How to clean the lenses of your VR headset ?

The lenses are the direct intermediary between the user and virtual reality. It is through it that we get the images and the impression of depth, which are essential conditions for immersion. But lenses are also one of the most fragile elements of a Virtual Reality headset. These elements are particularly vulnerable to fingerprints, scratches and dust. This is why it is essential to clean it regularly, with the right accessories and in the right way. Especially since the state of cleanliness of the lenses can influence the immersion experience. The VR360 team gives you some tips on how to best clean the lenses of your Virtual Reality headset.

Keep the lenses of your Virtual Reality headset clean  

Use of the right accessories and hygiene products

Before cleaning the lenses on your helmet, it is important to make sure you are properly equipped. Remember, lenses are very fragile and their condition is directly linked to the experience of Virtual Reality. However, certain conventional cleaning means are either risky or either not sufficiently effective for the condition of the lenses. Take the example of cleaning with a simple cloth. Depending on the textile with which it is made and its state of cleanliness, your lenses could be easily scratched or soiled. The same goes for products that are too liquid, chemical or that contain alcohol. These can degrade the top layer of lenses and irreparably damage them.

Regular cleaning of the lenses

Regardless of how you use your Virtual Reality headset, keep in mind that dirt builds up quickly. This is especially true when the helmet is worn by several people or when its use is regular and prolonged. It is therefore recommended to clean the lenses after each use of the helmet.

The most common but also the easiest to clean dirt is dust. You only need 1 minute at the end of a VR session to rid your lenses of the smallest particles of dust. To do this, you can count on accessories such as the blower pear. By using pressurized air, it cleans the dust accumulated in every corner of the lens. It is enough to direct its beak towards the desired place then to exert one or more pressures on the rubber balloon so that it blows and expels dust and other dirt

Also count on more classic cleaning accessories like microfiber cloth. This is made up of microfilaments finer than hair, which makes it an extremely soft fabric. Its use is simple, just gently rub the surface of the lenses with.

Removal of stubborn traces 

The lenses can also be exposed to more stubborn dirt such as traces of grease, fingers or even perspiration. In these cases we recommend using tools and products with absorbent and / or degreasing properties.

The LensPen is the accessory when it comes to cleaning all kinds of lenses, optics and digital sensors. Each pen can be used up to 500 times and allows precise and effective cleaning of dirt. As its name suggests, the pen has a spindle-shaped design which makes it easy to store but also to use thanks to its pleasant grip. Each end of the LensPen includes a cleaning tool, making it a 2 in 1 pen. On one end is a retractable brush with organic bristles. This is effective for cleaning dust. On the other side is a cleaning pad that includes a non-liquid agent, which does not drool and therefore does not dry out. The cleaning pad is covered with carbon powder. It is useful for removing tougher stains such as fingerprints. These two tips have been designed to allow precise cleaning down to the smallest corner without damaging the lenses. The 50ml cleaning spray is another viable solution to stubborn soiling. It has been specially designed for cleaning screens and optics. In addition to its cleaning properties, it includes an antistatic agent which eliminates the accumulation of static electricity. The fluid it contains is biodegradable and does not contain alcohol. Its action can be supplemented by a microfiber fabric, which you can take with you in the cleaning kit. Finally, you can also count on cleaning wipes. They are alcohol-free and have been designed for sensitive parts of audiovisual devices. They therefore do not pose any danger to the lenses. A few seconds of circular rubbing on each lens is enough to absorb traces of grease, fingers, and dust.

Lens cleaning in two phases

The evaluation

The first thing recommended is examining the lenses after using the virtual reality headset. This can be done in two ways. The first is to identify if the image and the quality of immersion are hampered by spots or blurring that appears through the lenses. The second method is to observe the lenses directly with the naked eye, paying attention to their surface and their corners. The goal is to identify dirt (dust, grease, hair, etc.) and how it is placed on the lenses.

A suitable cleaning

Once the exam is over, all that remains is to adapt the cleaning to the hygienic needs of the lenses. If the lenses appear relatively clean and no stubborn stains appear to have been added, two to three puffs of pear may be enough to eject the few invisible but present particles. The action of the blower bulb can also be replaced or offset by a microfiber cloth or a cleaning wipe. These allow quick cleaning of most of the dirt and are perfect to use when the helmet changes users, for example. For optimal use of the wipe and microfiber fabric, we recommend making a circular rubbing movement that goes from the inside to the outside.
If after the examination the lenses appear to be dirty with stubborn stains, the best way to achieve a complete cleaning is to combine the action of various products. For example, after removing most of the dirt with a wipe or a spray and its tissue, you can erase the remaining traces using the LensPen pen.

Cleaning in 4 steps

Step 1 : Place the front cover of the virtual reality headset on a flat, clean surface so that the inside of the headset and the lenses are facing you. We recommend placing a towel or any other soft intermediary between the work surface and the front of the helmet to avoid any risk of damage to the tracking sensors.

Step 2 : Throughout the cleaning, keep one of your hands to ensure that the helmet is firmly held by one of its sides and to prevent it from tipping over to one side or the other.

Step 3 : With the other hand, clean using the selected accessory (LensPen pen, wipe, spray ...).
Step 4 :To finalize the cleaning of the lenses and prepare them for the next uses you can use an anti-fog spray with long-lasting effect which allows the conservation of a clear image. It's simple, just apply it on a suitable cloth, rub with it on the lenses and wait 1 minute for it to dry.