VR games are purposefully designed to get you on your feet and moving about. All this action produces sweat and condensation, making your VR headset the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. Most VR headsets are typically designed with a highly absorbent PU leather or foam padding, making it almost impossible for a group of people to share a single headset hygienically. To combat this, you will need to do more than quickly wipe over your headset with a wet cloth. We’ve put together a complete guide on how to keep your VR headset clean, thus keeping yourself and those using your headset protected.

Skin Friendly VR Anti-Bacterial Wipes

Wiping down your VR headset can be a tricky process. Abrasive cloths, solvents, and detergents can damage the headset material and cause skin irritation. Therefore, you should only ever use specially designed VR headset wipes. These Skin Friendly VR HMD Cleaning Wipes are one of the safest and cheapest ways to quickly wipe down your headset. They are anti-bacterial, alcohol-free, hypoallergenic, and unscented. This makes them perfect for those with sensitive skin and for use on foam replacements that come in contact with your face.

Disposable VR Covers

Whether you’re sharing your VR headset with a friend or demonstrating VR to work colleagues or clients, disposable VR covers are the perfect solution to keep your VR headset clean and germ-free. Universal Disposable Hygiene Covers have been designed with highly absorbent cotton material to protect VR headset foam cushions from moisture, dirt, and bacteria. Attaching and removing the covers is quick and easy due to their adhesive backing.

Medical Grade Silicone Covers

If you own an Oculus Quest or an Oculus Rift S, then medical-grade Silicone Covers are the perfect solution to keeping dirt and germs at bay. Crafted with high-quality, medical-grade silicone that is unoiled, hypoallergenic, and safe for the skin. The Quest and Rift S Silicone covers are easy to clean and also offer a layer of protection against wear and tear.

Wash Your Hands

It may seem like common sense, but washing your hands and face regularly can curb the transmission of germs, especially when sharing your VR headset. If you’re in a setting where you’re not able to wash your hands, use a hand sanitizer that contains over 70% alcohol volume. Alcohol-based hand-sanitizer can help to kill off bacteria, fungus, and some viruses, but it is worth noting that alcohol does not kill Norovirus or Rhinovirus. Therefore when possible, handwashing should always be the first choice. For correct hand-washing practice, follow the CDC’s handwashing advice. 

Quarantine Your VR Headset

If you’ve shared your headset with someone who has a cold, flu, or other illness, the simplest way to avoid transmission is to leave your headset aside for a few days. According to NIH research SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) can survive for four hours on copper, up to a day on cardboard, up to two days on plastic, and three days on stainless steel. While the virus survives to two days on plastic, researchers emphasized it had a greatly reduced viral load at those durations. When quarantining your headset, use a Universal VR Headset Cover, this will help to prevent the build-up of dirt and dust whilst your headset is out of action.

Follow the Manufacturer Cleaning Instructions

Many headsets on the market come with washing/cleaning instructions from the manufacturer. We’ve included a list below of the most popular headsets cleaning instructions so you don’t have to go searching the internet:

Oculus Quest Cleaning Instructions

Oculus Rift Cleaning Instructions

Oculus Go Cleaning Instructions

Oculus Rift S Cleaning Instructions

HTC Vive Cleaning Instructions

Samsung Odyssey and Odyssey Plus Cleaning Instructions

What to avoid when cleaning your VR headset

Don’t use harsh or abrasive chemicals such as alcohol, bleach. These can damage the fabric, plastic components, and lenses of your headset.

Don’t wash your VR headset’s foam cushioning or padding in the washing machine, unless specified on the manufacturers cleaning instructions. Most leather or foam pads will deform and twist in the washing machine, making it almost impossible for you to use them again.

Don’t heat your headset. Whilst many advocate the use of heat for killing bacteria and viruses, heating your VR headset with a hair-dryer or leaving it in the sun can completely destroy it.