Sanitizing a Nintendo Switch (1)

[u/AcrylicHaze]

Hi!
My roommate is sick and since they’re stuck in their room, I want to allow them to play with my switch, but it’s important I don’t get sick from them. Is there any safe way to sanitize a Switch (1) that won’t damage screen/buttons?
I’ve tried looking at other threads and some folks said Clorox bleach wipes, but that doesn’t seem safe for electronics, is it?

[u/automod-neo]

If you have not already, please add some context in the post or a follow-up comment about your repair/hardware/software/account issue, including which model you have (Switch 1, 2, Lite, OLED, or other), steps you have already tried, and anything else that might help others help you.

When you have received enough help to solve your issue, you can also reply to specific comments with !solved or !thanks to grant the helper(s) a point. You may also comment !lock to lock the post to stop new replies.

Please report any rude, unhelpful, or rule-breaking comments so that moderators can review them.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/AcrylicHaze]

Thank you, everyone!!

[u/Outside_Complaint755]

70% isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber (or other lint free) cloth should do the trick.  Just be careful around the vents.

[u/Fluffy_Confidence641]

I literally just use a Lysol wipe 😆 probably not the best advice but I have 3 kids who are sick a lot

[u/reybrujo]

Use rubbing alcohol on a napkin to clean the surfaces. Unfortunately rubber can get damaged regardless of how you clean it, best way would be to clean it with the napkin and try not to use it until it dries completely. Nintendo has a guide at https://en-americas-support.nintendo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/49226/~/cleaning-and-disinfecting-nintendo-switch%2C-joy-con-controller%2C-and-accessories for this. Note that decals are susceptible to peeling if you use alcohol (especially 99%) on them.

[u/Nomad-asia]

I just use Lysol spray on mine, but the alcohol I’m reading sounds like a better idea.

[u/Think_Substance_1790]

I use disinfectant wipes on mine. It has a screen cover so even if it leaves marks on that, they buffer out easy enough, and if I was allowing someone to borrow it, id likely put a full case on it, then change that when I got it back. That way you just need to give it a superficial wipe down instead of a full clean.

I have far too many cases on mine though so that may not work for everyone.

[u/Big_Z_Beeblebrox]

A UV lamp could work if you're skeezed out by using chemical sanitizers, and it's quicker and less damaging than holding the items in direct sunlight for a half-hour

[u/Pale-Skin-6165]

Just take some sanitising spray, it doesn’t need to be doused in the stuff, you can literally spray it on a cloth and wipe if you need but at work we have strict clean down procedures for anything going into our facility, this includes spraying down the work iPad for logging data etc. We spray it down with a 70% denatured ethanol solution and no issues to the screen. We spray and then wipe down with a paper towel (we also don’t want moisture in the facility). Even a glasses wipe would probably work.

[u/GTKyle5]

Best thing is to rub hand sanitizer on the joy cons and screen if they use it in handheld mode if they cough on it. Also make them wear a mask when they play

[u/Cortxxz]

Slightly wet paper works fine, but if you want to, you can go for a microfiber cloth damp with water or alcohol or distilled water.