What's the best way to clean game cartridges??

[stargate]

I mean to claen the contacts on my NES, TG-16, Genesis, etc games. I have read different ways: 70% isopropyl alcohol (with a Q-tip), 91% isopropyl alcohol, a 50/50 mix of isopropyl alcohol and water, pencil erasers, etc. My NES games says right on them NOT to use alcohol.

So what gives? How should I clean them? Some of the ones I buy from flea markets and auctions are quite dirty?

Thanks!!!!!!!

[davidbrit2]

You're doing it right. Those "no alcohol" recommendations are just to sell more cleaning kits. . . which are usually alcohol based. ;-)

I just use a plain old bottle of isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, and scrub around a bit. Then use a dry swab to soak up the excess. Use a pencil eraser in extreme cases where the game still doesn't work after about five or six alcohol treatments.

[stargate]

You're doing it right. Those "no alcohol" recommendations are just to sell more cleaning kits. . . which are usually alcohol based. ;-)

I just use a plain old bottle of isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, and scrub around a bit. Then use a dry swab to soak up the excess. Use a pencil eraser in extreme cases where the game still doesn't work after about five or six alcohol treatments.

cool. that's what I thought. Just wanted to make sure now that my collection is growing. Thanks!!!

[jonjandran]

Washing Machine with hot water NOT cold.
Then Dryer for 55 minutes.
Then Iron IMMEDIATELy after removing.
Oh but don't do this if they say dry clean only.