Cleaning the connector

Contact Cleaner spray that can be purchased at Radio Shack. It's made for electronic connectors and will not damage the contacts. Try to keep it off of plastic parts.

I would take a soft brissled brush (new toothbrush or paintbrush) if you have any solid or crusty material in the connector, then get a can of compressed air and lightly puff air at an angle on the connector. Be sure not to tilt the compressed air can too much or hold it on too long or you may end up with some liquid coming out with the air. I usually puff a little air on the connector once a month or so just to keep mine clean. I'd be careful about using the contact cleaner. I've been in the electronics business nearly 25 year and in some cases that is the perfect idea but I'd be a little cautious about using it with the iPhone.

I re-read your post and if it's in the cable and not the iPhone, I would still try my method and using contact cleaner would not hurt the cable but I wouldn't want to risk damaging the plastic on the iPhone or I've seen some instances where that can cause more damage than good. O.K. for the connector though. Be careful plugging the cable into the phone until you know it's fairly clean. You don't want that gunk getting on the contacts of the phone. I'd much rather buy a $20 cable than send the iPhone for service.

If you are concerned about the spray on the plastic, try spraying it on a cotton swab and using that to clean it.

cleaning it is not d solution for the connector... i rather buy these one to prevent dirt from building up in the connectore just click the link... it's only cheap but it's worth a lot... thankss...

http://www.radtech.us/Products/Portectorz.aspx#