# Clean your secondhand tech before you use it

> A used gadget can look spotless and still carry someone else's grime, so here is how to strip it back to fresh.
- Title: Clean your secondhand tech before you use it · Engadget
- Summary: A used gadget can look spotless and still carry someone else's grime, so here is how to strip it back to fresh. Never trust a seller's cleaning. Unplug the…
- Keywords: secondhand tech, cleaning, gadgets, maintenance, hygiene, technology, Clean, secondhand, tech, use, Engadget
- Source: Engadget — https://engadget.com/2252766/how-to-clean-sanitize-secondhand-electronics-tech
- Author: Christine Persaud
- Published: 2026-09-12T14:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: secondhand tech, cleaning, gadgets, maintenance, hygiene, technology
## A good find needs a scrub
Buying used tech saves money and keeps working gear out of landfill. It also means inheriting whatever the last owner left behind.
## Don't trust the seller
Used gadgets hide things a surface wipe misses, from bugs to caked-on gunk you cannot see. Do the cleaning yourself, properly.

> Secondhand gadgets can harbor all types of nasty surprises
## Power off, microfiber only
Unplug it and switch it off first, then wipe with a soft microfiber cloth to lift dirt and fingerprints. Any other cloth risks scratching screens and delicate surfaces.
## Skip the harsh chemicals
Mild detergent and warm water are fine. Avoid chlorine, peroxides, solvents and ammonia, which eat internal parts and screen coatings. Whoosh! and Tech2Clean are safe bets.
## Blow out the crevices
Turn a laptop or keyboard over and shake gently to free loose debris, then use compressed air on ports and vents. Turntable needles need a soft-bristle brush or a dedicated kit.
## Swabs for the gunk
A cotton swab with a few drops of isopropyl alcohol lifts baked-on grime. Use gentle strokes on earbud acoustic vents and ear tips, then let everything air dry before powering up.
## Then keep it up
A UV sanitizer from Phonesoap or Homedics handles phones, which run 10 times dirtier than a toilet seat. Deep clean a laptop every 3-6 months, a phone weekly, earbuds monthly, screens every two to four weeks.
## Key takeaway

Never trust a seller's cleaning. Unplug the device, work with a microfiber cloth and gentle solutions, then keep a regular cleaning schedule.