A game that plays perfectly but looks dirty or has corroded pins will sell for less - or not sell at all. Five minutes of cleaning before your meetup can be the difference between an A1 sale at full price and a negotiated discount you didn't need to take.
What You'll Need
- Isopropyl alcohol (90% or higher - not rubbing alcohol which contains water)
- Cotton swabs (Q-tips)
- A soft, lint-free cloth (microfiber works well)
- Good lighting
That's it. Don't use water, household cleaners, or anything abrasive. Isopropyl alcohol at 90%+ evaporates quickly and is safe for electronics.
Cleaning the Cartridge Pins
The gold pins on the bottom of the cartridge are the most important part to clean. Corrosion or dirt on the pins causes read errors and is the first thing an experienced buyer will inspect.
How to clean them:
- Dip a cotton swab lightly in isopropyl alcohol - it should be damp, not dripping
- Gently rub the swab along each pin in one direction - don't scrub back and forth aggressively
- Use a dry swab to wipe away any remaining residue
- Allow to air dry for 60 seconds before inserting into a console
The pins should be bright gold after cleaning. If they're dark or corroded and cleaning doesn't help, you may be looking at deeper corrosion that affects function - disclose this.
Cleaning the Cartridge Body and Label
For the plastic body: wipe with a slightly damp microfiber cloth (water is fine for the exterior plastic). For scuffs and smudges, isopropyl on the cloth works well.
For the label: be careful here. The label is printed and laminated - aggressive rubbing can scratch the lamination or lift edges. Wipe gently with a dry or very slightly damp cloth. Never use isopropyl directly on the label.
Cleaning the Case
Switch cases are hard plastic and can handle more cleaning than the cartridge. A slightly damp cloth removes most smudges. For stubborn marks, isopropyl on a cloth works without damaging the plastic.
The interior of the case (where the cartridge sits) can be cleaned with a cotton swab if there's visible dust or debris in the cartridge slot. Make sure it's fully dry before storing the cartridge in it.
What Cleaning Can't Fix
Cleaning improves cosmetics and fixes surface-level pin issues. It won't fix:
- Deeply corroded pins that have lost their conductivity
- Physical damage to the cartridge (cracks, bent corners)
- Label damage that's already scratched through
- Read errors caused by manufacturing defects
If a game doesn't launch after cleaning the pins, it's either damaged or fake. Don't represent it as A1 condition.
For sellers: A cleaned, well-presented cartridge sells faster and at the full reference price. Five minutes of cleaning is worth it every time.
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