Rid Your Collection of Stickers and Sharpie

There's a good chance you have some unsightly games like this in your collection:

Photo by Plat on Flickr. Background removed. (CC BY 2.0)

Be it a cartridge or a disc case, unsightly sticker residue and writing are enough to make any collection appear downright repulsive. Every collector needs some basic products to rid of these marks: cotton swabs, Goo Gone, 91% isopropyl alcohol, and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original.

Cotton Swabs

As you're probably well aware, Q-tips are perfect for cleaning cartridge contacts. Additionally, they're useful tools for removing sticker residue when combined with isopropyl alcohol or Goo Gone.  

Avoid cotton swabs with plastic shafts—these bend under the slightest pressure.  

Goo Gone

This is powerful stuff. Dip a Q-tip into Goo Gone and apply to sticker residue. Allow it to soak for a moment, and gently scrape off excess with a paper towel. Take care to not allow any to touch the game's label.

If cleaning a DVD-style case, remove the artwork insert while cleaning. Applying any pressure  where the case has indentations will dent the artwork, thus permanently damaging it.

91% Isopropyl Alcohol

Chances are you already have this for keeping cartridge contacts clean. It's also a great solvent for removing less-stubborn sticker residue.

A benefit of isopropyl alcohol over Goo Gone is that it does not leave a greasy texture. Apply some to a paper towel to wipe up excess Goo Gone. Like Goo Gone, keep it away from labels. Rubbing non-glossy labels can remove the color. The same can happen if you wipe it across the lettering of a NES's front flap.

Also, use it as a first resort for removing Sharpie marks. Buy it at any drugstore.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original

Magic Erasers can also clean matte console exteriors. 

Sometimes isopropyl alcohol isn't quite enough to remove Sharpie marks. If this is the case, it's time to use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Original.

These are essentially very soft sandpaper. Use them only as a last resort, and do not use a Magic Eraser on a glossy surface—scratches will ensue.

Generics can be purchased instead of the pricey brand-name product from Mr. Clean. Find them among cleaning products.

A Successful Cleanup:

Photo by Plat on Flickr. Background removed. (CC BY 2.0)

Yes, this is the same game pictured above. This game has a glossy label, so it was possible to briefly apply Goo Gone to the label. Had the label been absorbent, damaged would have occurred. Had any solution made contact with the edge of the label, the label could have been stained. This is a job well done.