A Comprehensive Cleaning Guide For Nintendo Switch.
A beloved companion for gamers worldwide, offering a versatile gaming experience both at home and on the go. Whether you’re playing the latest Mario title or indulging in indie gems, keeping your Switch clean is essential for maintaining its performance and longevity. In this guide, we’ll explore the best practices for cleaning your Nintendo Switch, ensuring it remains in pristine condition for countless gaming adventures.
Why Clean Your Nintendo Switch? Regular cleaning not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your Switch but also safeguards its functionality. Dust, grime, and debris can accumulate over time, potentially leading to overheating, performance issues, and even hardware damage. By incorporating cleaning into your gaming routine, you’ll prolong the lifespan of your device and optimise your gaming experience.
Materials Needed:
- Microfiber cloth
- Cotton swabs
- A dedicated screen cleaner
- Compressed air canister (optional)
- Toothbrush (soft-bristled)
- Clean, dry towel
Cleaning the Exterior: Start by powering off your Nintendo Switch and disconnecting any accessories. Then, use a dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe down the exterior surfaces, including the Joy-Con controllers, console body, and dock. This helps remove surface-level dust and fingerprints, restoring the sleek appearance of your device.
For stubborn smudges or dirt buildup, dampen the microfiber cloth with a small amount of dedicated screen cleaner designed for electronic devices. Nintendo officially suggests consumer grade disinfectant containing less than 70% alcohol. Mistify screen cleaner is entirely free of alcohol and will work safely on 2017 or 2019 Switch, Switch Lite and OLED versions. As an added benefit, the plant based formula is great for kid’s devices and you can use it on just about any other screen in the home from TV’s, laptops to car infotainment systems. Mistify is solvent free and does not contain ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and other harsh chemicals which you may find mixed with other consumer grade household cleaners. Avoid using excess liquid on your Switch and carefully wipe the affected areas in a circular motion, taking care not to saturate the device with liquid.
Cleaning the Joy-Con Controllers: The Joy-Con controllers are prone to accumulating dirt around the buttons, analog sticks, and edges. The best cure of all is prevention! Clean you hands properly beforehand with warm soapy water before you play! But if you do need clean these areas effectively, you can dip a cotton swab in 70% isopropyl alcohol and gently swab around the buttons and crevices. Use a dry cotton swab to remove any excess moisture afterwards. Please be aware that most isopropyl alcohol is generally sold at 99% concentration. It needs to be diluted carefully with distilled water. Here is a great article we found online that explains the process. Note that excessive alcohol use will reduce the life span of your device. 70% concentration or above is not advised. As an alternative, safer option use a swab dampened with warm water or a dedicated screen cleaner. This method requires patience but it is kinder to your device and to the environment!
If the analog sticks are sticking or not responding correctly, use a brush with soft bristles to gently scrub around the base of the sticks. This helps dislodge any debris that may be affecting their performance. You can repurpose an old toothbrush or the try a nylon brush included with Mistify cleaning kits, designed for cleaning keyboards as well as other various electronic nooks and crannies.
Cleaning the Console Ports and Ventilation: Over time, the ports and ventilation grilles on the Nintendo Switch can become clogged with dust and debris, hindering airflow and potentially causing overheating issues. To address this, use compressed air to blow out any buildup from the ports and vents. Hold the canister upright and use short bursts of air to avoid damaging the internal components.
If compressed air is unavailable, you can use a dry cotton swab or toothbrush to carefully remove debris from the ports and vents. Be gentle to avoid bending or damaging the delicate components.
Final Touches: Once you’ve cleaned all the external surfaces and components of your Nintendo Switch, allow them to air dry for a few minutes. Then, use a clean, dry towel to wipe away any remaining moisture and polish the device to a shine.
Conclusion: A well-maintained Nintendo Switch not only looks better but also performs better, ensuring you can enjoy uninterrupted gaming sessions for years to come. By incorporating these cleaning techniques into your routine, you’ll protect your investment and keep your gaming experiences fresh and enjoyable. So, grab your microfiber cloth and get ready to embark on countless gaming adventures with your gleaming Nintendo Switch!