Although this blogger personally prefers the cool, Mac-esque appearance of the Polar White DS (it is, after all, the perfect match for the Wii), there's a good reason I don't own one: it gets hella dirty, hella quickly. It's just fairly unavoidable -- the thing is called a handheld. Hands aren't always clean.Not that DSes of a different shade are much better. Indeed, as beautiful as the DS Lite is, they all have their fair share of grooves for dirt to creep into. Fingerprints on the glossy casing and grime that accumulates around the edges of the screens are particular culprits.
So today's question is simple: what's your cleaning routine for keeping your DS sparkling and muck-free? How often do you give it a clean (you do clean it, right?), and are there any useful techniques you'd like to share for those of us who'd prefer to keep our DSes skinless?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-05-2008 @ 8:26AM
Mike_NJ said...
I used to keep my original Polar White DS Lite in a sleeve chopped off of an old t-shirt. When I pulled it out to play, I'd give it a quick swipe. When the DS was charging, I'd throw the sleeve into the pocket of a pair of pants going into the wash. But dirt-wise it wasn't all that bad, except on the back near the battery cover.
My Onyx DS now though does definitely show fingerprints and dirt MUCH more than the PW did. I keep some soft facial tissues folded in my case to wipe it off when I use it. Also my Nintendo-branded case came with the attached screen wiper thing which I use on the screen.
Also, using a Post-it note to clean the very edges of the screen is useful.
Otherwise, I make sure I keep my hands cleanish and if I've just eaten or something I wash my hands completely.
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6-05-2008 @ 9:17AM
Kimiko said...
It's especially annoying when you notice some dust specks on the touch screen while playing since you can't wipe them away without messing up the game. Besides, the stylus isn't good at wiping away dust.
Oh, and I hate it when you have to suddenly blow into the mic to control a game. There are often droplets on the screens.
A micro-fiber cloth for cleaning glasses works well on the DS too. Though cleaning fingerprints off the back is kinda futile. They'll be back again in a few minutes.
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6-05-2008 @ 9:30AM
Alisha said...
I just use a microfiber cloth... when I remember. Mine doesn't get too bad. I have the pink one btw.
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6-05-2008 @ 9:47AM
mechevar21 said...
I found the white DS to also show less marks and smudges than the darker versions. I use a simple sunglass cleaner clother as well as one of those DS Lite cases from Best Buy with the annoying plastic cut out from the inside.
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6-05-2008 @ 10:10AM
Josh said...
I just wash my hands before playing, and if I know I won't be able to, I just keep them as clean as possible.
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6-05-2008 @ 10:20AM
Chris said...
I have the Hori screen and case protectors. There are 2 protective pieces that go around the d pad and the buttons, making it easy to wipe off the crud. I highly recommend picking up a set if you have not already.
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6-05-2008 @ 10:28AM
Reeve said...
Seconding the Hori protectors. Been using their screen protectors for some time, then sprung for this set when I got an import Lite.
Additionally, I also use a microfiber cloth (the type used for eyeglasses) to wipe over the screens when they get smudged up. Q-Tips are handy for cleaning the touchscreen's edges as well.
6-05-2008 @ 11:19AM
Puddles said...
I have a microfiber cloth that I got from the dollar store, and it works great. I use it on the screens, and on the shiny blue part of my cobalt/black DSL.
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6-05-2008 @ 12:12PM
jruschme said...
My daughter's pink ds Lite has some grime between the edge of the clear layer and the solid pink part of the lower case (imagine dirt under your fingernails). Any suggestions?
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6-06-2008 @ 8:15AM
Lupa said...
Take a Q-tip, dip an end into rubbing alcohol... not so much that it's dripping off but enough that it's saturated, and run it down the seam, pressing in fairly hard.
6-05-2008 @ 12:42PM
Kimiko said...
Jruschme - Maybe you can try Mike_NJ's suggestion of a sticky note to reach in there? Otherwise the only option is to open the whole thing I guess. I think I saw a tutorial on that posted here.
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6-05-2008 @ 4:11PM
Dio said...
I always keep my hands clean, but crud still manages to get onto my DS Lite. It's embarassing sometimes when I share with a friend @[email protected] But I just use a wet paper towel.
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6-05-2008 @ 4:35PM
kodysandwich said...
Wow you guys make me look like shit... I don't think I have ever washed my hands before playing, but its usually in the bathroom because I'm playing it when I make number 2...
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6-05-2008 @ 7:10PM
BlackDS said...
Sunglass Hut sells a cleaner kit, which includes a spray cleaner and a microfiber cloth.
I keep the cloth in my DS Lite case and keep the cleaner bottle at home (or in the glove compartment).
Outside of smudges and fingerprints, my Onyx DS Lite is easy to clean. Plus, it's not going to turn yellowish in spots like the Polar White DS Lite. :)
I also use Hori Screen Protectors, but I consider them protection for my DS screens against scratches, rather than keeping the DS Lite clean.
Peace.
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6-06-2008 @ 6:55PM
Naota said...
I made a little pocket out of microfiber that I keep my DS Lite in
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