Can you clean out your VCR with vinegar?

Answer 1

No. Electronics don't like liquids. Water, vinegar, and other household cleaners don't evaporate quickly. Instead, try medical rubbing alcohol -- available at any drugstore or K-Mart, Walmart, etc. And a VCR cleaning tape available from K-Mart, Walmart, etc. Buy two.

1. First, always unplug electronics before attempting cleaning. Disconnect the cable from the TV. Ask a second person to help you with the tasks.
2. Second, you could put the hose of a vacuum cleaner against the open door of the VCR to draw out big clumps of dust and debris. Do NOT use hose attachments inside the unit.
3. Third, put light colored cloth under the unit, then, tip the unit so the door is downward while holding the door open . Lightly tap the unit all over so dirt and debris fall toward the open door onto the cloth. Carefully roll the fabric and set the unit back down.
4. Fourth, dampen the end of a Q-tip with rubbing alcohol and dab (do NOT rub) as far into the unit as you can reach. (You will NOT reach the heads.) Be careful not to catch the cotton on anything; don't leave cotton fibers in the unit.
   
5. Fifth, let the unit sit, unplugged, for 15 minutes. Then, reattach the cables and plug back in. Turn the unit on. Read instructions for the VCR Cleaning Tape; insert it, let it run. This will clean the Heads. You might need to re-run the cleaning tape cassette, depending on how dirty the unit has become. Check the package--it will state how many times the same cleaning tape can be reused. (When "used up" for the maximum number of times, throw it away.)
6. You might need to redo settings between TV and VCR. Then, use an unimportant tape to test the unit. If the tape runs okay, you should be set to watch your favorite tapes. If it doesn't run okay, try the cleaner tape again.

*Note: Internal problems cannot be fixed with just a cleaner tape. The unit might just be shot and unfixable.