To clean a PS5 controller, switch it off, unplug it and wipe it with a microfibre cloth lightly dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol, then use cotton buds around the sticks and buttons. Never spray liquid straight onto the DualSense or run it under a tap; it isn’t water-resistant.
What you need
- Microfibre cloth (two if you can: one damp, one dry)
- 70% isopropyl alcohol, sold at most chemists. Stronger 90%+ alcohol dries fast but can cloud or dry out some plastics with repeated use.
- Cotton buds and a wooden toothpick
- Compressed air (optional) or a clean, dry soft brush
Skip bleach, kitchen sprays, window cleaner, baby wipes with lotion and anything abrasive. They strip the coating and leave a sticky film.
Cleaning the shell and buttons
- Turn the controller off (hold the PS button, or switch off the console) and remove the USB cable.
- Dampen the cloth with alcohol: damp, not wet. Squeeze out any drips.
- Wipe the grips, touchpad and back, working from top to bottom.
- Go over the face buttons gently. Repeated soaking with alcohol can wear button finishes, so a light wipe is enough.
- Run a dry cotton bud or toothpick along the seams to lift grime. Don’t push anything into the USB-C port or headphone jack.
- Dry with the second cloth and let it air for five minutes.
Shared pads in gaming lounges or a busy household? A quick alcohol wipe of the grips and buttons between users helps with germs and is easy on the plastic.
White controller stains
The white finish shows hand oil and dust in the grip area first. Wipe it every week or two with the alcohol cloth before it builds up. For stubborn grey patches, some people use a slightly damp melamine sponge (“magic eraser”), very lightly: it’s mildly abrasive and can dull the matte texture, so test a small hidden spot first. Yellowing from sunlight and age doesn’t wipe off.
Cleaning around the sticks
Dust collects in the ring under each thumbstick, especially in dry seasons.
- Push the stick to one side and wipe the exposed base with an alcohol-dampened cotton bud.
- Repeat in all four directions, then rotate the stick in full circles.
- Give short bursts of compressed air around the base, holding the can upright.
- Clean the rubber caps with the cloth; a toothpick lifts dirt from the grooves.
If the stick still moves on its own afterwards, see our PS5 stick drift fixes.
Should you open it?
For cleaning, no. Opening a DualSense means unclipping the shell, disconnecting fine ribbon cables and working around the battery. It’s easy to tear a cable or crack a clip, and it can affect your warranty.
Leave opening to a gaming repair technician when there’s a real fault, such as worn sticks or a sticky trigger after a spill. For the console itself, follow our guide on how to clean a PS5.
Quick answers
Wipe it with a microfibre cloth lightly dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol, focusing on the grips, then dry it. Clean it often so oil and dust don’t build up into stains.
Yes, 70% isopropyl alcohol on a cloth or cotton bud is fine. Don’t spray or pour it onto the controller, and don’t soak the buttons.
Not for routine cleaning. The ribbon cables and battery are easy to damage, and it may affect warranty, so leave repairs to a technician.
