How to Create a Custom Cotton Swab

Written By: Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Comments: 0

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

Time Required

5 - 10 minutes

Introduction

Use this guide to create a custom cotton swab for cleaning electronic components with small openings, such as charging ports.

Most commercially-sold cotton swabs are too thick to fit into small openings or have wispy cotton that gets caught on sharp edges. These custom cotton swabs are thinner and have compacted cotton to make your device-cleaning life easier.

Tools

Step 1

Find a small object with a pointed end, such as:
A toothpick
A spudger
The end of a flossing pick
Avoid metal objects, like paperclips, or anything brittle that might break off in the charging port.

Step 2

Pull off a small part of a cotton ball.
You only need a small amount of cotton—enough to create a thin layer around your tool.

Step 3

Wrap the cotton around the tip of your tool.
Roll the cotton between your fingers to compress it into a thin layer.

Step 4

Test your cotton swab on your device to see if it fits.
If your swab doesn't fit, remove any excess cotton and reroll your cotton so it's compressed and tight along the tip of your tool.
If the swab still doesn't fit, you may need to find a different tool altogether.
Your custom cotton swab is ready! Return to where you left off in your guide.

Conclusion

For other general electronics skills guides, click here.

Author

Alex Diaz-Kokaisl

Member since: 16/01/22

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