DS Daily: Keeping it clean
by Chris Greenhough 
{ Jun 5th 2008 at 8:00AM }
Although this blogger personally prefers the cool, Mac-esque appearance of the Polar White DS (it is, after all, the perfect match for the Wii), there's a good reason I don't own one: it gets hella dirty, hella quickly. It's just fairly unavoidable -- the thing is called a handheld. Hands aren't always clean.Not that DSes of a different shade are much better. Indeed, as beautiful as the DS Lite is, they all have their fair share of grooves for dirt to creep into. Fingerprints on the glossy casing and grime that accumulates around the edges of the screens are particular culprits.
So today's question is simple: what's your cleaning routine for keeping your DS sparkling and muck-free? How often do you give it a clean (you do clean it, right?), and are there any useful techniques you'd like to share for those of us who'd prefer to keep our DSes skinless?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mike_NJ @ Jun 5th 2008 8:26AM
I used to keep my original Polar White DS Lite in a sleeve chopped off of an old t-shirt. When I pulled it out to play, I'd give it a quick swipe. When the DS was charging, I'd throw the sleeve into the pocket of a pair of pants going into the wash. But dirt-wise it wasn't all that bad, except on the back near the battery cover.
My Onyx DS now though does definitely show fingerprints and dirt MUCH more than the PW did. I keep some soft facial tissues folded in my case to wipe it off when I use it. Also my Nintendo-branded case came with the attached screen wiper thing which I use on the screen.
Also, using a Post-it note to clean the very edges of the screen is useful.
Otherwise, I make sure I keep my hands cleanish and if I've just eaten or something I wash my hands completely.
Kimiko @ Jun 5th 2008 9:17AM
It's especially annoying when you notice some dust specks on the touch screen while playing since you can't wipe them away without messing up the game. Besides, the stylus isn't good at wiping away dust.
Oh, and I hate it when you have to suddenly blow into the mic to control a game. There are often droplets on the screens.
A micro-fiber cloth for cleaning glasses works well on the DS too. Though cleaning fingerprints off the back is kinda futile. They'll be back again in a few minutes.
Alisha @ Jun 5th 2008 9:30AM
I just use a microfiber cloth... when I remember. Mine doesn't get too bad. I have the pink one btw.
mechevar21 @ Jun 5th 2008 9:47AM
I found the white DS to also show less marks and smudges than the darker versions. I use a simple sunglass cleaner clother as well as one of those DS Lite cases from Best Buy with the annoying plastic cut out from the inside.
Josh @ Jun 5th 2008 10:10AM
I just wash my hands before playing, and if I know I won't be able to, I just keep them as clean as possible.
Chris @ Jun 5th 2008 10:20AM
I have the Hori screen and case protectors. There are 2 protective pieces that go around the d pad and the buttons, making it easy to wipe off the crud. I highly recommend picking up a set if you have not already.
Reeve @ Jun 5th 2008 10:28AM
Seconding the Hori protectors. Been using their screen protectors for some time, then sprung for this set when I got an import Lite.
Additionally, I also use a microfiber cloth (the type used for eyeglasses) to wipe over the screens when they get smudged up. Q-Tips are handy for cleaning the touchscreen's edges as well.
Puddles @ Jun 5th 2008 11:19AM
I have a microfiber cloth that I got from the dollar store, and it works great. I use it on the screens, and on the shiny blue part of my cobalt/black DSL.
kodysandwich @ Jun 5th 2008 4:35PM
Wow you guys make me look like shit... I don't think I have ever washed my hands before playing, but its usually in the bathroom because I'm playing it when I make number 2...
jruschme @ Jun 5th 2008 12:12PM
My daughter's pink ds Lite has some grime between the edge of the clear layer and the solid pink part of the lower case (imagine dirt under your fingernails). Any suggestions?
Lupa @ Jun 6th 2008 8:15AM
Take a Q-tip, dip an end into rubbing alcohol... not so much that it's dripping off but enough that it's saturated, and run it down the seam, pressing in fairly hard.
Kimiko @ Jun 5th 2008 12:42PM
Jruschme - Maybe you can try Mike_NJ's suggestion of a sticky note to reach in there? Otherwise the only option is to open the whole thing I guess. I think I saw a tutorial on that posted here.
Dio @ Jun 5th 2008 4:11PM
I always keep my hands clean, but crud still manages to get onto my DS Lite. It's embarassing sometimes when I share with a friend @_@ But I just use a wet paper towel.
BlackDS @ Jun 5th 2008 7:10PM
Sunglass Hut sells a cleaner kit, which includes a spray cleaner and a microfiber cloth.
I keep the cloth in my DS Lite case and keep the cleaner bottle at home (or in the glove compartment).
Outside of smudges and fingerprints, my Onyx DS Lite is easy to clean. Plus, it's not going to turn yellowish in spots like the Polar White DS Lite. :)
I also use Hori Screen Protectors, but I consider them protection for my DS screens against scratches, rather than keeping the DS Lite clean.
Peace.
Naota @ Jun 6th 2008 6:55PM
I made a little pocket out of microfiber that I keep my DS Lite in
StrangeVisitor @ Jun 9th 2008 1:43PM
I use a micro-fiber cloth, bought for 3 bucks at the drugstore. I didn't want to worry about cleaning anymore though so I bought the whole-body skins from bestskinsever and now I can just play.