20 Best Cleaning Supplies for Electronics
Perhaps you are inspired to give that beloved NES a deep clean, but you aren’t sure what it is going to take. Or maybe you are interested in trying your hand at video game console restoration, but you aren’t sure what you are going to need readily on hand as you dive into this new hobby. Or could it be that you want to know where to find that cool IPA dispenser you saw in a recent YouTube video? Whatever brings you here, I am excited to share my recommendations of products I personally use on a regular basis!
I will be breaking this list down into two categories. First, the items I most recommend that you will likely need to order or purchase at a specialty store. Second, the items that are either commonly found around the house, or can be purchased generally.
Also, I want to note that this is not meant to be a gatekeeping list compiled in the spirit of “you had better use these products or else you aren’t a real restoration person”. These are just the items I have found that I personally use, sitting where I currently do at roughly one hundred consoles/projects completed.
Top Must-Order Cleaning Supplies
This first category is completely filled with all of the need-to-order items I use on almost every restoration project I work on. You will probably need to order them online or buy them at a specialty store. For beginning to intermediate console restoration, this is where I would start building my collection of tools and supplies.
(While the Restorish YouTube channel is not affiliated with Amazon, Restorish is owned by TronicsFix LLC, a company which has an affiliation link relationship with Amazon. TronicsFix LLC benefits from purchases made through these links.)
iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit
You can’t deep clean a console without tools to first take it apart. This is my go-to toolkit. Occasionally I find myself in need of a tool not included in this kit, but not often. It contains most tools needed for most small electronic repair jobs, including a 64 precision bit driver set, tweezers, and a variety of opening tools. Plus it comes in a very clean, well organized, velcro-wrapped case.
- Buy the iFixit Pro Tech Toolkit (Amazon paid link)
Pink Hand-e Nitrile Gloves
Some people might question ranking gloves so high on this list. In all honesty, the biggest reason I recommend gloves is to protect your skin from being dehydrated by isopropyl alcohol during cleaning. I recommend pink because most consoles are neutral, boring colors, and that splash of color will brighten your day but you can also pick up more standard colors at a local store.
iFixit FixMat - Magnetic Electronic Repair Screws and Parts Organizer
Seriously, this thing is a lifesaver. Granted there are many other common things you can use. The lid that covers the bits and driver in the Pro Tech Toolkit has little divider sections for placing and keeping track of screws and small parts. But I can’t tell you how many times I have accidentally bumped it causing the entire contents to become randomized. An ice cube tray is an around-the-house option. But I still like this pad for its magnetic feature, and the ability to write notes directly on it with a dry-erase marker.
Silicone Workmat
Some people have a dedicated workspace for projects such as a garage, a shop, or a room in their house with a work surface that takes hobbying into account. But most people (like me) end up doing this sort of thing at home on kitchen tables. If this is you, I strongly recommend having a good way to protect the surface you are working on. My own work mat has an inch-long cut in it. I have no idea how it got there. Stuff happens.
There are a lot of silicone workmats out there and a lot of them will work just fine. Make sure it's decent quality and heat resistant and you're good to go but here's one I like if you're looking for a specific recommendation.
Electric Air Duster
Another game changer, and a relative latecomer to my personal arsenal. The ability to remove as much surface dust as possible before breaking out the cotton swabs, toothbrushes, and isopropyl alcohol is amazing. This little device has more than made up for its cost in a short period of time over canned air. And I’m saving the planet by not using aerosol! The brush tip attachment is doubly efficient when cleaning around small electronic components. I can’t imagine myself going back to the days of cleaning before owning my electric air duster.
Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)
Isopropyl alcohol is fast drying, safe on electronics, and good at cleaning. This is a must. You can find it at many local stores, as well as online. There are various percentages of IPA that you can get, typically ranging from 70% and up, but I use 99% IPA personally. Be aware that without gloves this can dry out your hands, so it’s a good idea to have gloves handy whenever you use it.
- Buy 1 Gallon Isopropyl Alcohol (Amazon paid link)
IPA Dispenser
This is easily the most commonly noted cleaning item I use in my videos; I have received numerous comments asking where I get my isopropyl alcohol dispenser. Here it is! If you plan to work with IPA frequently, this bottle is a must. As an added bonus, if you put a label on it that reads “IPA Alcohol” then everyone who sees it can laugh at you and say “Ha ha, you said ‘alcohol’ twice.”
- Buy Menda Dispensing Bottle (Amazon paid link)
BW-100
A contact cleaner such as BW-100 is an absolute must have for cleaning hard to reach electronics components like ports and moving parts like joysticks and buttons. Like IPA, BW-100 is fast evaporating and safe to use around electronics. This product is very useful for cleaning pretty much anything you can think of inside of consoles or controllers.
