How to Clean Remote Control

[Subtitles]

I have an annoying problem with some remote controls. Over time the plastic body seems to get a layer of dirt and becomes sticky when holding it in my hands. If anyone has/had such a problem and knows the solution how to clean it, I would be most grateful.

[cholla]

You need to dissemble the remote.
Then clean with isopropyl alcohol.
This way a cuetip can usually clean the hole the button goes through.
The top of the silicon button pad can usually use a cleaning also.
Unless you are having problems with the buttons working do not clean the bottom of the silicon pad.
These have a layer of carbon on them to make contact.
Sometimes cleaning them will remove the carbon & they will no longer work.

There are repair kits for the carbon pads.
The liquid I have tried for this did not work for long.
The kit I bought with little replacement pad dots works but I had to figure out a good method to glue them to the old pad.
They came with NO instructions.
I found a very small amount of clear automotive silicon works.
Just take a lot of care to NOT get it on the carbon of the dot.
I use a pair of tweezers & a toothpick to place the dot.
Then let it dry for about 8 hours.

[Subtitles]

@cholla sorry if my post wasn't clear enough.
The remote works perfectly it is the plastic body that gets this overlayer of dirt, especially at the bottom.
I believe this has to do with the kind of plastic used to manufacture the body of the remote.

[cholla]

@Subtitles,
My remotes also get this buildup around the holes the buttons come through.
If your remotes do not then you are lucky.
You might not realize this until you take a remote apart.
If you just want to clean the outside alcohol is still what to start with.
Just do not soak the remote with it.
Use a smooth cloth & rub the grime.
If this does not work then try household ammonia.
Carefully put it on the grime & let it set about 10 minutes.
I would use latex cleaning or dishwashing gloves when doing this.

My silver remotes show the grime worse but black remotes also do this.
My skin oil even eventually dissolves letters off the remote shell & the buttons if they have letters on them.
Nothing can be done about that.

[Alwyn]

@Subtitles, yes, I have got that on a few plastic/rubber things, including a portable GPS sensor (Dual GPS 150) and the rubber end of a USB powerbank. It feels awful to touch. It must be the gooey liquid leeching out of the rubber, which then attracts all the muck/dirt.

Basically, you have to rub it off. I use 99% isopropyl alcohol and a piece of T-shirt, rubbing hard. That will get the stickiness off.

[cholla]

@ Alwyn,
Close to the instructions I gave for the isopropyl achohol .
Here about the strongest is 90%.
I use 70% & it does OK.

The ammonia is just if the alcohol does not do the job.
It will dissolve the oil or fat.Then a little water & rubbing with a cloth will remove the oil & dirt.
& the ammonia but the smell will stay for a while.
If it is the breakdown of the soft plastic or rubber or even silicon then the cleaning helps but the "stickiness" will return.

[Subtitles]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions.
I had a go at the battery cover because it is easier to handle than the rest of the remote. It took me a while to get it cleaned with all kind of soap liquids, alcohol and rubbing it furiously. In the end I gave up on the rest of the remote and used a transparent plastic bag I use to wrap sandwiches so that I don't get that awful feeling touching it.
The remote will not be used again. I was only testing an old gadget and noticed how the remote has got this disgusting layer of dirt over it's back.

[cholla]

Sorry nothing worked.
I guess the plastic just broke down over time.
I have used ammonia to soak off stubborn oven grease & other stains on my cook stove.
It usually removes those so should remove "skin oil" from a remote.
You can also try a paste made of baking soda & hydrogen peroxide.
If you decide to try again.
Either one needs to set a while to do the cleaning.