Hand sanitizers, soaps, disinfectant wipes…every sanitizing item is flying off the shelves of local department stores and pharmacies. The quarantine and remote working conditions are driving the extroverts nuts!
Well, thank heavens VR users have their world right inside their homes, literally! With the release of Half-Life: Alyx VR users have more than enough incentive to self-quarantine and bid “goodbye” to sunshine.
It’s indeed true that we don’t have to step out during quarantine to beat loneliness. However, we do need to ensure that our VR headsets are clean and hygienic during the COVID-19 panic.
8 Steps To Properly Clean And Sanitize Your VR Headset
Sadly, unlike our clothes and shoes, we can’t just wash our precious headsets and accessories. So, here we have inputs from experts who have taken the extra step to sanitize their VR headsets to keep themselves and their families safe –
- Wear nitrile gloves
When cleaning the surface of your VR headset remember to wear nitrile gloves. It will protect your hands from the drying effects of the alcohol, as well as keep the dirt and germs away from your skin. Wash your hands before wearing gloves. Disinfect your hands after wearing the gloves by spraying a little alcohol and rubbing them dry.
- Use a good quality lens cleaner
Check out lens cleaners for cleaning your VR headset exterior. The good-quality ones have isopropyl alcohol which not only removes dirt and microbes effectively, but it also kills novel coronavirus as per information released by the World Health Organization (WHO).
2. Use disinfecting wipes
If you don’t have premium lens cleaning wipes, you can use the regular disinfectant wipes that you have picked up from the pharmacy as well. You need to ensure that they contain at least 70% isopropyl alcohol. It is safe for the headset unless you are using it on the lenses since it leaves no residue.
You can use the same wipes to clean your phone touchscreen and other touchscreen surfaces as well.
3. Use isopropyl alcohol or ethanol with a microfiber cloth
If you haven’t managed to get your hands on disinfectant wipes or lens cleaners, don’t worry! All you need is a solution of 70% isopropanol or ethanol. A stronger concentration should also work! Use a fresh and clean microfiber cloth to soak up some of the alcohol and wipe every part of your VR headset except the lenses.
4. Clean the facial interface thoroughly
Wipe the facial interface of your VR headset thoroughly with a dry microfiber cloth first. Then use rubbing alcohol, or a disinfectant wipe to remove any residual oiliness or dust.
6. Let it dry
Before using your VR headset, you need to let the inner and outer surfaces air dry completely. You can use a fresh microfiber cloth to remove any residue from the controllers and headset.
7. Don’t forget the controller and wires
While it is not advisable to spray alcohol on the wires directly, you can use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe it clean. If it is excessively grimy, only then resort to wet wipes or microfiber cloth soaked in rubbing alcohol to clean the wires.
8. Don’t share!
Well, without saying much, we know how much we dislike sharing our VR headsets with friends and younger family members anyway. Use this time as an excuse to NOT share your VR headsets at all. Most importantly, don’t invite friends over to play Alyx already. Wait for a couple of weeks!
How to keep your VR headset clean for longer?
Always wash your hands and face
Before you touch your VR headset remember to wash your hands and your face each time. Our face often has a lot of dirt stuck to the natural sebum, which also includes microbes. Washing your face before using ensures that your VR headset and the facial interface remains clean for longer periods.
Whatever you do, don’t even think about using excessive water or a dripping wet cloth to clean the surface of the VR headset and its wires. Manufacturers do not recommend using alcohol directly on the lenses for cleaning. Sticking to a trusted lens cleaning solution with disinfecting properties is indeed a better idea for all VR headset owners out there.
Always sanitize before and after a game!
Whenever you are sanitizing a surface ensure that you are following the CDC and WHO guidelines. For example, avoid touching your VR headset right after touching a public door handle. Always sanitize your hands using a solution containing at least 70% isopropanol or ethanol, or wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds before touching your gadgets.
Similarly, after you are done playing or using the VR headset, you should make it a habit of sanitizing your hands or washing them thoroughly under running water.
A little patience and good personal hygiene can go a long way to protect you from the threat of the novel coronavirus infection.
