Dirt, sweat and pet hairs are a legitimate concern when it comes to your VR headset. If not cared for properly and regularly, VR headsets can easily malfunction due to these issues. Here is how to clean your VR headset, the right way!
How to Clean Your VR Headset’s Lenses?
If you keep your VR headset anywhere near glass, or you have pets in your house, dust, dirt and hairs will inevitably end up clogging up your lenses. This will affect the quality of your experience, and in worst cases can even irritate your eyes.
Lenses are the crucial part of the VR experience. You have to take extra precaution when cleaning them, as they can get scratched easily.
The best route is to use a can of compressed air, followed by carefully wiping away the remaining bits and pieces of dust, hair and dirt.
Point the gas can nozzle a few inches away towards the lenses. Apply short and controlled bursts of airflow to blow away the dust.
Follow up with a microfiber cloth to remove all the leftover bits and pieces. Done. Your lenses are as clean as new!
How to Clean Your VR Headset’s Face Pad?
Whenever you wear your VR headset for a prolonged amount of time, sweating is inevitable. Repeated sweating can make your VR headset really gross after a while.
Now, depending on the material your face pad is made off, there are several ways to do this.
If you use one of those waterproof faux leather covers, a simple babywipe or a hand disinfectant followed by paper towel to dry it off quickly will do the trick. Make sure you don’t introduce too much moisture in the process, as moisture can damage the electronics. Just do it fast and proceed with whatever you had in mind next.
Alternatively, buying a few fabric or foam replacement pad covers will go a long way. Simply swap the covers, and dip the dirty one into the water mixed with detergent or soap. Then, let it dry off and it’s as good as new.
For the rest of your VR headset, you can use babywipes as well. Just lightly wipe away all the dust and grime in the corners and crevices and you are good to go.
Air Quality and Temperature
Now, this might not be applicable for everybody, but to avoid sweaty and dirty face pads and lenses, you can minimize and/or prevent sweating and the build-up of dirt altogether.
During summer, air conditioning is a must, especially for VR games that require the movement of your whole body. If you can’t afford it, then at least get a decent fan to keep the airflow circulating.
Unless it’s really hot outside, a good thing to do is to open your doors and windows. This is especially useful during autumns and winter. Letting the cool breeze flow inside will decrease the temperature and naturally reduce the sweating. Meanwhile, your body will stay warmed up from light physical activity required to play your favourite VR game.
If you own HTC Vive, there’s a great third-party solution called VIVE N CHILL which helps cool down your forehead. It’s been crowdfunded on Indiegogo and is currently in pre-order phase. People that tried it report great results, so you might want to take a look at it.
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