- Buy BW-100 Contact Cleaner (Amazon paid link)
More Advanced Cleaning Supplies
I think that just about covers it for my most frequently used and most highly recommended items that you might need to get online or from a specialty store. I will note however, that should you get more advanced than simple cleaning, a number of other products may be needed.
Here are some of those items that come to mind:
- Dental Picks
- Multimeter
- Soldering Station Setup
- Kapton Tape
- Thermal Paste
- Liquid Metal
- Double-Sided Adhesive Tape
- Lithium Grease
- IPA Syringe Bottle
- DeoxIT Cleaner
- iFixit Manta Driver Set
- iFixit Long Drivers
- Scratch Doctor
Top Around-the-House Cleaning Supplies
This second category is filled with items you might be able to find around the house. Or, if not, they are being sold at a number of local stores and easy to pick up when you're out for groceries.
Cotton Swabs
I have personally gone through a lot of cotton swabs. They are handy, readily available, and clean things quite well. But there are a few downsides to using them. First, they are a bit wasteful, and are one of the most disposable items used in my restoration videos. Second, they can leave behind fibers, especially when they snag on some jagged part of a circuit board.
I am presently in the process of phasing out cotton swabs almost entirely in favor of…
Makeup Brushes
A commenter on one of my videos recommended acquiring a makeup brush set as an alternative to cotton swabs. The first time I used makeup brushes for a Restorish video, I was blown away at how effective they are. They are washable and reusable. The only downside I have found so far is that they lack the scrubbing power of a cotton swab (because I want the brushes to last and not have to throw them away too often). I still occasionally use a cotton swab or two, but in general I see makeup brushes as being my go-to.
Microfiber Cloth
I use several microfiber cloths every week when filming videos. One of my favorite things about them is that they are reusable and I just toss them in the washing machine to get them clean again. They're super handy for cleaning and drying console cases. Plus you don’t have to keep throwing them away and buying new ones like you would using paper towels.
Glass Cleaner
I have found multiple great uses for glass cleaner. For one, this is what I typically use it to clean off my silicone mat. Second, I use it to clean the outside surfaces of my consoles, giving them that final polish after I am done cleaning them.
Plastic Containers/Washing Tub(s)
I use two different sizes of plastic containers for pretty much all of my projects. A smaller size for handhelds, and a larger size for consoles. These tubs are super useful for soaking plastic pieces in soapy, warm water when I’m cleaning them.
Dawn Dish Detergent
Any soap that is safe for plastics will work (pretty much any kind of soap, as far as I’m aware). I previously used a scent-free laundry detergent because I had it on hand. I switched to Dawn Dish Detergent one day because I was taken in by the clever marketing on the label of the bottle claiming “50% less scrubbing!” And I was like, “I want to scrub 50% less!” It seems to work well.
Paintbrush
Another comment suggestion that I have loved ever since trying is using paintbrushes to clean consoles. I used to do all of my soapy cleaning with a toothbrush. The paintbrush is effective and covers a larger surface area. It is the riding lawn mower of my cleaning collection. If the makeup brush kit you purchase comes with a larger brush, you may not need to add this.
Toothbrush
Toothbrushes are super useful for those places where the paintbrush won't reach, or for small buttons and other small pieces. I primarily use them when scrubbing parts in soapy water, but they can also be useful for cleaning parts that are dry as well.
Magic Eraser
I wrote an entire article about my experience with cleaning consoles with Magic Erasers, and times when I would or would not recommend using them. Please read that article if you are considering using this product. Magic Erasers can be effective at some things, but they also come with risks.
Needle-Nose pliers
The number one thing I use needle nose pliers for is pulling out some cable connectors and wanting to make sure that I am only pulling on the part I should be pulling on. They are very handy for disassembling consoles when using your fingers isn’t working and you need more precision.
Super Glue
There have been a handful of times while filming when I have found something cracked or broken (or broken something myself). Having super glue on hand can be very useful. And if you find it SO handy that you put it on your hands, the IPA you purchased should help clean that right up! Just be sure to wash up afterwards.
Hair Dryer
There are a number of other tools that can be used for loosening adhesives, namely for removing screens with the suction cups included in the iFixit Pro Tech Tool Kit. But I have found that a hair dryer works great, and it is commonly found around most houses. They can also be used to loosen sticker adhesive on console cases, etc.
Final Thoughts
There it is: my most recommended console deep cleaning supplies! I hope this is helpful. If you made it to the end of this article and are still reading, thanks! You are dedicated. Or are a completionist. Or you just like me. Either way, good on you!
Happy cleaning and restoring(ish)!
About the Authors
Robert Carlson is a content creator and video editor for Restorish and writer for TronicsFix who loves rejuvenating the items and spaces around him. In his free time you will find him playing games, reading, and spending time with his family.
Kirstyn Bahnmiller is a writer, graphic designer, and video editor for TronicsFix who loves to share her ideas and creativity with the world. In her off time you will find her working on various crafts, making digital art, taking photos, and cooking delicious recipes she found online.