease. It is used undiluted – moistened with a cotton pad, which gently wipe each button. After cleaning, you do not need to use a dry cloth – the vinegar will evaporate on its own in 2 minutes.

What can not be done?

It is easy to damage the remote control if you use tools that are not allowed to be used. They can not only harm the device, but also ruin it. What is forbidden to clean the remote control:

• Water and all means based on it. Their contact with the board is unacceptable. Water oxidizes the contacts, and when it dries, it forms a coating.
• Gels and pastes for washing dishes. They contain surface-active substances (surfactants) and acids, which lead to the oxidation of contacts.
• Household chemicals. Rust or grease removers must not be used even diluted. They can not be used not only for internal, but also for external cleansing.
• Wet and cosmetic wipes. They are saturated with water and fat. Contact of these substances with the board is not allowed.

What to do in case of moisture?

One of the most common causes of remote control failure is the ingress of various liquids on them. That is why it is recommended to keep this device away from water sources and not to place it near cups with drinks. They solve the problem taking into account the properties of the liquid that filled the console.

Sweet drinks

If the ingress of water occurs for the remote control is almost “painless” and does not require special measures, except for drying, then with sweet drinks everything is more difficult. The cause of trouble when ingested with soda and other sweet liquids is sugar. After they get on the remote control, you need to thoroughly rinse it with water, including the board. Then the remote control is wiped and dried for several days.

plain water

During the initial contact, water almost does not harm the device – the remote control continues to work. But you can’t ignore the ingress of moisture on the device – you need to disassemble it and dry it, leaving it for 24 hours in a dry place.

If water gets on the remote control, you need to remove the batteries from the compartment as soon as possible – they can oxidize when in contact with water.

Tea or coffee

If there is sugar in the composition of tea or coffee, then the actions to drain the remote control are the same as when sugary drinks are ingested. Sugar interferes with normal signal transmission, so it must be washed off with water.

battery electrolyte

An electrolyte is an electrically conductive substance found inside batteries. If the batteries are old or of poor quality, electrolyte leakage may occur. It must be cleaned with running water, then wiped with a cloth and dried for several days.

Preventive measures

The remote control, no matter how you treat it, will still get dirty. But if you follow a number of rules, the risk of breakdowns will be minimized. How to prevent dirt and damage to the remote control:

• do not pick up the remote control if they are wet or dirty;
• keep the remote control away from water containers;
• do not leave the remote control in places accessible to children and pets;
• do not use the remote control as a “toy”, do not throw it up, drop it or throw it;
• regularly clean the external and internal cleaning of the console, observing all the rules and requirements.

Case

Protect the remote control from damage, dirt, water ingress, shock and other troubles, helps cover. Today in stores you can find products for a variety of remote controls. The cover slows down pollution, but does not completely prevent it. The only thing it protects 100% from is water and other liquids. The case, like the remote, also requires some care.

Shrink bag

Such protection is considered more effective, as it reliably protects the remote control from water, dust, grease, and other contaminants. The film, when heated, tightly sticks around the body of the device, excluding the penetration of pollutants into it. How to use the shrink bag:

1. Put the remote in the bag and level it.
2. Heat the film so that it adheres tightly to the case.
3. Wait for the shrink bag to cool completely. Once it cools down, you can use the remote control.

Shrink bags are disposable. They are not cleaned, but replaced – they are torn apart and a new package is put on the remote control.

Helpful Hints

Recommendations from experts will help increase the life of the remote control. If you follow them, the device will serve for a long time and without breakdowns. Remote control operation tips:

• always put the remote control in one place, do not throw it anywhere;
• use only high quality batteries from a trusted manufacturer;
• replace batteries in time, do not use old and new batteries in the same compartment;
• use protective gear.

Often, users do not consider the remote control as a technique that requires any care on their part. In fact, it needs a careful attitude, and its regular cleaning – internal and external, will ensure its long and trouble-free operation.