How to clean and disinfect VR headsets at trade shows and events
At trade shows and events, VR headsets should be cleaned and disinfected after every user. Moist disinfecting wipes work best, and you clean the lenses with a microfiber cloth. What else should you keep in mind?
1. Why is hygiene important?
VR headsets are worn by many people whose skin comes into contact with the devices. The risk of cross-contamination is relatively low, but it is real and should be taken into account. Thorough cleaning and disinfection are therefore essential. When visitors see that the devices are well maintained and disinfected, they are also more willing to try one.
2. How often should VR headsets be cleaned?
We recommend giving VR headsets a quick clean after every use. One good wipe with a disinfecting wipe is usually enough. At trade shows and events in particular, where many people use the devices, the headsets should be cleaned after every user.
3. Which products are suitable?
Skin-friendly disinfectants are all you need. They are effective against viruses and bacteria and dry quickly without leaving residue. Always clean the lenses without any cleaning agents, using only a dry microfiber cloth. Alcohol damages their coating. The housing and pads tolerate alcohol-based disinfectants. We still recommend milder products that are also intended for skin. Naphtha has no place on a VR headset. Paper towels and tissues are not a good choice because they scratch the lenses and can leave residue when combined with disinfectants.
The most important cleaning product we recommend is moist, skin-friendly disinfecting wipes in a dispenser canister. These are usually round containers filled with liquid that you can buy at any pharmacy. They make it easy to pull out one wipe after another. But be careful: always keep the canister upright during transport. If it lies on its side, the liquid leaks out. Unfortunately, that has happened to us many times.
If you use a disinfectant spray, never spray it directly onto the headset. Spray it onto a soft, lint-free cloth and use that to wipe the contact surfaces and pads of the headset.
4. How should VR headsets be cleaned?
- Clean the surfaces: From time to time, wipe down all parts of the housing. Make sure no liquid gets into the openings of the headset. The devices usually have vents, connectors and buttons that cleaning liquids must not get into.
- Clean the lenses: Use a dry microfiber cloth to clean the lenses gently, and no cleaning agents. Avoid pressing on the lenses to prevent scratches. Gently wiping in a circular motion is enough.
- Clean the pads: The face pads can be cleaned with a damp cloth and mild soap. Let the pads dry completely before the headset is used again. If you use a moist disinfecting wipe, the pads are ready for use after about 10 seconds. If you dampened a cloth with water, allow one to two minutes.
5. Additional recommendation
A few worthwhile purchases make care and hygiene easier. Most VR headsets have silicone covers that you can pull over the face pads. Meta offers an official silicone facial interface for Quest 3 headsets, but cheaper third-party alternatives are just as good. Face masks are also useful:
6. An alternative to cleaning: face masks
Instead of cleaning the devices after every use, you can also offer disposable masks. Users place them on their face and secure them behind their ears. When they then put on the VR headset, there is no direct skin contact. Here is a practical tip, though: if you use black face masks, some VR headsets may not detect that they are being worn and switch to standby.
Planning VR at your trade show booth? Our page on VR at your trade show booth shows how staffing, space and budget work.
