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[Golgo 13]

Controllers get dirty, greasy, and sweaty -- it's just a fact of life. What do you guys/gals do to keep them clean? I've used Clorox wipes (and they work) but I have a feeling those chemicals can't be good for longevity. Baby wipes work too, but they aren't great.

Please no smart ass replies like "Don't get them dirty!" Or "wash your hands!". Looking for good, specific solutions here.

Or do you just keep them dirty and say fuck it?

 

[SocksAndShoes]

Q-Tips and 90% alcohol.

Seriously though, wash your damn hands. It helps a lot.

 

[Ray Wonder]

Same as you OP

 

[HORRORSHØW]

yup use the wipes

 

[FunBoy]

With cheeto dust.

 

[VeryGooster]

Clorox wipes or isopropyl alcohol with cotton swabs.

I already compulsively wash my hands which is an issue probably but I can't for the life of me stand dried sweat on my phone or any controller. ugh

 

[Trouble]

Like a cat.

 

[Hunter S.]

I buy a new controller every week.

 

[panama chief]

Inside of my tshirt

 

[djshauny]

 

[Falchion]

Dirty controller crew checking in. The way I could tell my white 360 controller apart from my roommates' was the weird dirt pattern on the left side and the middle. It's still there and has been for years.

 

[Nestunt]

Q-Tips and 90% alcohol.

This. Started with the alcohol (no pun intended) recently and it really helps a lot. Specially in older controllers that you want to revive for a session

 

[Darth Karja]

I wipe mine off with a microfiber cloth.

 

[inner-G]

If it gets too grungy or if you spill pizza on it, just trade it in to Gamestop

 

[Vex_]

I laughed out loud on this one. It is like he is using the controller as a plate for his Cheetos lmmaaaaaoo.

Also, he has like no thumbnail wtf????

On topic: I use a toothpick to get out the build up in the side of the controller where the two parts meet (overlap).

 

[Dunkley]

All this energy wasted on Doom 4 while the real violence in video games is whoever took this photo.

 

[gruenel]

Damp cloth + old toothbrush.

 

[Heavy's Sandvich]

toothbrush and baby wipes.

 

[lyrick]

Q-Tips and Alcohol for most of the shell with Toothpicks for seams and screw divots.

 

[CaptainSlow]

I take the battery out so I don't turn the system on or off, spray a little of the Windex multi-surface cleaner on a microfiber towel and wipe it not too hard, but enough to get the dirt off.

 

[Cryxo93]

I blow.

Spoiler

Giggity!

 

[The Handsome Llama]

A little bit of spit and rub it off with my elbow.

Spoiler

No one else uses it anyways

 

[Dr. Black Jack]

Dirty controller crew checking in. The way I could tell my white 360 controller apart from my roommates' was the weird dirt pattern on the left side and the middle. It's still there and has been for years.

uuuuugggggghhhhhhh

I use a combination of things, but daily upkeep is using Sprayway window cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Gets the controller clean and smells great to boot.

 

[Dufase19089]

 

[RandomSeed]

I use those Lysol wipes. That or my dirty underwear, whatever is closest.

 

[RealityPales]

I don't think I've ever cleaned a controller. And I used the same DualShock 3 for about 6 years.

 

[SalvaPot]

With my tears.

 

[Dr. Black Jack]

UUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHHH

 

[sixteen-bit]

disassemble and clean everything thougroughly

 

[Freedom = $1.05]

i usually just wipe the urine on my shirt when i notice my hands smell too much

thats about it really

 

[etta]

Isopropyl alcohol.

 

[Bluenoser]

Q-Tips and 90% alcohol.

Seriously though, wash your damn hands. It helps a lot.

I always wash my hands before a gaming session, but my hands get sweaty while playing, and I can't imagine I'm the only one. Short of getting up and washing my hands several times during my gaming session, sweat is gonna get on the controller, and eventually make it feel a bit sticky. Once it does, you need to wash it off. I have a small hand towel that I keep close by, and wipe off the controllers each time I put them to charge, but I'm thinking baby wipes might help get them -clean- where a towel can't.

 

[Dr. Black Jack]

I use those Lysol wipes. That or my dirty underwear, whatever is closest.

 

[Mihos]

I just keep a big drawer of new controllers and throw the old ones into the water supply after every session

 

[abstract alien]

A toothpick with tissue on the point is great for cleaning between the seams.

 

[DrRussian]

I wash my hands and keep them clean to avoid having to use anything to clean my controllers, but if I needed to clean them I'd go with a Clorox wipe or isopropyl alcohol.

 

[jerry1594]

Wipes, and sometimes disassemble it and clean the parts with soap and water

 

[i-Lo]

Saliva and wet wipes

 

[Darryl M R]

Buy a new one.

Spoiler

.jk.

I have never cleaned a controller before.

 

[AaronMT86]

Lysol wipes

 

[LegalEagleMike]

with my tongue

 

[Justified]

Some dont

 

[MadSol]

Use a little diluted vinegar and water for gentle cleaning, when the kids mess with my shit it's the Lysol wipes - dirty lil bastards.

 

[floatingcoffins]

Never.

 

[Regiruler]

Wet paper towel followed by a dry paper towel

Granted I only do this for portable systems and the Wii U gamepad

 

[VE3TRO]

I once took my controllers apart and soaked them in hot water with bycarb soda overnight. Worked great but never again. Such a nightmare to put together.

I use alcohol wipes, q-tips and toothpicks now.

 

[Ferr986]

uhhh... I don't. Unless I accidentally mess up my controller.

I always wash my hands before playing though. Dunno why, but I do it without even thinking now.

 

[RulkezX]

With my tongue.

 

[mindsale]

Q-Tips and 90% alcohol.

Seriously though, wash your damn hands. It helps a lot.

One and done. You can take a playing card (Joker, rule card, something disposable) and first take that down the seams of the controller, then liberally douse a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and it should disintegrate the rest of the grit. And preventative care is the best - wash your hands prior to use and don't eat or snack mid-play.

 

[Eclectic Jabber Monkey]

I'm also not sure how good those wipes are for the different plastics and materials on a controller, so I only use them once in a while. For regular maintenance I just use a damp cloth with a mild soap, like hand soap, wipe it down and then wipe it down again with another slightly damp cloth without soap to get ride of the remaining soap and grime.
I do this every few weeks (depending on usage, of course) and it seems to work well as my controllers have held up very well over the years.

I also don't ever eat something with my hands and then use a controller, uggh. I had a former roommate in the college days eat pizza with his hands while using my GameCube, I put a stop to that nastiness once I discovered what he was doing.