For many years, here at Fully Loaded Electronics we primarily provided preloaded video game systems to children’s hospitals. Now that we serve new friends in libraries, hotels, corrections, esports and more, we're grateful for our close connections in health care where we first learned how to keep your gamers entertained and healthy.
Manuals for consumer electronics typically do not include instructions for thoroughly cleaning or disinfecting the products. However, when consumer electronics are used by multiple players in a public setting, cleaning is an important part of everyday use. Here are some tips for sanitizing frequently used video game systems.
To start, it is important to ensure your items have hard and wipeable surfaces. Here at FLE we prepare video game systems, carts, virtual reality headsets, tablets, and more for the heavy use and frequent cleaning that is normal for a public setting. When gaming systems have soft or porous surfaces we replace them with wipeable versions for you. For example, on the virtual reality equipment we remove the fabric face cushions and replace them with plastic wipeable versions to keep everything cleanable and hygienic.
To reduce the number of items to sanitize and manage, here at FLE we load the video games themselves onto the gaming consoles so you don’t need to clean or manage game disks or cartridges. Removing disks and cartridges from everyday gaming saves on staff time and makes the whole experience more hygienic.
Fully Loaded Electronics offers the following recommendations for keeping your consumer electronics clean. Here are the products our hospital partners have used effectively on video game systems for many years:
- 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Wipes
- Oxivir
- Cavicide
- PDI wipes (quaternary ammonium with or without alcohol)
- Virex 256 (quaternary ammonium)
- Clorox bleach
Cleaning a Gaming Console
Gaming consoles, including Xboxes, Nintendos and PlayStations, can be wiped down with any of the cleaning products listed above, or similar products. Over time, the cleaning agents may cause discoloration of the console’s plastic exterior, however they will not degrade the functionality of the video game systems.
Be careful not to get the console too wet, since too much moisture can damage the electronics. Make sure there is no excess moisture that could leak inside the console and reach the internal electronics.
Cleaning Video Game Controllers
Gaming controllers, both wired and wireless, can be wiped down with any of the cleaning products listed above, or similar products. Be careful not to get the controllers too wet, since too much moisture can damage the controllers. For tight spaces around toggles or buttons, we recommend a Q-Tip with a small amount of cleaning solution on the tip.
Cleaning Tablets
Tablets, including iPads and Kindles, can be wiped down with all the products listed above, or similar. Be careful not to get the tablet too wet, since too much moisture can damage the tablet.
Security Cases
Security cases can be wiped down with any of the products listed above, or similar. Over time, these products may cause fogging or discoloration, however they will not degrade the functionality of the case for mounting and securing the video game systems.
Hand Sanitizers
In a public space like a tournament, we also recommend placing hand sanitizer at the gaming systems. Encourage players to sanitize both before and after they use a gaming system. That way they are not leaving germs on the system or taking germs with them after they play.
With frequent cleaning, video game systems can continue to be an important source of entertainment. Here at FLE we are happy to help with any of your questions about public video game systems and their care. Feel free to contact us with any questions:
shelly@fullyloadedelectronics.com
(425) 582-3173
