Finding a great secondhand tech item is exciting, but properly cleaning and sanitizing it before use is essential since you never know how dirty something is. Whether it's a vintage record player, usable smartphone, or cool SLR camera, extending the life of these products saves money and benefits the environment.

After bringing an item home, make sure it's unplugged and turned off. Use a soft microfiber cloth to wipe it down, removing dirt and fingerprints—especially important for screens. Avoid liquid cleaners containing chlorine, peroxides, solvents, or ammonia, which can damage internal components or screen coatings. Special tech cleaning solutions from brands like Whoosh! and Tech2Clean are safe alternatives. For items with small crevices like laptops or keyboards, turn the device over, give it a light shake, and use compressed air to remove trapped dust.

To remove caked-on gunk, use a soft cotton swab with a tiny amount of isopropyl alcohol, applying gentle strokes. This is especially important for earbuds and acoustic vents. Clean rubber ear tips thoroughly and let items air dry completely before turning them back on. Don't forget accessories like cases, chargers, and cables. Removable fabric bands for smartwatches can be washed on a gentle cycle, or replaced with new third-party options. For extra sanitization, consider portable UV sanitizers from brands like Phonesoap or Homedics, which gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic.