How to clean plug sockets: an easy guide

Cleaning plug sockets in the home and including them in our cleaning routine is highly recommended. We show you which products to use and how to use them in each case.

Plug sockets and power strips are a household item that we normally forget to clean but they should be taken into account so they can be kept in perfect condition. It’s a delicate matter, so we give you some tips to clean them safely.

Why cleaning plug sockets is recommended

Sometimes, plug sockets are hidden behind an item of furniture or in low places, so they usually go unnoticed when we clean the house. If we don’t dust them regularly, they risk becoming a nest of dirt and hair, which can be dangerous when they are in operation.

The excess dust built up inside the holes makes it difficult for the current to reach the plug sockets and hair can cause sparks or overheating.

How to clean the inside of a plug socket

To clean the inside of a plug socket, you're going to need cotton buds, a microfibre cloth, thin cotton cloth and isopropyl alcohol (known as propanol).

This type of alcohol is usually used for cleaning glass, DVDs and other electronic devices, but it must be used with caution because it’s flammable. It's an excellent disinfectant and doesn’t leave marks, as it evaporates very quickly. For that reason, there is no risk of leaving traces of damp, giving us the peace of mind of knowing that it won't cause and short circuits when we connect the plug socket back into the mains.

Once you have the materials prepared, you need to disconnect from the mains electricity to start safely and avoid any scares. Afterwards:

• Use a dry cotton bud to clean the holes of the plug socket and collect the dust and lint easily. You can also use them for the cracks that are always less accessible and, therefore, more complicated to clean.

• Wet the microfibre cloth with a little propanol, but don’t let it drip.

• Clean the inside of the plug socket or power strip, preventing the alcohol from entering into the holes.

• Wet the cotton bud with isopropyl alcohol, squeeze gently with your fingers so it doesn’t drip and clean the outside of the holes very carefully.

• Dry thoroughly with the cotton cloth and polish the outside so it’s super clean.

If you aren’t confident that there is no damp left in the holes, you can also remove the plug socket to clean it. We tell you how:

• Make sure the fuses of the room are removed and, if you don't know which ones they are, switch off the electricity to the house for a moment.

• Use a screwdriver to remove the plug socket. You’ll notice a small screw in the middle, you just need to loosen it for the plug socket to come off.

• Then, you can clean it easily with washing-up liquid and water, using a small brush to reach every corner.

• Dry the plug sockets properly before replacing them so there are no drops of water or damp in the holes or nooks.

How to clean a yellow plug socket

Over time, the plastic of plug sockets loses its white colour and they can take on a yellowish colour that gives off an image of deterioration and dirt. This effect appears much sooner if the plastic items don't receive basic cleaning or if they are constantly exposed to the sun.

To recover the original white of the plug socket, you can use:

• Bicarbonate of soda: as well as removing the yellow colour, it also acts against germs and dirt on the surface. With a well wrung damp cloth, using water and soap, scrub the outside of the plug socket. Next, mix hot water, half a glass of chlorine, another half of bicarbonate of soda and a few drops of oxygenated water in a bowl. Once you have mixed all the ingredients thoroughly, soak a sponge and wipe the yellow areas using circular movements. Take care not to let anything enter inside the holes. For the solution to activate, you should leave it to rest for approx. 10 minutes and then you just need to remove the residue with a sponge that has been wet in water and well wrung. Next, dry with a clean cloth.

• Oxygenated water: is another fantastic ally for whitening, but it requires the object to be immersed in water. It is useful for the trims that go around the plug socket. For that reason, you need to fill a bucket with oxygenated water and insert the piece you want to whiten until the liquid completely covers it. Then, place the bucket in an area that receives direct sunlight. If this isn’t possible, the light and heat of a lamp will also have the same effect. It is advisable to leave the plastic object in this position for at least 6 hours, after which you will notice the yellow colour has disappeared.

• Bleach: mix cold water with half a glass of bleach and a quarter of a glass of bicarbonate of soda and stir well. Then, wet a sponge and wipe the entire piece. To obtain a good result, you need to wait for 10 minutes before removing the mixture you have applied. Then, dry with a clean cloth.

How to clean greasy plug sockets

Vinegar is a powerful cleaner for removing the grease stuck to the plug sockets in the kitchen. Use an old toothbrush to sanitise the edges where the more stubborn dirt hides and make sure everything is completely dry.