Don't Clean Your PS5 Controller Like This.. Here's Why

Stop cleaning your PS5 controller using this common method because it can actually cause a serious problem that cracks the buttons on the DualSense. I should have warned every PlayStation 5 user about this sooner.. If you want to clean your PS5 controller, stop using cleaning wipes immediately and use an electronics cleaning spray that's actually designed for PS5 controllers. Follow my recommendations in this video!

[@meto4837]

Straight to the point, no sponsor or product link, under 3 minutes… this guys a KZbin OG

[@1975mastergames]

That’s why I prefer short form content cuz it forces the creator to keep it short and to the point and still engaging if they want to succeed

[@hedgehog1684]

I use bleach to clean my controllers. Works just fine

[@user-op8pf3uf8s]

Endust, pampers.. lol

[@AaronH9111]

This maybe obsessive, but I always wash my hands and finger tips real good every time before I play to minimize oil from my skin getting on the controller It doesn't completely stop it when you get in an intense gaming session, but does help After I'm done playing I always use a microfiber towel or cloth and thoroughly wipe the whole controller down and really go over the buttons and sticks So far the controller has stayed clean and looks new like the first day I got it I admit I'm a little OCD with this stuff, but my thinking is these things are not cheap so I want to take care of them since I paid alot of money out of my pocket and think most gamers would agree with that

[@ailynevensen]

I try to clean my things regularly and just recently opened my ps5 for it's first interior clean since I bought it in January. I'm going to strive for a cleanout every 6 months. I paid a lot, so I'd like to keep my investment clean.

[@kirin8047]

that’s very smart of you, i recently bought the playstation edge and my ocd has been ceiling high. i never want to use rubbing alcohol or anything like that because of it lol. so i always just use a microfibre cloth aswell.

[@AaronH9111]

@@kirin8047 yea I think if you start doing that day 1 as soon as you get your new system and after the first time playing to simply wipe the controller down afterwards and do that every time when you're done playing and it will keep it clean and new So don't wait after playing it for weeks or months and then notice your controller is dirty and then decide to clean it cause all of that dirt and oil would have built up in that time I also cover my consoles as well so they never get dirty and dusty inside which also helps in less cleaning of the system I bought both my PS4 Pro and XBOX One X brand new 4 years ago and had them covered since day 1 and they still look Brand New When I got my PS5 4 months ago and set it up I immediately covered it with a trash bag It's ghetto looking and not pretty, but it definitely keeps it clean :)

[@tw1sted303]

Your not alone bro, seeing people eat chips or any kind of finger food and immediately playing gives me the ick

[@Scp-wh2qe]

IF you do this then your ps5 will surely last years@@ailynevensen

[@the_joy_n_sorrow]

I'm supposed to clean it?

[@missiontom3221]

Lmao same😂

[@therealregio8212]

Bruh

[@fofecoggames]

Lmao💀💀💀💀💀

[@jalomount]

Yeah, mine have nice brown marks😂

[@HandTingSeason]

Dirty mfs

[@toucansam8164]

dry cloth, NAH! TSHIRT BABY

[@alamdaaliartes]

shirts are made of dry cloth.

[@toucansam8164]

holy shit thank you for explaining the world to me@@alamdaaliartes

[@Memealicous12]

@@alamdaaliartesthey’re made of cotton

[@StormDiper]

I just used your tutorial today to insert an ssd in my PS5. Thank you for helping me with the tutorial John!

[@Jericho.109]

@ 0:46 when we're zoomed in to the back of the controller, I honestly had no idea the grip texture was resembling a pattern of buttons! That is very cool! This is the fist video I've seen from you and I love the detail!

