VR Sanitisation is an important consideration when implementing one of our VR Kits in your organisation. Most Virtual Reality headsets use a sponge face mask for comfort and have many components that can become dirty when passed around by multiple users. Both wipes and UV-C Light can be used to combat the germs that accumulate on VR headsets. However, UV-C Sanitation remains the most effective method.
VR Sanitisation – UV-C vs Wipes
Chemical Wipes
Using antibacterial wipes is a manual approach to cleaning VR headsets. It offers the tactile satisfaction of wiping the headsets clean yourself, and can be easily portable whilst on the move with one of our kits.
However, this manual cleaning process quickly becomes tedious and time-consuming. Especially since the headsets will all need drying time, as most wipes need to be left for a few minutes each, whilst they kill germs. They’re also not environmentally friendly at all, and using wipes contributes to massive amounts of non-biodegradable waste. Not only this, but high concentrations of alcohol, such as those found in most antibacterial wipes, can damage the glue and plastic of the headsets.
All in all, not an entirely ideal solution.
UV-C Cabinets
If using antibacterial wipes is the manual way of cleaning VR Headsets, then using UV-C Cabinets is the automatic one. UV light kills bacteria by breaking down their DNA, preventing them from reproducing.
UV-C Cabinets bathe devices in UV rays and reach all the nooks and crannies on a headset that wipes would miss. There is no risk of liquid damaging any internal components, as no liquid is involved. Solutions such as Uvisan and Cleanbox can sanitise headsets in a matter of minutes, making it not only more effective, but quicker too.
How to Sanitise Shared VR Headsets
To prepare, set up a dedicated ‘clean zone’ and ‘dirty zone’, so that used headsets don’t get mixed up with unused ones. Then, power down the headsets you are going to clean and wash your hands (or wear gloves). Now you are prepared, follow the guide below:
- Use a dry microfiber cloth to clean the headset lenses in a gentle, circular motion to remove smudges.
- If you want to use antibacterial wipes, use them to clean the hard plastics, head straps and controllers. Remember that surfaces need to be damp for 30-60 seconds for pathogens to be killed. Allow to air dry.
Important: Avoid the lenses with the wipes, as this can cause damage. - If you want to use a UV-C Cabinet, simply pop the headsets in and turn it on! Wait for the cycle to finish.
- Your headsets are now clean and ready for the next user!
Now your headsets are clean, consider making a clean bin to put the headsets into or use a sticker or sign to indicate which headsets are fresh.
