Keep Google Nest products clean to help them continue to work properly.
In general, you can gently dust the outside of Nest products with a soft, lint-free cloth.
If your product needs cleaning more thoroughly, follow the recommendations in this article.
Nest thermostats
Important: Do not spray Nest thermostats directly with water, or use cleaning solutions or polishes, as doing so may damage your thermostat.
Follow the steps below to clean any Nest thermostat.
- Lightly dampen a soft, clean cloth with water.
- Wring out any excess water from the cloth.
- Gently wipe the display and sides of the thermostat, making sure that no drops of water accumulate around the ring or in the grill at the bottom of the display.
Nest Temperature Sensor
Important: Do not spray water directly onto Nest Temperature Sensors, submerge in water, or use abrasive cleaning solutions or polishes.
If your Temperature Sensor gets a little dusty, gently wipe with a slightly damp cloth..
If it’s really dirty, use isopropyl alcohol.
Nest cameras
In general, you should clean your Nest camera like you would any other high-quality optics.
If your video always seems to be out of focus in a particular area, check the lens for debris. Any glare from the sun will also be worse when the lens is dirty.
Important cleaning tips
- Use a soft, lint-free cloth. Do not use paper towels, tissues or rags to clean your camera. These materials can leave lint behind and can even scratch lens coatings.
- Don’t clean your camera with glass cleaner for windows and mirrors, rubbing alcohol or other household cleaners. These cleaning fluids might contain harsh chemicals and can leave behind residue.
- Do not submerge your camera in water or any other liquid.
Indoor cameras
These instructions apply to the following cameras:
- Nest Cam Indoor
- Nest Cam IQ Indoor
- Nest Cam battery that has been installed indoors
- Nest Cam Indoor (2nd gen)
Clean the body
Wipe it down with a soft, damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt.
Clean the lens
Gently wipe away any dust with a soft, lint-free cloth. Cleaning cloths for glasses and optics are ideal for removing dust and oily fingerprints without damaging the lens coating. You can also use a compressed-air duster made for electronics.
For tougher smudges, such as oily fingerprints on the lens, you can dampen the cloth with a drop of cleaning solution made for cameras, glasses and other optics.
Outdoor cameras
These instructions apply to the following cameras:
- Nest Cam Outdoor
- Nest Cam IQ Outdoor
- Nest Cam battery that has been installed outdoors
Over time, your camera may collect dust, pollen, water spots and other types of debris from its outdoor environment.
Clean the lens
- Hold your camera in place and gently wipe your camera’s lens with a soft, lint-free cloth. If you like, you can use compressed air to blow off dust and particles.
- If there are water marks or other materials on the lens, you can moisten a soft cloth with a little water and gently wipe the lens clean. You could also use a drop of cleaning solution made for cameras, glasses and other optics.
Clean the body, the power adaptor or the power cables
Note: Although outdoor Nest cameras are designed to withstand the elements, we don’t recommend spraying one with a high-pressure hose. Make sure that you wipe it down with a soft cloth after cleaning to prevent water spots, which can obstruct your camera’s view.
- Unplug your camera from the power socket.
- Moisten a soft cloth with water and a little washing-up liquid.
- While holding your camera in place with one hand, gently wipe the surface clean with the cloth in your other hand. Be careful not to get any soap on the lens.
- Rinse the cloth, and wipe down the surfaces again to remove any remaining soap.
- Plug your camera back in.
Clean and remove water from the Nest Cam (battery) magnetic connector
- If an accessory (like a camera stand) is connected to the camera, disconnect it.
- Use a dry cloth or a cotton bud to absorb the water present in the magnetic connector area until dry.
- Use the same method to clean the connector of any camera accessory before you reattach it.
Video doorbells
Over time, your video doorbell may collect dust, pollen, water spots and other types of debris from its outdoor environment.
Important cleaning tips
- Do not use paper towels, tissues or rags to clean your doorbell. These materials can leave lint behind and can even scratch the lens coating.
- Don’t clean your doorbell with glass cleaner for windows and mirrors, rubbing alcohol or other household cleaners. These cleaning fluids may contain harsh chemicals and can leave behind residue.
- Do not submerge your doorbell in water or any other liquid.
