Best practices - cleaning contacts!

Really once before you assemble your rig is enough.

A lot use Craig Deoxit

Should also clean AC plugs. Inside IEC AC plug..For the lazy, but willing, just the fat of unplugging and replugging helps a lot. SO for the lazy, but willing, this is a good idea maybe once a year.
For those with more interest and willing to do a little work...
Cleaning interconnects with alcohol using cotton wipes, Q-Tips.. (for inside the RCA barrel, pluck most of the cotton off, crush the paper stick with a pliers to work best. Then apply Caig "Gold’ (Deoxit usually is the 'Red Caig. the Gold is good, more for actual Gold or Rhodium plated, the Red is for bare copper) with the applicator brush and WIPE IT OFF. the ideal amount left is a few molecules thick... so if you can feel it, you left too much on’ Bare copper AC plugs can be cleaned better with a copper cleaner first. then use the Caif GOld.(I use an automotive product to clean AC plugs, Meguiare’s "Scratch X" Takes tarnish off copper great, and polishes it. Then I use Caig Pro gold. I do the INSIDE of the IEC plugs too. (even if plated) usually they are really dirty inside! For the IEC I again use Q-Tips, flattened with a pliers half the cotton removed.. Some Scratch X, then Gold.
If your speaker spades or bananas are bare copper. same treatment.
Once a year. maybe if lazy once every two years...

Thanks!  Elizabeth a few follow ups.  Lots of different Deoxit Golds—is this the one I want?

https://caig.com/product/deoxit-gold-g5s-6/

Could I use something like this on banana plugs etc?

https://caig.com/product/deoxit-gold-k-g1w-25/

I’m a bit confused by the difference between 5% and 100% solution.

Also what are you using to wipe off excess?  Q tip?  Would a pipe cleaner also work?

Thanks!

Margot

NO.. You want the little bottle of 100%https://www.amazon.com/DeoxIT-G100L-Brush-Applicator-7-4mL/dp/B01FFV8MEO/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=caig+go...This bottle will last you ten years.. (if you do not spill it)I am still using the last of a bottle I bought at least twelve years ago...Only the 100% will last like that. it does not evaporate or go bad.The red, which is stronger cleaning power.. more for unplated copper, silver.Is: https://www.amazon.com/CAIG-Laboratories-D100L-2DB-Electric-Cleaner/dp/B0002BBVN2/ref=pd_day0_hl_469...Usually after I clean with the red, I apply the Gold. (and wipe it mostly off. as mentioned. You do NOT need the Red unless you want to clean bare copper or bare silver. The Gold is all you need for Gold or Rhodium plated connectors.
I wipe it off with a paper towel. But I use Viva Paper towels, which really are way more like cotton than like paper. Only the full sheet type rolls, not pattern, nor color design! not half sheets... All those have been altered from the original. Only the full sheet plain is still really good.I polish CDs with Viva, I wax my car with Viva. (try polishing a CD with any other paper towel Yikes no way.)For tight spaces yeah a Q-Tip (like inside a male chassis mount IEC. or the inside of a Male RCA. I never try to do the inside of the female RCA.. But other folks use Dentist Root Canal bits The ’Black, and the ’Red are the best sizes. I have never tried to buy them. Other folks claim they work well for female RCA and tube sockets.I was just reading about them today, but I lost the spot I saw it. Found it link to A.A. post https://www.audioasylum.com/audio/general/messages/74/743531.html