This is slightly embarrassing but my power outlets are…grodie. Doesn't it look like it's crying out? It would be one thing if it was hidden behind the sofa but this is in plain view above the stove. However with a little elbow grease (about the amount of a Smurf) it's clean, clean, clean.
What You Need
Tools
Q-tips
Formula 409
Screwdriver
Razor Blade (if you have excess caulking to remove)
Instructions
1. Shut your power off.
2. Remove the power plate cover. You can simply wipe this down but since mine was cracked I bought a new at the hardware store for just $1.99.
3. Spray a little 409 on a Q-tip and dab it on a paper towel so it's not dripping. Then carefully wipe away the grease and muck. Much like your ear canal, don't stick the Q-tip inside the socket.
4. If you have caulking or paint around the edges of your switch, gently scrape away using a razor blade.
5. Replace the cover and you're finished! Look how happy he looks.
Additional Notes: Thanks to Apartment Therapy readers for helping us update step one, safety first!
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Images: Geoff Bentz
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i stupidly tried a similar task with a metal nail file. blew out the power in half my place in a shower of sparks. i consider it a giant handslap from my guardian angels.
Yeah, step 1 should be to turn off the power at your electrical panel, especially if you're using metal tools like a razor blade.
Is there a reason that we're not throwing the breaker before messing with the electric outlet? Better safe than fried.
WHOA - can we take a step back for a minute and address the reason that the right hand socket fixture appears to collect so much grease/grime? Even after replacing the cracked faceplate (which does WONDERS for the appearance BTW for a mere $ 1.99) the socket fits terribly. You could easily take a few minutes to straighten out the socket and then shim them slightly so they are flush with the faceplate when the plate is screwed down tight. I would also apply either a die-cut foam socket gasket or squirt some (NON-expanding) foam in there to 1.) protect the area behind the socket from the cast offs from the stove and 2.) assuming this is some sort of external wall; especially if the stove is on it; to prevent heat loss through the socket itself. No disrespect meant, it's just this Hack needed to be upgraded with a little common sense.
we've been replacing a lot of the sockets in our house- some of them are still 2 prong. The weirdest thing though- one socket in the living room was PAINTED the same color as the wall. As in green wall, brushed nickel faceplate, green painted socket. Yea... no cleaning there. Just replacing.
This post is kind of sketchy -- power off should be step one!
Thank you for using the word 'grodie'! But, as others have pointed out you missed the most crucial step - turning off the power.
Technically, the power is supposed to be turned off even when just removing the faceplate, in case some wiring is loose (much less when using cleaning liquid and a metal razor blade near the outlets...) I also agree about trying to shim the right plug to fit better - again, with power OFF. Considering they must be near a grease source, I might even get some of these:
http://www.onestepahead.com/catalog/product.jsp?productId=535886&cm_ven=Froogle&cm_cat=NA&cm_pla=NA&cm_ite=15372
bdsimmons is right on the money -
- oftentimes these get grimey from air infiltration due to poor insultion in older construction - some foam and that little gasket will not only prevent the dirt from filtering in but will help cut your heating costs.
Definitely power off. I was simply replacing a prominent switchplate cover in my rental kitchen, and some gentle torque on the outlet caused it to pop, smoke and trip the breaker. Turns out the outlet-which BTW looked like a 3 yr old installed it-was like a loose tooth in the wall and one of the contacts was able to touch drywall screwhead. A little scary when smoke starts coming out of outlet. I've since had the whole thing replaced and made sure it was wired neatly, straight and secure this time.
Are you people blind or has the post been changed since the remarks about step 1 power should be off? Because I clearly see 1. shut your power off. Also you can buy those little foam insulated covers that fit inside of the faceplate at any hardware store or Walmart for practically nothing.
ok my bad i see it was updated, lol
um just me but uh... i would address how and why your outlet gets dirty to that extreme before i moved on to the cleaning part.
and your outlet would look happier with some insulation.
'Grodie' gave me a smile!
@leehou: Do you (or anyone) know where I can find larger faceplates in NYC? I have an outlet like the one pictured with wall damage near it that is not covered by a standard faceplate. I'd love to put up a larger one to cover the hole in the wall but I can't find them.
Green Cat, Try Gracious Home in NYC
Robin
Most home improvement/big box stores carry various sizes and colors of plates. I love the new ones with the hidden screws. They look so much neater and are easier to keep clean.
a few IDEAL Spacer Shims in the electrical box itself will help make it flush to the faceplate