Nest doorbells
Note: Although Nest doorbells are designed to withstand the elements, we don’t recommend spraying it with a high-pressure hose. Make sure that you wipe it down with a soft cloth after cleaning to prevent water spots, which can obstruct your camera’s view.
Gently wipe your camera’s lens and body with a soft, lint-free cloth. If you like, you can use compressed air to blow off dust and particles.
If there are water spots or other materials on the lens, you can moisten a soft cloth with a little water and gently wipe the lens clean and wipe down the body. You could also use a drop of cleaning solution made for cameras, glasses and other optics.
Like any smoke alarm, dust build-up on the outside or inside of Nest Protect can stop it from working properly. Therefore, as part of standard ongoing maintenance, you may need to thoroughly clean the outside and inside of your Nest Protect.
For regular maintenance, wipe the outside of your Nest Protect with a soft, slightly damp cloth.
If it needs cleaning more thoroughly, take it off the wall or ceiling and follow the steps below.
Important cleaning tips
Nest Protect sensors can be damaged by common cleaning chemicals, paint or too much water. Please follow these guidelines:
- Never use detergents or solvents (such as glass cleaner).
- Don't spray air fresheners, hairspray or other aerosols near your Nest Protect. These chemicals will damage it and can stop it from working.
- Don't get water inside your Nest Protect.
- Don't paint any part of your Nest Protect. Paint will seal the vents and affect its ability to detect smoke and carbon monoxide.
Clean the smoke chamber
There are different cleaning instructions for the smoke chamber of 1st and 2nd generation Nest Protects.
2nd gen Nest Protect
- Remove your Protect from the wall or the ceiling (turn anticlockwise until it comes off the back plate). Detach the power connector if required.
- Wipe the outside with a clean, slightly damp cloth. Don't use soap or solvents.
- Place the Nest Protect on a soft, dry cloth with the Nest button facing down. Open the battery compartment door and remove the batteries. This door is designed to stay open until they're all replaced.
- Remove the screws and lift off the back.
- Gently vacuum the inside. Make sure that you clean all the way around the mesh sides of the smoke chamber (the large metal circle).
- Before you put your Protect back on the wall or ceiling, you may want to clean the area where it connects to the wall or ceiling.
1st gen Nest Protect
- Remove your Protect from the ceiling or wall. Twist it anticlockwise, being careful to gently pull and unplug connectors if you're cleaning a wired Nest Protect.
- Wipe the outside of the Nest Protect with a clean, slightly damp cloth. Don't use soap or solvents.
- Place your Protect down on a soft, dry cloth with the Nest button facing down. You can prop one side up to avoid pressing the button accidentally.
- Unscrew the back of your Protect. Be careful not to lose either of the screws.
- Remove the batteries.
- Use a can of dry, compressed air – the kind used to clean computer keyboards – to move the air from one corner of the battery cover to the other, with a sweeping motion.
- Make sure that you blow into the smoke chamber, the large circle in the middle of your Protect. Carefully blow air all around the chamber. Don't try to remove the smoke chamber itself.
- Finish by blowing air across your Protect, just like you did with the battery cover.
- Place the batteries back into your Protect. Wait a minute, until you hear 'Hello, from Nest'. If Nest doesn't speak again, screw the battery cover back on. If it begins to sound an alarm or chirp, you may have to give it another few blasts of compressed air.
- Before you put your Protect back on the wall or ceiling, you may want to clean the area where it connects to the wall or ceiling.
Nest Secure alarm system
Both Nest Detect and Guard should be cleaned once every month. If the motion sensor gets dirty, the detection range might decrease.
Gently wipe your Detect or Guard with a slightly damp cloth.
If it’s really dirty, you can use isopropyl alcohol.
If your Detect was having trouble sensing motion before cleaning, follow the testing instructions.
Nest × Yale lock
Important cleaning tips
Do not use solvents or abrasive cleaners on any components as this will destroy the protective clear coat finish.
Avoid products that state on the label that they remove tarnish and rust or that they contain acids or caustic agents.
Clean the lock
- Lightly dampen a soft, clean cloth with water. A mild soap solution will remove oil or accumulated dirt build-up. Wring out any excess water from the cloth.
- Gently wipe the front display, including the sides of the keypad, to remove fingerprints.
- Gently wipe the back of the lock, making sure that no drops of water accumulate around the thumb turn and battery cover.