When cleaning the house, people often focus on the floor, kitchen, windows, and furniture; however, there is another item whose cleaning tends to be postponed—the wall switches. These switches, used daily to turn on lights, fans, and other electrical appliances, become dirty and yellow over time. They get particularly soiled near the kitchen, where dust mixes with grease and lubricant, making the surface sticky.
In such cases, many people buy expensive cleaning agents, whereas simple items found in the kitchen can be used for cleaning. With some kitchen ingredients, it is easy to restore dirty, yellowed, and dusty switches to their original appearance. Nevertheless, extreme caution must be observed when cleaning switches. Below are seven simple methods that will help remove dirt from the switches.
- Removing stubborn stains with baking soda: Baking soda is used not only for cooking but also for cleaning various items. It can easily clean switches. It can be applied to remove dirt around them. Mix it into a thick paste and gently rub the switch with a soft cloth or an old toothbrush. This will help eliminate accumulated dirt and restore shine.
- Cleaning grease with white vinegar: White vinegar has acidic properties capable of removing certain types of stains and grease. To clean a switch this way, dampen a cloth with a small amount of vinegar and then proceed with cleaning.
- Removing yellowing with lemon juice: Lemon juice is used to clean various stains in the home. Its acidic properties can help reduce stains on some surfaces. For light spots and yellowing, it is best to apply the juice to a cloth rather than applying it directly to the switch.
- Using salt: Salt can act as an abrasive. It helps separate ingrained dirt. Many use salt in combination with lemon or vinegar for cleaning.
- Dish soap: Dishwashing liquid, intended for washing dishes, can also help bring shine to switches. It is effective for removing grease and oil. A few drops of this agent diluted in water can be used to wipe the switch with a cloth.
- Toothpaste: Toothpaste is also included in the list of cleaning agents. It is used not only for teeth but also for cleaning. Gently rubbing the paste with a soft brush can reduce stains.
- Cornstarch: Cornstarch is capable of absorbing excess grease and dust. It can be used together with a dry cloth, especially if a lot of grease has accumulated on the switch.
When cleaning switches, it is necessary to ensure that the power supply is completely turned off. Simply flipping the switch does not guarantee a complete cessation of electricity supply. Therefore, before starting work, you should de-energize the line through the main switch or circuit breaker. It is strictly forbidden to apply water, vinegar, lemon juice, or any other liquids directly onto the switch. You must also not touch the switch with wet hands or clean it while the electricity is on. If dirt is found inside the panel, if it is loose, or if signs of burning are visible, you should call an electrician instead of cleaning it yourself.