[@AnonymousC2218]

You just found that out. Lol

[@SuperFlashDriver]

On many controllers around the time the PS5 launched (I also have this one as well from a controller sold back in January 2021, which they sadly removed it sometime between July 2021 and November 2021) is where, if you look very closely on the controller handles on the back, you can see the four symbols (Circle, Triangle, Square, and X) imprinted and engraved on the Dualsense controller as to celebrate the 25th anniversary of when the Playstation 1 (aka PSX/PS1) was first released back in 1994/1995, and Playstation 2's 20th anniversary back in March and November of 2000. So as a way to celebrate both the PS1 and PS2's birthday and anniversary of the console launches of the first two generations of Sony Consoles, they engraved the Playstation Button symbols right onto the back of the Dualsense controller, which these controllers unfortunately were only selling for a limited time from the moment the PS5 launched all the way until June of 2021, possibly until August 2021; And then they reverted it back to a normal PS5 controller until the Pro came out and has the same engraved symbols again, but this time on different parts of the controller. The thing is though they're microscopic and you have to look really hard and clean them well in order to see it. And thankfully they don't fade away compared to the plastic color you see on controllers if not cleaned well enough.

[@FIGHTINGGAMER]

I don't like the grip things on the back because dirty sticks to it faster and never had this problem for ps4 controllers

[@amirar2371]

1 thing i do to keep my roller clean is when ever im finished gaming i will cover it with a piece of dry cleaning paper it prevents dust and makes your stick way more durable and less stick drifts

[@luc7478]

using a dry microfiber tissu to clean the controller as suggested in the guidebook isn't effective because the controllers are most of the time soiled by Grease, that's why you either want alcohol or foam based solution to clean Grease and the second option is used for controllers as suggested in this video

[@NakedTrashPanda]

Crazy how clean you can be, but the next day you decide to play, the controller is all oily/greasy. Makes me just play PC more.

[@luc7478]

@@NakedTrashPanda to be honest as long as you don't eat while you play, you rarely needs to clean your controller for dust. the ps5 controller is very expensive, we must tale care of it hoping to last as long as possible lol

[@kapnkrunch6833]

My advice is buy a protective cover and thumb sticks! After 3 years I've had 3 broken controllers! The build quality is cotch worthy so you got to treat the thing like an antique made of glass! Lastly if you cleaning any electronics ever use isopropyl alcohol! Not wet wipes ffs If you clean it take it apart or else you're just pushing the dirt deeper into the controller. Literally can't wait for a cheap Chinese controller overcomes the PS5's I-phone compatibility I'd rather a piece of junk that I expect to break in months then having to buy sonys overpriced badly built glorified hardware subscription that is the Ps5 controller. At this rate in two more years I'd have owned all the colors like a collector. So far I've had white, purple, pink and now I have the camo version. Sony sucks 100%

[@thegreatacolyt1277]

​@@luc7478yeah I never eat and im fine

[@thegreatacolyt1277]

Cool

[@Nightfiend]

Thanks for the info. I never wiped the buttons with alcohol but now I know to keep avoiding them.

[@khazms]

You don't need to keep avoiding alcohol. Embrace the alcohol. Drink the alcohol. Become the alcohol.

[@gamingclips481]

Thanks for making this video and warning me about this before I use those wipes on my Spider-man 2 dualsense controller when it comes out! I’ve been using those alcohol wipes to clean my ps5 controller for the past 2 years and thankfully it hasn’t broken!

[@tylervincent2559]

I know im only speaking for myself, but I've used alcohol wipes on my controllers almost daily for years and never had this problem. I use Zeiss Lens Wipes. I'm thinking maybe the problems were coming from using wipes that were too saturated. The ones that leave a wet streaking mess on anything they touch.

[@lakerskid2013]

One other way you can keep your controller cleaner at least for a longer period of time is to put them in a case. I’m not saying you won’t ever have to clean the controllers, but at least if they’re sealed in a case then you can prolong the life cycle in that way as well. Mine is a Hawksbill case that costs $25 off of Amazon and I have two of them since I have four controllers and they can also hold charging cables in a little zippered slot above where you place the controllers

[@blizsgarage8487]

You can get the electrical sensitive cleaning wipes as well.

