How to Care for littleBits Bits and Mounting Boards

Quick answer

Care for littleBits Bits and mounting boards by keeping them dry, dust-free, and stored in a dedicated bit storage solution. Wipe plastic housings with a dry or barely damp cloth, never submerge them, and use a littleBits mounting board to hold circuits together during transport or rearrangement. This simple routine prevents most connection problems and extends the lifespan of your STEM kit.

Why littleBits care is different from general electronics cleaning

littleBits modules snap together with magnetic connectors, so the main enemies are dust, moisture, and physical stress on those connectors. Unlike soldered electronics, you can separate every Bit, which means dirt and stray metal objects can get into the connection points. A consistent littlebits cleaning and storage habit matters more than any single deep clean. The goal is to keep the magnetic faces clean and the plastic housings free of cracks so that every snap stays reliable.

Daily and weekly care habits for busy classrooms

After each class, have students disconnect Bits and return them to labeled bins or a mounting board. This prevents strain on the magnetic connectors and makes the next setup faster. Once a week, inspect the connector faces for dust or debris and wipe them with a dry microfiber cloth. If you notice a Bit that no longer snaps firmly, set it aside and check for bent or dirty contacts before returning it to the general pool. For littlebits classroom organization, assign one student as the kit checker at the end of each session.

How to store Bits so they last through the school year

Store Bits in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Clear plastic bins with adjustable dividers work well for bit storage solutions because you can group by function, such as power, input, and output. Keep the bins on a shelf rather than the floor to avoid accidental kicks and dust. If you use a mounting board, leave the circuit assembled only for short-term display or transport; for long-term storage, separate the Bits to reduce constant magnetic pull on the connectors. Label each bin with the Bit name or color code so students can find and return parts independently.

Cleaning littleBits without causing damage

Never use water, cleaning sprays, or alcohol wipes on littleBits modules. Moisture can reach the internal electronics and cause corrosion or short circuits. For plastic housings, use a dry microfiber cloth or a soft brush to remove dust. If a connector face has sticky residue, lightly dampen a cloth with distilled water, wring it out thoroughly, and wipe only the plastic edge, not the metal contacts. Let the Bit air-dry completely before reconnecting it. For stubborn grime, a dry cotton swab can reach into crevices without adding liquid.

When to retire a Bit or mounting board

Inspect Bits for cracks in the plastic housing, especially around the magnetic connectors. A cracked housing can cause misalignment and unreliable connections, so retire that Bit from student use. Mounting boards should be checked for warping or stripped holes; a warped board will not hold modules securely. If a board no longer grips, replace it rather than forcing Bits into place, which can damage the connectors. Keep a small set of spare mounting boards and high-use Bits on hand so a single failure does not stop a lesson.

Step-by-step littleBits care routine

1. Disconnect and inspect after each use: After a lesson, have students gently pull Bits apart by the plastic housing, not the wires or connectors. Check each magnetic face for dust or debris. Common mistake: pulling on the connector itself can bend contacts. Checkpoint: every Bit should snap back together with a firm click.
2. Clean with dry methods only: Wipe plastic housings and connector faces with a dry microfiber cloth. For crevices, use a dry cotton swab. Avoid water, sprays, and alcohol. Common mistake: using a damp cloth on the metal contacts. Checkpoint: no moisture should be visible before storing.
3. Store in labeled bins or on a mounting board: Sort Bits by function into clear bins with dividers. For short-term transport, secure the circuit on a littleBits mounting board. For long-term storage, separate Bits to reduce constant magnetic pull. Common mistake: leaving circuits assembled for weeks, which can weaken connector tension. Checkpoint: bins are labeled and stored on a shelf, not the floor.
4. Rotate and retire damaged parts: Once a month, test each Bit in a simple circuit. Retire any Bit with a cracked housing or unreliable connection. Replace warped mounting boards. Common mistake: forcing a damaged Bit into a board, which spreads the damage. Checkpoint: keep a small set of spares so lessons are never interrupted.

Products that support a care routine

• littleBits mounting board: littleBits mounting board keeps your circuit intact and makes it easy to move it around; it measures 6 1/4" x 3 1/8" and is compatible with littleBits modules. A mounting board protects connections during transport or rearrangement, reducing wear on magnetic connectors and keeping small parts together.
• littleBits i30 keyboard: littleBits i30 keyboard is a Bit with 13 switches spanning a full octave of notes, designed for use with littleBits electronic building blocks and suitable for elementary, middle, and high school grade levels. As a frequently used input Bit, the i30 keyboard benefits from the same dry-cleaning and careful storage habits to keep its switches responsive.