What's Hiding ON Your Remote Control?
March 7, 2009

TV Remote controls revolutionized the way we spend and enjoy our television entertainment hours, but they also created another revolution. The seemingly harmless center of our TV viewing universe is also the silent yet one of the most direct methods germs and viruses spread within the home or while traveling in hotel rooms.

Has the dog ever picked up the remote? The toddler teethed on it? How often do we snack while watching TV and the oils and remnants found their way to the buttons? Does everyone in the house always wash their hands after working in the kitchen, taking out the trash or using the restroom? When you begin to think about it is there any wonder cold and rhinovirus that can live up to 2 days on a hard surface might find the buttons, crevices and indentions of the TV remote control so appealing to cling to?

After thinking about how germs in your own home find their way to the remote do we really want to visualize what might be contaminating the surface of a remote hundreds of people may have used in your hotel room? Not a pretty picture if you are fairly certain the housekeeping staff isn't wiping them down after each use.

How are we supposed to protect ourselves? Its not like we can submerge a remote in hot soapy water or spray disinfectant on its buttons. Liquid and remotes don't mix. However sanitizing wipes with their limited yet effective wetness suit the task just fine.

Wiping the remote down with a sanitizing towelette is one way you can protect yourself and your family whether at home or on the road. And while you are at it, give that cell phone, home or hotel telephone and your blackberry a sanitizing touch for good measure.

PROJECT: Open/Clean the Circuit Board and Button Pad
For the more adventurous, most remotes can be easily disassembled and made clean as a whistle. Inside there's just a circuit board and rubber keypad.