Best Practices for Cleaning and Sanitizing Arcade Games

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of cleanliness and hygiene in public spaces, including amusement arcades. As an arcade game operator or owner, it's essential to implement best practices for cleaning and sanitizing your games to ensure a safe and hygienic playing environment for your customers. This blog post will explore best practices for cleaning and sanitizing arcade games.

Start with Hand Sanitizing Stations

The first step in creating a safe and hygienic playing environment is to provide hand sanitizing stations throughout your arcade. Encourage customers to use them before and after playing games, and ensure they are easily accessible throughout your space.

Use Appropriate Cleaning Products

Not all cleaning products are created equal. It's essential to use cleaning products specifically designed for use on arcade games that are effective at killing viruses and bacteria. Look for products that contain at least 70% alcohol or that are labeled as disinfectants.

Focus on High-Touch Areas

When cleaning and sanitizing arcade games, focusing on high-touch areas such as buttons, joysticks, and coin slots is essential. These areas are most likely to harbor bacteria and viruses and can be a transmission source. Use a disinfectant wipe or spray to clean these areas thoroughly.

Don't Forget About the Cabinet

While the buttons and joysticks may be the most apparent areas to clean, cleaning the cabinet is also essential. Use a disinfectant spray or wipe to clean the entire cabinet, including the sides and back.

Use Disposable Gloves and Wipes

To prevent the spread of germs, it's important to use disposable gloves and wipes when cleaning arcade games. This will help to avoid cross-contamination between games and ensure that each game is cleaned thoroughly.

Implement a Cleaning Schedule

Implementing a regular cleaning schedule for your arcade games is crucial for maintaining their appearance, functionality, and longevity. Here are some steps to consider when creating a cleaning schedule for your arcade games:

1. Determine the frequency: Decide how often each game needs to be cleaned based on factors such as how frequently it is used and how dirty it gets. Some games may require daily cleaning, while others may only need to be cleaned once a week.

2. Assign responsibilities: Decide who will be responsible for cleaning each game. Will it be the staff members, or will you hire a cleaning crew?

3. Create a checklist: Create a checklist of cleaning tasks that need to be performed for each game. This can include wiping down the exterior, cleaning the screens and buttons, vacuuming or sweeping the floors, and emptying the trash.

4. Provide cleaning supplies: Ensure the necessary cleaning supplies are easily accessible for the designated cleaner. This can include cleaning sprays, paper towels, and a vacuum or broom.

5. Train employees: If you have staff members responsible for cleaning, ensure they are trained on the proper cleaning techniques and know what tasks must be performed for each game.

6. Regularly evaluate and adjust the schedule: Regularly evaluate the cleaning schedule to ensure it is effective and adapts as necessary. This can involve changing the frequency of cleaning, assigning different staff members to other games, or updating the cleaning checklist.

By implementing a regular cleaning schedule, you can help ensure that your arcade games stay in excellent condition, providing an enjoyable experience for your customers and prolonging the lifespan of your equipment.