[@biggie6458]

Thanks for the heads up i was already using babywipes I'll just use a cloth to wipe over it once im done

[@fabbulous2]

me too bro... did it yesterday

[@Pkilla80]

I always use baby wipes , hate the smell but they are gentle. I use a tiny flat screwdriver and get the lines along the sides. No matter how clean my hands are, over a few weeks time something always gets up in there.

[@terrorbot3003]

I use Lysol wipes but not on the action buttons I use Q tips with a little bit of damp water then I use a needle to get the crud out of the cracks of the controller like the sides and in between the shooter buttons

[@jesusjuice6772]

I use 70% isopropyl alcohol on my controllers and ngl I've always had this happen but never understood why. I figured out that it was the alcohol recently. Glad this confirms it

[@TheThekasa79]

Can you make a video about PS5 Vertical/Horizontal placement? Whats your opition?

[@khuongathebounga4141]

I’ve been using 70% alcohol wipes every fortnight and I’ve had this controller since the day PS5 was launched back in November 2020 and mine still looks perfectly fine. I think if others are having this issue they may be using 100% alcohol. That said though I did experience stick drift after a few months and had to take it apart to clean and lube the potentiometers with Deoxit Faderlube. Haven’t had any issues since then.

[@obluzzionn]

I also bought the ps5 since it came out and im with the same controller and i saw that after some months it gets drift on the joystick Edit: looks like that only the old ps5 controller have that problem, the other ones with the blue, pink etc colors doesnt have drift after some months

[@b3zerk288]

I love fortnite but i play it everyday

[@773Spair]

@@b3zerk288 I'm happy you do. In case you thought he was talking about the game Fortnite, let me clarify he's talking about the time period of two weeks instead.

[@b3zerk288]

@@773Spair ohhhh I thought he ment he cleans it everytime he played fortnite thanks 🙏

[@773Spair]

@@b3zerk288 Heh; you're welcome. A fortnight is a rare unit of time these days, so I'm not surprised you mistook it for The Game Fortnite. I'm happy to have clarified this for you.

[@ArthurM1863]

I always apply only water if theres gunk and grease on the controller. If not, I dont apply anything, just a dry microfiber cloth. In the past I used a lot cleaning products but I learned from experience that most of these products have chemicals which are abrasive, and over time they will deteriorate the plastics of the controller.

[@pravarshanmurugasen2641]

Hey John, any recommendations for a toolkit we can get off the likes of Amazon to clean the PS5?

[@Jerryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy]

Microfiber cloth with very small amount of warm water from the faucet. Use wet side to scrub greasy areas. Dry side to dry. Easy.

[@DGlock]

I just use a damp, warm washcloth with water that is well wrung out, so excessive water doesn't drip down into the buttons. Works like a charm to get keep the controller clean.

[@vasheldiablo507]

This guy knows what’s up

[@joshuacarter2459]

Wow i've never thought about doing none of that to clean my PlayStation 5 controller at all y'all some geniuses

[@Mobius1Angel]

Hey glass i know this is unrelated to the video but just cerious could a better cable modem increase hit reg through put or increase connection quality

[@FilipRanogajec]

Good to know. Thanks.

[@TISUAL]

I always use baby wipes now since back in like 2021, I notice that the touchpad on my white controller has clear circular spots on it and it's still there to this day (I may just get the controller customized). I used to use alcohol/disinfectant wipes, but at the time I think I was using disinfecting wipes🤔. I also have protective sleeves on my controllers too. What mousturizing addictives in baby wipes leave residue?

[@rnorfor2002]

Thank you this worked i was afraid to take it apart knowing me i would of broke it

[@lowerclassbrats77]

Maybe it's the % of alcohol in the wipes. Diluting rubbing alcohol with water and using a paper towel might avoid damage. I think I'll just buy the Endust.

[@D.Rostemi]

Ok brother! Thank again!

