Prevent corrosion on ribbon connector in washing machine

[Why Not Indeed]

Hotpoint washing machine, about 5yo.
Annoying "touch" controls on front. About a year ago, some of the controls stopped responding but not enough to make it unusable. Then in the past month, it started behaving erratically, taking hours to complete a wash and stopping without draining. We found that locking the controls immediately after starting a wash made it behave properly again.
Took it apart over the weekend, found corrosion on the ribbon connector between the control panel and the circuit board. Rubbed that off and now all the controls work again.
There does not seem to be any other sign of corrosion in there or water where it should not be.
So to my actual question...what can I do to prevent this coming back? Obviously I can only use abrasives on a ribbon connector so many times before there's no conductors left.

 

[jj4091]

Use Deoxit or similar product on the pins and sockets

 

[endecotp]

Contact cleaner (aerosol).

Don’t use abrasive. There should be a very thin layer of plating which you really don’t want to wear through.

Have you checked what spare parts are available, or whether the connectors are available as standard items?

 

[Why Not Indeed]

The parts are available, front panel assembly is about a tenner more than a can of Deoxit. I will find a cheaper equivalent.
You need the whole assembly as the cable is bonded to the plastic

 

[pto]

well well that looks like its off a hoover

 

[Rodders53]

Contact cleaner lubricants or greases... Electrolube, Servisol, WD40 branded, et al

I'd put a smear of silicone grease on as I have it "in stock" will keep damp at bay and it's non-electrically-conducting .

 

[Why Not Indeed]

well well that looks like its off a hoover

You're right. They both start "Ho..."