Whether it is your office desk or the entertainment center at your home, messy cables & cords are unsightly! Power cords may seem insignificant in the large scheme of things, but when they stop working, chaos breaks out. Therefore, it is crucial that besides keeping them organized neatly, you need to clean them too! It will ensure that they continue to transmit or receive power effectively. Since these power cords are mostly sitting in the corners, they accumulate dirt, debris & other gunk frequently.
If left uncleaned, they stop functioning.
Therefore, today we will teach you how to clean dirty power cords in just six easy steps.
Dry cloth
Dish soap
Hot water
Dry sponge
Putty knife or Spoon
Hot Vinegar
Baking soda
Toothbrush
WD-40® Multi-Use Product
The first step is to dust the power cords with the help of a microfiber cloth to eliminate dust, along with any loose debris.
You can check the insulation to see if any part is worn, cracked, or frayed, as worn cords can lead to shock and, in some cases, cause fire too. Therefore, we advise replacing any chewed-up, cracked, or peeled power cords immediately.
Now make a solution using liquid soap and hot water. Dip a dry sponge into it and begin wiping at the power cords. It can be done by pinching and folding the sponge around the power cord for its whole length.
If you find dried paint splatters on your power cords, use a putty knife or a spoon to remove them. Avoid using sharp objects for cleaning these splatters, as they can damage the insulation. You can soften the paint splatters by either using your hairdryer or dampening them with hot vinegar. It will loosen the dried paint residue & you can clean them easily.
If your white power cords appear to be yellowing, we have a hack to whiten them up. Make a paste of baking soda and water. Apply it using an old toothbrush. Once the paste begins to dry or crust up, use damp sponges to remove it. A sparkling white power cord will greet you.
Sometimes, the gunk gets stuck inside the female sides of the extension cords or the prong inlets. Wooden toothpicks come in handy to clean these inlets thoroughly.
If this doesn’t work, you can use compressed air. All you have to do is blow compressed air into the inlets to clean the grimy power cords.
After you clean the power cords, it is time for preventive maintenance. Apply some WD-40 Multi-use Product on a clean rag and wipe over the power cords to repel debris and moisture alongside protecting them from rust or corrosion.
Another step for preventive maintenance includes keeping your wires and cables organized. The tangle of cords is not only unsightly but also creates obstacles. It is tedious to find the correct wire when the need arises & with time, these tangles cause the insulation to crack & wear out.
The simplest way is to go wireless. But, if that is not possible, you will need to streamline them by tying them up. Rubber bands & zip ties come in handy.
Disclaimer
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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