[@GREENGAMER41]

So do I have to use a dry cleaning cloth after I use the electronic spray in a wash cloth to clean my ps5 controller or just let it dry? I’m trying to clean my Ps5 controller to add the new Kontrol freak accessory on?

[@yuvalmenahem800]

Incredible video !!!, I hope you will make a Tarantino vid one day

[@angel_d_saint]

I haven't cleaned my DualSense yet. But I do wash my hands with soap every time before I play. I just wipe the controller with water-damped microfiber.

[@mountain.spider]

I clean once every two months sometime not even needing to so maybe three months and that’s only when I see from sweat on the back of the control and it doesn’t wipe off easily. For the most part, I don’t understand how people are cleaning the control every single day lol the general population has their hand clean when they’re playing controller I would assume. And most time a set cloth is more than enough

[@Smansi07]

@@mountain.spiderI think (if you’re an active player) should clean them at least once a week. I tend to have sweaty hands. 🤦‍♂️

[@MasterDracer]

WTTFFF me too!

[@t3knyn]

Have never used any of those to clean my controller. The alcohol messes up the buttons after a while. Dry cloth works well for me

[@rewscott]

Armor All cleaning wipes are alcohol free. They do not contain alcohols or petroleum distillates. They are designed for plastics and leathers, clean with orange essences and cut grease.

[@Eyes-Scream0213]

I'm cleaning my ontrollers with a cloth and alcohol for a long time but the action buttons are still fine. Maybe it still depends on the temperature of the room or something?

[@ryuuotaku35]

Thanks man!

[@onemanarmy-kz]

I use isopropyl alchool. Always on the plastics, obviously i only put a lil bit and never directly on dualsense.

[@theyframedme]

I disassemble controller, then wash the buttons with a damp rag, while washing the controller body with a rag and alcohol. I put the internal parts in a ziplock bag while doing this as to decrease the risk of dirt, dust, debris getting into the exposed analog. I wash my controller 1x every six months. I wash my hands before every use of controller.

[@leocam4114]

Ur the man John!

[@electronjon]

Do you have a video for cleaning PS2 controllers?

[@U_mellat]

I have bought 3 dual sense controllers in 2 years and all 3 are drifting now. I cant and won’t buy a new one!Can you pls make a video about how we can repair controllers ourselves? And can you name the tools that we need?

[@HearMeLearn]

I always use a microfiber cloth and water and it works great

[@lordnoah_420_cisneros9]

Hello I own a ps4 controller that allows me to talk through the mic of iPhone earbuds when connected to the aux input in the controller. Let me know if I can send it to you to examine why it's allowing talkback

[@GREENGAMER41]

Is it bad if I used a disinfecting wipe from Amazon basics to clean the outside of my ps5 controller?

[@dckelly5994]

Splashs of lager does the trick as good 😂

[@SavageMessiah142]

I already used a 91% isopropyl alcohol already on both of my controllers, does that mean that it is already damaged

[@chuteu260]

Great tip

[@festivalbeast]

I put my controller in the dishwasser😅

[@andrewmichos3404]

This guy is great!

[@mightymaverick98]

I use microfibre cloth sprayed with water to clean both console covers and dualsense controller.

[@priceG]

I use isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber tissue just to clean the handles, triggers and bumpers, and the thumbsticks every week. I also like to deep clean my controllers monthly. It's not that hard to do and there's plenty of tutorials online on how to do it for all controllers.

[@hazardhaych1413]

Can i get link maybe?

[@priceG]

@@hazardhaych1413 Disassembly and assembly tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j2aYZ62il7yJjpI To clean I just use isopropyl alcohol, a microfiber tissue and q-tips

[@ArthurM1863]

@@priceG Dude theres really no need to disassemble the entire controller. But each to its own.

