How to Clean and Sanitize Your Remote Controls
Common disinfectants will work, but use these tips to avoid damaging your TV remote
Keeping your remote controls clean and sanitized may not be something you think about very often. But remote controls for TVs, cable boxes, and media players get handled all the time, often with fingers and mitts that aren’t exactly sparkling clean. While it’s always a good idea to keep them clean, COVID-19 reminded us it’s also smart to give those devices a more thorough, disinfecting cleaning every once in a while.
That’s good advice for warding off colds, flu, and other illnesses, too, since some viruses can survive on surfaces for hours or even days. A number of methods are effective at killing them. But you need to take some care with these cleaners to avoid damaging your remote control.
Cleaning Products for Remotes
The CDC says most common disinfectants registered by the Environmental Protection Agency can be used to kill viral pathogens. To help you choose one, the American Chemistry Council’s Center for Biocide Chemistries compiled a list with dozens of EPA-approved options back in 2021. Those recommendations are still valid.
It includes Clorox cleaner and bleach products, Lysol disinfectants, Purell sanitizers, and Zep disinfectants and cleaners.
Wipe, Don't Spray
Before cleaning a remote control, remove the batteries. Then turn the device upside down so that the buttons are facing downward and shake it or tap it against your palm to dislodge any debris that might have fallen between the keys. If you have a compressed air canister, give the remote a blast to shake free any additional dirt.
Don’t spray any disinfecting solution directly onto—or into—the device. Use a wipe instead, or a paper towel or cloth moistened with the solution to gently clean the outer shell.
To clean harder-to-reach areas in and around the buttons, you can use a cotton swab dampened with the disinfecting solution. More stubborn debris lodged deeper into the keys can be dislodged with a dry toothbrush or a toothpick.
When you’re done cleaning the remote, let it air dry, suggests Brian Sansoni, head of communications at the American Cleaning Institute, a trade group that represents product manufacturers. Once the remote has been thoroughly cleaned and dried, you can reinstall the batteries. Then wash your hands and you—and your remote—will be good to go.
