Learning how to clean your DJ gear is essential to prolonging its lifespan and ensuring that it performs at 100% for your next set.

 

DJ Controllers, Mixers, and other equipment will - no matter how well stored - inevitably be exposed to dirt, dust, moisture, and all sorts of other substances. It can quickly accumulate in electronic devices, whether you like it or not.

 

So if you keep reading, I promise that your DJ equipment can get a proper overhaul and look as good as new again, without you having to pay hefty sums for repairs and new spare parts.

 

😮‍💨 Why should you clean your DJ equipment?

I generally don't like stating the obvious, but now I'm doing it anyway. It's a very good exercise to remind yourself why you spend time on it. Here are the most important reasons why you should remember to clean your DJ equipment:

 

  • To ensure that your equipment works as it should. Always.
  • Dirt, dust, and other grime can easily settle in your equipment and can potentially cause damage in the long run.
  • Dirt can block heat exhaust, trapping hot air inside and increasing the chance of overheating your equipment.
  • Sweat, drink residues, and other sticky substances can build up over time if not removed immediately after use.
  • If you bring your equipment to events and gatherings, the condition of your setup says a lot about you. Therefore, it's preferable for it to look sharp and clean.
  • And of course, there's also a health aspect. The more often you clean it, the less chance there is of picking up harmful bacteria from it.

 

🤷🏼‍♂️ What DJ equipment should you clean?

Again, to be on the safe side, let's go through a few essential things as a fresh reminder. So here's a quick overview of the equipment you should keep clean and tidy. Whether you've invested in the latest gear available or you're playing on older turntables, it's impossible to avoid some wear and tear over time.

 

We just want to make sure it lasts as long as possible!

 

  • DJ Controllers
  • DJ Mixers
  • CDJs
  • DJ Headphones
  • Microphones
  • Your computer, if you play with it
  • DJ Turntables
  • Vinyl records, if you play with them

 

Now, let's jump into the cleaning process!

 

🧽 What cleaning tools do you need?

Whether you run a rental company or you're a casual or professional DJ, you need the right tools to do the job properly. So I've compiled the list for you below:

 

A microfiber cloth

  • A microfiber cloth is designed for non-stick dirt, making it essential for your equipment as it won't leave marks or scratches.

 

A lightly damp absorbent cloth

  • If you have any moist spots, sweat, or drink residues on your equipment, you can use a lightly damp cloth to gently wipe it off before any other dirt sticks to it.

 

A vacuum cleaner

  • If you attach the soft vacuum head to your vacuum cleaner, you can effectively remove dust from hard-to-reach places. For example, under your crossfader and other buttons on the mixer where there are holes.

 

A compressed air can (Air Duster)

  • This will become your best friend! Just like with the vacuum cleaner, compressed air in cans can really get into the hard-to-reach places, and it's highly effective.

 

Disinfectant/alcohol of some form

  • It's not suitable to pour soapy water over your equipment, so use a light alcohol spray/disinfectant to remove dirt from surfaces that are hard to clean and generally disinfect your equipment.

 

A toothbrush

  • Last but not least, a small toothbrush can be super handy for your equipment. It can get into hard-to-reach places and is generally good for getting under all buttons and knobs.

All these products are quite inexpensive and can be bought at almost any hardware store, for example. They should be super easy to find.

 

🎚️ How do you clean your DJ equipment?

DJs use different equipment, of course. Therefore, I've chosen to divide the article a bit so you can jump directly to the equipment you're here to learn how to clean. 

 

Remember that all your equipment can technically be cleaned, and I strongly recommend it.

 

1) Clean your CDJs & Controllers

Your CDJs and controllers are typically the most used during a session. So these will be a really good place to start.

 

Clean your DJ controller

  1. Start with a soft cloth to wipe off all the visible sweat, drinks, and other dirt you can see on your controller.
  2. Then wipe with minimal water, so you don't damage the electronics in your equipment. Use a lightly damp cloth, so you also don't damage your digital displays.
  3. Use your air duster can to spray into your faders and knobs to get as much dust out as possible.
  4. Then switch to the microfiber cloth and use it to be extra efficient on the surface.
  5. Now you need your alcohol/disinfectant. Use it to disinfect the surface to kill all bacteria.
  6. Finally, use a dry cloth or let it air dry before putting it back in your flight case - if you use one, of course.

 

It's important to be thorough. There are many fingers on a DJ controller or CDJs, even if they're just your own. By cleaning regularly, you'll have your units for much longer.

 

2) Clean your DJ Mixer

Cleaning and maintaining your DJ mixer is just as important as cleaning your CDJs and Controller. If you're a real mixer wiz, there's a lot of tweaking, pressing, and fading on your mixer, so a good signal is important. You get that by cleaning it!

 

On your mixer, there are a few components we need to be extra careful about before starting the cleaning process. The crossfader, channel faders, and switches on the EQ panel.

 

Here are your steps for cleaning your mixer:

  1. Remove all visible dust and dirt by using the air duster can together with the toothbrush.
  2. Afterwards, use the regular lightly damp cloth to remove the more stubborn stains that require a little extra effort.
  3. You might also need to pay attention to the inside of the mixer. Again, with the combination of air duster and toothbrush, so you get all dust and dirt out from there.
  4. Now we need to remove the shell of the mixer. We do this by unscrewing it and being very careful, and again here we use the air duster to remove dust from inside. NOTE. Do not use brushes, fingers, or anything else at this step.

 

3) Clean your DJ Turntables

DJ turntables and turntables in general have significantly more components and different moving parts that you won't find on other DJ equipment, requiring a different approach to cleaning.

 

These include the needle, pick-ups, pitch slider, and of course, the general shell, platter, and vinyl mat.

 

Let's jump into the steps for cleaning your turntable:

  1. Start by gently removing the pick-up from the tonearm and lay it down gently, so the needle points upwards.
  2. Gently brush it off or use your air duster to remove all dust, etc., from the needle.
  3. Take the vinyl mat off and brush it off by either using the vacuum cleaner or a lightly damp cloth on both sides until it's free of dirt.
  4. Wipe the entire platter with alcohol/disinfectant or a lightly damp cloth and let it dry or use a dry cloth to wipe it off.
  5. Then use the air duster again to remove dust or dirt from your pitch slider and finish by wiping around the slider and tonearm itself.

 

4) Clean your DJ Computer

Some DJs play with a computer as part of their setup. That, of course, also makes your computer a piece of gear that needs to be cleaned.

 

So, let's get started with the computer:

  1. Start by turning off the computer and open it so it stands with the screen open.
  2. Then use the air duster to remove dust and dirt from your keyboard and screen. Also, turn it over and shake off any excess dirt.
  3. Use a vacuum cleaner, with the soft head, to suck up extra dust, being extra careful and without scratching the surface.
  4. Then find your microfiber cloth and use it gently across your screen and keyboard, or wherever you can see dirt until it's completely clean.
  5. Finally, close the computer and wipe the outside until it looks nice and clean.

 

Summary

Whether you find it tedious or not, it's just super important to clean your equipment occasionally. If you use your console for gigs and are generally very active with it, I would highly recommend doing a quick clean after every job and a thorough clean once a month.

 

If it's just sitting at home for practice, I would say once every three months is appropriate.