[@365DaysOfBald]

@@ArthurM1863the reality of the situation continues to unfold

[@ArthurM1863]

@@365DaysOfBald deeers nooo waay

[@--Atom1x--]

I have this brown scratch on my handle it also scratched away the tiny shapes i tried everything like cleaning it with isopropyl alcohol or scratching it off with a toothpick but nothing worked what should i do

[@valq661]

Good to know!

[@stx137]

Now i know why my controllers button are all crack, thank you

[@ark-aid]

Clean water and soft brush works well for my controller

[@miguelhooks5826]

So the alcohol won’t damage the color?

[@user-ev9zy2jn7o]

are electronic wipes ok?

[@KidRandomNolt]

i use the cloth, but this is why i just wash my hands before touching any of my controllers

[@jmhollabaughgaming9329]

I spray 91% rubbing alcohol all over mine and wipe down immediately and have been doing this for well over a decade with all my electronics and no issues. I will say, though, this made me go look at the buttons on mine real closely because I panicked.

[@tylervincent2559]

I use Zeiss Lens Wipes I believe they're 70%. Never had issues. I like them because they are drier then some other wipes and don't leave residues or streaks.

[@frankford6927]

Just recently bought a ps5 yesterday and my controllers already has oil stains disapppointed on what materials they used nowadays same quality as nintendo switch

[@bahamut505ci]

Been using alcohol and alcohol wipes on my dual sense controllers, for over 2 years now not one crack on any of my 5 controllers. If you get cracks you’re probably using too much alcohol.

[@RedSavage7]

Never had any issues what I do to clean my Ps5 controller use a bandana water wet not super wet but not super dry just clean it like you would shy a shoe

[@jlkklj3137]

I just buy a new controller every other month. Used to be every month before I upgraded to ps5. My local Best Buy told me NOT to invest in a DS Edge because they have more returns on those than the regular DS controllers. Now that i think of it, i wonder if all those returnees even know the thumbsticks are replaceable... 🤔

[@turtleman190]

I don't have a choice but to clean my controller multiple times a day and fully disassemble it and clean it every month. as i produce alot of oil and it cloges everything up and makes it slippery. So far nothing has cracked using isopropyl alcohol hopefully it will continue to be that way

[@balloonedraccoon2503]

I use a little isopropyl alcohol and a cloth.

[@ver9000]

What about CareTouch Lens Cleaning Wipes

[@2wheelGamer]

Id say those people have drenched their controller in isopropyl/rubbing alcohol and dried it near a heater or the sun. Thats the only time something like that would happen. Or just plain used a diff type of rubbing alcohol used for something else and not cleaning. You get actual different types of rubbing alcohol depending on the application your applying it to👍

[@NakedTrashPanda]

This is definitely one of those rare cases where 1 or 2 people claimed alcohol wipes caused their controller to break. Same shit happened with the "how should you position your PS5" I will continue using alcohol wipes because I am not a moron.

[@mountain.spider]

Except the position of the PS five doesn’t matter that was all hearsay. They’re actually designed to be stood up and down, nobody would make a system that can be positioned in two spots, and then ones better than the other. The only time I heard of something like that happened, was if the components internally were loose, but that was more of a rare occasion.

[@tylervincent2559]

Yeah haha same here

[@ailynevensen]

🙄

[@Jgetreched346]

Uh what about the back where i hold the controller like it's stained idk how all i know my brother was using it when we were playing together and now I can't remove it

[@Jansenbaker]

What if I've already been using isopropyl, but haven't seen any damage? Edit: I meant, Is it too late if I've done it a few times?

[@ailynevensen]

If you've done it but no damage, I'd say just don't use alcohol anymore and use soap based cleaner from now on.

[@amrmohamed2554]

Hi, can you help me with the error I keep receiving while playing the games? It's ce-108255-1 error.

