Best liquid to clean controllers?

[Kitsune Sniper]

I got a Beatmania controller recently but it's really dirty. The thing works fine, but I want to clean it - so, I want to know what to use to clean it.

I typically use isopropyl alcohol (85%) to clean carts, is this stuff safe enough to clean the plastic shell, buttons and guts (NOT the circuit boards!) of game pads and controllers?

[RP2A03]

I don't like to use use alcohol to clean controllers and console shells because some of them have paint or a finish that can be damaged by alcohol. If it's really dirty I'll disassemble and clean everything real good (not the PCB) with a mild dish soap such as Ivory. Be gentle with the membrane (running water is usually sufficient) and don't forget the cord. Once everything is dry I go over it (not the membrane) with Turtle Wax Ice interior spray. It leaves a natural looking shine without leaving the surface slippery.

[darkslime]

I usually just use rubbing alcohol and nothing has been damaged by it yet.

[thekeepr]

I use 409 cleaner diluted in tap water,works fine for me,leaves the surface nice and shiny clean.To clean switches for say,a 2600,or paddle controller pots,or etc.,use/spray Deoxit,it works great.Alcohol (99%) has worked for me also,on card contacts and cart slots.Never really used it on plastic surfaces that much,the 409 works much better.A cheap dollar store toothbrush works great for cleaning those hard to clean/reach places also. Rob

[Kitsune Sniper]

I don't like to use use alcohol to clean controllers and console shells because some of them have paint or a finish that can be damaged by alcohol. If it's really dirty I'll disassemble and clean everything real good (not the PCB) with a mild dish soap such as Ivory. Be gentle with the membrane (running water is usually sufficient) and don't forget the cord. Once everything is dry I go over it (not the membrane) with Turtle Wax Ice interior spray. It leaves a natural looking shine without leaving the surface slippery.

Damn. I can't use running water. Unless I want my pads to get even dirtier.

[BetaWolf47]

Why can't you use running water? I've cleaned all of my stuff with that. Unless I've really overlooked something, water is harmless to household plastic things. I've submerged controller shells in water and brushed them with a toothbrush underwater. It's worked fine for me. IDK if it's the "best", but it's easy and convenient.

Only thing you need to be careful about is dropping things down the drain, and letting things sit out to dry afterward.

[Kitsune Sniper]

Why can't you use running water? I've cleaned all of my stuff with that. Unless I've really overlooked something, water is harmless to household plastic things. I've submerged controller shells in water and brushed them with a toothbrush underwater. It's worked fine for me. IDK if it's the "best", but it's easy and convenient.

Only thing you need to be careful about is dropping things down the drain, and letting things sit out to dry afterward.

I'm in Mexico. You know that gag about not drinking the water while in Mexico? Well, for those of us who live here, it's just like that, but with tap water. This stuff is not clean.

[RP2A03]

And I thought the bleach that comes out of the tap here was bad.

If the membrane is just dusty you can just dust it with a detailing brush. If it's gunky you could probably submerge it in bottled water and very gently scrub it with a soft brush.

[debian4life]

I use canned air to get dust and debris out of buttons and other tight spaces. I then use warm tap water with a drop or two of dish soap. I then use a tooth brush for really sticky or real dirty spots and a soft wash cloth for large areas.