Gadgets are part of daily life, whether it’s the smartphone you pick up a hundred times a day, the laptop you work on, the TV remote you hand over to guests, or the smart home speaker that responds to your voice. But have you thought about how clean your electronics‐cleaning routine is? With cleaners like Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Magic Soap and Sal Suds, you can keep your devices looking fresh and performing well. Below is a step-by-step guide for cleaning a wide variety of commonly-used electronic devices, how to safely use Castile Soap and Sal Suds (and when you might choose one over the other), and practical tips for maintaining clean device surfaces.
Table of Contents
- Why we even need to clean electronics
- Castile Soap vs. Sal Suds — What’s the difference and which to use?
- General electronics-cleaning rules (regardless of product)
- Cleaning with Dr. Bronner’s — step-by-step by device
Why we even need to clean electronics
Electronics are among the most-touched items in our homes—phones, tablets, remotes, keyboards, game controllers, wearables—all gather fingerprints, body oils, dust, lint, and yes, germs [1]. Dust and debris can block vents or ports, causing devices to overheat or malfunction [2].
Castile Soap vs. Sal Suds — What’s the difference and which to use?
Pure-Castile Magic Soap: Dr. Bronner’s Pure-Castile Magic Soap is made with organic ingredients, fair trade, free of synthetic detergents. It’s gentle and highly versatile.
Sal Suds All-Purpose Cleaner: Made with plant-derived and biodegradable* ingredients, Sal Suds is formulated for stronger household cleaning—floors, surfaces, laundry, and tougher messes.
*Sal Suds cleaner shows >60% biodegradation after 28 days per ISO 14593.
In short: Use Castile for gentle, general cleaning; use Sal Suds for tougher surfaces or sticky residue.
When cleaning electronics, you’ll usually prefer a mild dilution to minimize moisture exposure, so Pure-Castile Magic Soap in a light dilution is typically the safest all-around choice. Sal Suds (very lightly diluted) can be used on non-screen areas like casing, keyboards, and remotes. Always use minimal moisture, and ensure the device is turned off/unplugged.
General electronics-cleaning rules (regardless of product)
- Turn off and unplug the device (and remove batteries if possible) before cleaning.
- Use a soft microfiber cloth rather than paper towels or rough cloths.
- Never spray liquids directly onto a device—apply to cloth only.
- Use very minimal moisture.
- Avoid harsh or ammonia-based cleaners on screens or coated surfaces.
- Let devices dry fully before powering back on.
Cleaning with Dr. Bronner’s — step-by-step by device
Smartphones & Tablets
- Power off, unplug, and remove case if applicable.
- Mix a very light Magic Soap solution: ¼ tsp in 16 oz (500 mL) water; dampen a microfiber cloth.
- If using Sal Suds: use ⅛ tsp in 16 oz water (even weaker for coated screens).
- Wipe screen and body gently, avoiding ports and speaker holes.
- Buff dry with a clean microfiber cloth.
- For sticky spots, dampen slightly more but ensure full drying before powering on.
Laptops & Computer Keyboards
- Shut down, unplug, and disconnect accessories.
- Use compressed air to blow dust from keys and vents.
- Wipe casing and keyboard with mild Magic Soap or ultra-weak Sal Suds solution.
- For screens: use dry or barely damp microfiber (water or mild Magic Soap only).
- Let dry fully before use.
TV / Monitor Screens & Remotes
Screens:
- Start with a dry microfiber cloth.
- If smudges remain, use slightly dampened Magic Soap dilution.
- Avoid Sal Suds on screens unless manufacturer explicitly approves.
Remotes:
- Use very mild Sal Suds or Magic Soap dilution.
- Dampen cloth, wipe surfaces, and use cotton swab for seams.
- Dry thoroughly.
Game Consoles & Controllers
- Power off and unplug.
- Use compressed air for vents.
- Wipe exterior surfaces with diluted Magic Soap or Sal Suds.
- Dry completely before reconnecting.
Smart Home Devices, Wearables & Earbuds
Wearables:
- Remove strap if washable; wipe tracker surface with Magic Soap dilution.
Earbuds:
- Remove silicone tips—wash with mild Magic Soap, rinse, and dry.
- Wipe earbud casing with barely damp microfiber.
Smart speakers/voice assistants:
- Unplug first.
- Wipe surfaces and buttons with weak Magic Soap or Sal Suds solution.
- Dry thoroughly.
Pro tips & frequency
- Clean your phone weekly; dry microfiber wipe daily is ideal.
- Keyboards and remotes: monthly or more often for shared devices.
- Consoles, TVs, wearables: every 2–3 months or as needed.
- Keep pre-diluted Pure-Castile Magic Soap solution handy for quick wipe-downs.
- Avoid letting liquid seep into seams or ports.
- For high-end or warranty-protected devices, check manufacturer guidance.
Electronics deserve thoughtful cleaning just as much as the rest of your home. With the right dilutions, the right tools (microfiber cloths, cotton swabs, compressed air), and a gentle hand, you’ll keep your smartphone, laptop, tablet, remotes, consoles, wearables and smart devices looking and functioning their best.