[@damascus6480]

Damn, I definitely wouldn’t use rubbing alcohol, that shit will mess up a lot of stuff. I found that out trying to get adhesive off the back off my ps3 controller, it started to eat the clear coat on the controller. It’ll eat off the clearcoat on old PS1 cases and mess up the clear plastic that protects the cover art on cases as well too

[@2wheelGamer]

Thats why you read the label duhh. Not all rubbing alcohol is ffor the same product lol smh theres acrual rubbing alcohol made for conputer keyboards/controllers/ tv/monitor screens. Be clever next time n dilute with water🙃

[@ailynevensen]

You sure you didn't use acetone? Because what you're saying happened here happens when you put acetone on plastics.

[@HedggieChillin]

I had my ps5 since June 18th 2023 (gow Ragnarok bundle) and use 91% IPA and I can say with my experience I don't have any issues or stick drift only complaint I have is the battery life is garbage

[@ailynevensen]

I'm able to expand my battery life by disabling the mics.

[@silvally_hacker4544]

Can I use glasses wipes

[@Rosa2028-]

Can I use windex on the controller?

[@cristianfrijio9828]

Is it safe if I use humid paper?

[@Riz2336]

I've always just used a dry cloth

[@gameshark427]

Idk about this 🤔 I actually use 70% Isopropyl Alcohol to clean my PS5 controller every other day, I have been doing this since October 2021 & I haven't had any cracked buttons or any other problems. I think this is just a small isolated problem & some Bad luck like the few people that had the Liquid Metal leakage problem.

[@Randy89kk]

0:33 ? Everyone that has experienced this? Its the same pictures all over the internet , cosmic red controller and the purple one only, 2 people had this "issue" but look at the scratches close to the controller face buttons, this people throw their controllers or they did break the buttons on purpose

[@animex9069]

Just keep ur console clean all the time don’t wash with a lot of water take care of it and before u use it wash ur hands so u don’t get the controller drity Bec trust me if u get ur control drity the controller will feel all sweaty while playing plus if u leave it drity u may have problems with ur stick u find it moving by itself plus it may cause both ur console and controller a damage if u don’t clean

[@lifehertz]

so that's how my buttons cracked? I thought I just must've dropped it too hard or something.

[@Cloysterpete]

Well I noticed my spare controller was dusty as heck the other day, I just wiped it with my T-shirt and jobs a good 'un.

[@Charlie-hv3dh]

There is gunk under my triggers, how do i clean it

[@vid5540]

Just use water and your finger to scrub, then wipe the dirt off with a microfiber cloth. Always works for me.

[@spongebelt]

I just use a damp paper towel. But my welding hands has pretty much maid the back of the controller stained ☹️☹️

[@HGxc21]

as a person who owns a ps4, I can see this as an absolute win

[@Sassyburrito]

Thank you John glasscock

[@roksvempire]

isopropyl alcohol is good for everything

[@ago6227]

I have a problem with my ps5 ac cable so pretty much it’s loose and as soon as I move my PlayStation it falls out I don’t know what to do someone help

[@OM1EZ]

as long as the stick drift happens to me before the button problem im sticking to alcohol

[@KennyJordana]

Or you can just use a swiffer dust pad. Those DEFINITELY work on my controllers 👊🏿

[@ZeeB...]

I never used any cleaning supplies just a dry cloth and good srubbing.

[@ToxMod]

I use a micro cloth towel and hot water

[@user-rr4br5mt7k]

Help this took me to an system update any suggestions

[@bopitbull3957]

How about do what I do and wash your hands thoroughly before you touch your controllers.

[@ExtraterrestrialsareReall]

I use kitchen paper. No liquid. Same the surface and surrounding of the console.

[@crimsonhunter8997]

What about the joystick it gets like sticky.

[@helloproxy]

I just use a microfiber cloth and Koala Cleaner for all of my electronics, works amazingly. I clean my Switch, Xbox, PS5, TV, controllers, everything with it. It's an eyeglass cleaner that you can also clean electronics with, it cleans them nicely and leaves zero smudges or smears behind, genuinely makes all of my things like brand new again. 5 years of using it, 10/10 experience lol.

[@barson24o2]

They never last long enough to clean!