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What is the best way to clean a cable that has gotten sticky. I know the best thing to do is to not get them sticky in the first place, but after time they get dirty/sticky all by themselves.
Lets assume that there are no breaks or cuts in the outside of the cable.
How would one best clean the outside of a cable of stickiness without damaging it more.
For delicate cables use dish washing soap and warm water with a clean rag. Do not tug or squeeze on the cable too hard and be extra gentle with anything that has twisted pair.
For not so delicate cables rubbing alcohol on a clean rag then applied should do the trick.
When I was a a corporate photo/video shooter I found the "desk and office cleaner" everyone had worked pretty well with paper towels. Now that I shoot in the third world, it is Lysol wipes when i get back to the studio. And it is terrifying how many it takes until they come out clean...
Goo Gone. Put it on a cloth, rub it on the sticky part of the cable. Let it sit for a minute, then rub off with a dry cloth. Repeat if necessary. For this or any of the other suggested procedures, it would be a good idea to test on a small non-critical part of the cable. I've never had a problem with it though.
goo-gone or butane lighter fluid will remove just about any gunk that has built up on your cables.
