How to clean the TV remote yourself?

Keeping the remote control clean not only extends its useful life, but also prevents a wide 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?

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

• Harm to health. Almost all household members pick up the remote control every day. Sweat traces remain on its surface. Dust contamination, 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 pull everything into the mouth.
• 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, the signal to the TV does not pass well.
• Risk of complete breakdown. The remote control, unaware of cleaning, breaks down ahead of the deadline given to it by the developers.

It is important to replace the batteries in the remote control on time, otherwise they will leak out, contaminating 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 control panel 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 napkins;
• cotton pads;
• toothbrush.

Use vinegar, citric acid, soap, or any other available cleaning solution.

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

Choosing a product for external cleaning

Before proceeding with cleaning, select the appropriate composition, avoiding prohibited agents. There are many options, but alcohol-containing liquids are considered the best. The strongest formulations are preferred. There is also alcohol in perfumery and cosmetic formulations, but unwanted oil impurities are usually used here. The most reliable option is to look into the department with radio goods and purchase liquid for cleaning contacts there.

To clean the surface of the buttons, agents with abrasive particles and compositions with acids are used. A regular toothbrush will work for cleaning.

Wet wipes

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

With alcohol

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

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

Vinegar

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

1. Dampen cotton wool with the product.
2. Wipe down the remote control and buttons.

Soap solution

A soap solution is suitable for surface cleaning of the remote control. But it contains water, and it cannot get inside the case. This is not a desirable option. How to clean the remote control with soapy water:

1. Rub the laundry soap on a coarse grater.
2. Stir 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 for cleaning appliances, dishes, and various surfaces. The acid solution is corrosive, but will not damage the console body. It is important that the aqueous solution does not get inside the device. Cleaning procedure:

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

Internal cleaning

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

Disassembling the remote

To clean the remote control completely, you need 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 compartment with the batteries and remove them.
How to disassemble the remote control:

• With bolts . Leading TV manufacturers such as Samsung or LG use miniature bolts to secure the remote control body parts. 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 latches. Manufacturers more modestly make remote controls, in which the body panels are fixed by means of plastic latches. To separate the parts of the case, it is necessary, by 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 a product for internal cleaning

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

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

All of the above products contain either water or impurities that contribute to the oxidation of contacts and the formation of a difficult-to-remove plaque.

The following agents are recommended for internal cleaning:

• Alcohol. Anyone will do – 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 removes grease, dust, tea, dried soda, etc.
• Parity. This is a special set 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 dissolve grease quickly. This kit can be used to clean computer equipment – keyboard, mouse, monitors.
• Delux 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 cleaning products. In addition to dirt and grease, it is capable of dissolving even solder residues. This composition increases the reliability of electrical boards and their service life. The form of release is a balloon with a thin and convenient tip that allows you to spray liquid in the most inaccessible places. After using this product, the treated surfaces do not need to be wiped with a dry cloth – the composition evaporates very quickly without harming the technique.

After the remote is open, start cleaning the inside of the device. The work consists of several sequential stages, each of which requires accuracy and adherence to certain rules.

Cleaning the board and battery compartment

Cleaning the interior of the console, especially the board, requires the utmost care. One rough or wrong movement is enough to damage the device. How to clean the board:

1. Apply some cleaning compound to the board – using a cotton swab or spray.
2. Wait 10 seconds for the remedy to take effect. Wipe the board lightly – use a cotton pad or microfiber cloth if included with the cleaning compound.
3. If the obtained effect is not enough, repeat the above manipulations.
4. Clean the board from the remnants of cotton wool, if any.
5. Wait until the board is completely dry before reassembling the remote control.

The procedure for cleaning the battery compartment is similar. Pay particular attention to the places where batteries and metal parts are mated. There is no need to wipe the board and battery compartment – cleaning agents evaporate in a couple of minutes.

Assembling the remote

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 control:

1. Replace the button array so that all keys line up exactly with the holes. Attach the plug-in boards to the lower part of the casing panel.
2. Connect to each other panel – top to bottom.
3. If the parts of the body are mated with bolts, tighten them, if with latches, return them to their original state, snapping them into place.
4. Place the batteries in the battery compartment.
5. Check the remote control for functionality.

If a malfunction is found, try replacing the batteries – they may have worn out. 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.

Clearing buttons

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

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

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

Vodka

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

Soap solution

To prepare a cleaning soap solution, use regular baby or toilet soap. How to clean buttons with soap:

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

Citric acid solution

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

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

Table vinegar 9%

It is recommended to clean 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 by itself in 2 minutes.

What cannot be done?

The remote control can be easily damaged by using means that are unacceptable. They can not only harm the device, but also spoil it. What is prohibited 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 dry, forms a plaque.
• Dishwashing gels and pastes. They contain surfactants (surfactants) and acids, which lead to the oxidation of contacts.
• Household chemicals. Do not use rust or grease removers, even if diluted. They cannot be used not only for internal, but also for external cleansing.
• Wet and cosmetic wipes. They are saturated with water and a fatty component. Contact of these substances with the board is unacceptable.

What to do if moisture gets in?

One of the most common reasons for remote control breakdowns is the ingress of various liquids on them. That is why it is recommended to keep this device away from sources of water and do not place it near cups of drinks. Solve the problem taking into account the properties of the liquid that flooded the console.

Sweet drinks

If water ingress is practically “painless” for the remote control and does not require special measures, except for drying, then with sugary drinks it is more and more difficult. Soda and other sugary liquids get in trouble because of 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

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

If water gets on the remote control, remove the batteries from the compartment as soon as possible – they may oxidize on contact with water.

Tea or coffee

If the tea or coffee contains sugar, then the actions for draining the remote control are the same as for sugary drinks. Sugar interferes with normal signal transmission, so it must be washed off with water.

Battery electrolyte

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 removed with running water, then wiped with a cloth and dried for several days.

Preventive measures

The remote control, no matter how you handle it, will get dirty anyway. 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 handle the remote control if it is wet or dirty;
• keep the remote control away from water containers;
• do not drop the remote control in places accessible to children and pets;
• do not use the remote control as a “toy”, do not toss it, drop it or throw it;
• regularly clean the outside and inside of the console, observing all rules and regulations.

Case

The cover helps to protect the remote control from damage, dirt, water ingress, shock and other troubles. Today in stores you can find products for a variety of consoles. The cover slows down contamination, but does not completely prevent it. The only thing it protects against 100% is water and other liquids. The cover, like the remote control, 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 to the body of the device, excluding the penetration of pollutants into it. How to use the shrink bag:

1. Place the remote in a bag and flatten it.
2. Heat the film so that it adheres firmly to the body.
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 tear them apart and put a new bag on the remote control.

Useful Tips

The recommendations of experts will help to increase the service life of the remote control. If you follow them, the device will serve for a long time and without breakdowns. Tips for using the remote control:

• always put the remote control in one place, do not drop 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 equipment.

Often, users do not consider the remote control to be a technique requiring any maintenance on their part. In fact, it needs careful treatment, and its regular cleaning, both internal and external, will ensure its long and problem-free operation.