How to Clean and Store Circuit Cubes Parts So They Last
By Circuit Cubes | Tenka Inc. | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Tips & Care
A practical, step-by-step routine for cleaning and storing Circuit Cubes parts so gears, rims, switches, and batteries stay reliable build after build.
Quick answer
Clean Circuit Cubes parts with a dry, soft brush or a barely damp cloth, never by soaking or rinsing them. Store everything fully dry, separated by type in a lidded container, and remove batteries from cubes before any long break. That single routine prevents most of the grit, corrosion, and lost-part problems that shorten a set's life.
Why cleaning and storage habits matter more than you think
Circuit Cubes parts are small and mechanical. A 16-tooth gear or an 18 x 14 wheel rim works because its surfaces and fit are predictable, and that predictability disappears when dust, hair, or sticky residue builds up. Cleaning is not about making parts shiny; it is about keeping tolerances and contacts consistent.
Storage does the other half of the job. Parts that sit loose in a bin get scratched, bent, or lost, and cubes stored with batteries left in can suffer corrosion over months of inactivity. A five-minute routine after each build session costs far less than replacing parts.
What you need before you start
You do not need a special kit. A soft-bristle brush (a clean toothbrush works), a lint-free cloth, cotton swabs, a shallow tray, and a lidded storage box with dividers cover almost every situation. Keep water away from battery cubes and switch cubes entirely; a dry method is the default for anything with contacts or electronics.
Work over the tray so small pieces cannot roll onto the floor. This is the single most effective way to avoid losing a gear or rim mid-clean.
Step-by-step: clean and store your Circuit Cubes
- 1. Disconnect and remove batteries first: Separate every cube from its build and take batteries out of the battery cube before cleaning anything. Mistake to avoid: cleaning a powered cube, which risks shorting contacts or pushing debris into a live connection. Checkpoint: no cube should be connected or powered when you begin.
- 2. Dry-brush the mechanical parts: Brush gears, rims, axles, and connectors over your tray with a soft brush, working dust out of teeth and crevices. For a 16-tooth gear, brush along the tooth line rather than across it so you do not bend teeth. Checkpoint: no visible dust or hair remains in the teeth or hub.
- 3. Wipe electronics and switches with a barely damp cloth: Wipe the outside of battery cubes and switch cubes with a cloth that is almost dry, then dry immediately with a second cloth. Never rinse, soak, or spray these parts. Mistake to avoid: letting moisture sit around the lever arm or slide switch of an NO/NC switch cube. Checkpoint: the housing is fully dry before it goes back in the box.
- 4. Let everything air-dry completely: Spread parts on a dry towel in a single layer for at least an hour, longer in humid conditions. Mistake to avoid: packing parts away while any moisture remains, which encourages corrosion on contacts and metal axles. Checkpoint: nothing feels cool or damp to the touch.
- 5. Sort and store by type in a lidded container: Use dividers or small bags so gears, rims, and cubes do not rub together. Keep heavy cubes at the bottom and light parts like rims in a shallow top compartment so they cannot be crushed. Store the box somewhere dry and out of direct sun. Checkpoint: the lid closes flat with no parts pressing against it.
- 6. Set a periodic check for long-term storage: If a set will sit unused for weeks, recheck it monthly: confirm batteries are still out, look for any white or green residue on contacts, and re-brush gears that have been sitting exposed. Mistake to avoid: assuming a closed box means nothing changed. Next step: label the box with the date you stored it so you know when to recheck.
Parts and cubes this routine applies to
- Gear - 16 Teeth - #94925: Replacement 16-tooth gear, part #94925, supplied as a single gear. Gear teeth are the easiest place for grit and hair to collect, so brush each gear individually rather than tossing a handful back in the bin.
- Wheel Rim - 18 x 14 - #55982: Replacement wheel rim, 18 x 14, part #55982, supplied as one rim. Rims are thin and can warp if stored under heavy parts, so give them their own shallow compartment.
- NO/NC Switch Cube: NO/NC switch cube with a slide switch and a lever arm; NO closes the circuit when the lever is pressed, NC keeps it closed until pressed. The lever arm and slide are the parts most likely to be damaged by liquid or forced cleaning, so wipe the housing only and never immerse it.
