How to Clean Video Game Cartridges

There are a few good tutorials already on instructables discussing how to clean video games. I wanted to make my own to showcase a 3d printed video game cleaner that I've been working on for a few years. I have been collecting video games for over 20 years and I wanted to share what I've found to be a great solution to keeping cartridges in tip top shape.

It is well worth visiting the other cleaning instructables I have cataloged in this collection. Make sure you read the comments, some of the best ideas are in there.

If you are interested in how to make a cartridge cleaner, please visit my thingiverse page for the cartridge cleaner.

This tutorial only requires to things, Isopropyl alcohol and a Replay Game Labs Cartridge Cleaner (or two).

I use a small squeeze bottle with a twist on top to apply the Isopropyl alcohol.

Using a dry Cartridge Cleaner, in a quick motion go back and forth 5-10 times on the PCB connector with a dry cartridge cleaner. This will remove any loose dirt or cobwebs or other that has found it's way onto the video game.

Add a few drops of Isopropyl alcohol (the higher percentage the better) to a cartridge cleaner. In a quick motion go back and forth 5-10 times on the PCB connector with now wet (with alcohol) cartridge cleaner. This should remove anything that is keeping the cartridge connectors from making clean contact with your video game system.

Using a dry Cartridge Cleaner, in a quick motion go back and forth 5-10 times on the PCB connector with a dry cartridge cleaner. This will remove any loose dirt or cobwebs or other that has found it's way onto the video game.