Germs. They're all around us, all the time, so it's good practice to regularly and properly clean and disinfect high-touch and shared items in your classroom. Below is our step-by-step guide on how to get clean your Sphero robots and littleBits.
- Make sure you have the proper cleaning products, e.g. disposable disinfecting wipes (Lysol or Clorox or similar brands are best) or spray, paper towels (if using a spray) and disposable gloves, if you are sensitive to certain cleaning products.
- With the gloves on, remove the robots from their chargers, including power packs, and place them on a surface to be cleaned
- Wipe down the robots outer surfaces, anything that hands have touched.
- For BOLT and SPRK+, wipe and spray away! There are no charging ports or openings to worry about, making these two bots completely waterproof. Just be sure not to use harsh solvents or anything abrasive or sharp to clean them. DO NOT submerge or spray water on the Power Pack. The robots are waterproof, but the Power Pack is not.
- For Minis, the outer shell should be removed and wiped inside and out, allowed to dry and placed back on the inner robot ball. You can also wipe down the inside, but make sure no liquid gets inside the charging port or other openings.
- For RVR, be sure to wipe down the roll cages, dev plates and any other shared accessories your class may use to build on top of RVR.
- For littleBits, make sure they are disconnected from the power source and wipe down with a disinfecting wipe, allow to dry and store back in their cases. We don’t recommend a spray for littleBits as too much liquid could get into the tiny openings/connections.
- Allow the robots to dry completely before placing them back on their chargers, making sure they unplugged to any power sources.
- While unplugged, wipe down the handles, cords, and other touchable surfaces on the power packs or other storage containers. When dry, you can plug everything back in to charge up.
- Wipe down the surface where the robots were placed for cleaning on with a fresh wipe to finish the disinfection process.
- Lastly, remove and toss your disposable gloves (if you used them) and wash your hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
It’s also recommended to clean shared tablets, keyboards and other electronics used during Sphero lessons. However, we suggest following the manufacturer’s specific instructions for cleaning those devices.
While it may seem like several steps, it can be built into the end of class and divided up among students to make it a smooth and efficient process. At home, it can be the last step before putting away the robot for the evening. By making sure your Sphero robots and littleBits are clean, you can help promote hygienic habits and stop the spread of disease. Here’s to staying hands-on and healthy!
How do you clean your bots and Bits? Tweet us @Sphero and share your best tips.
Please note: Sphero doesn’t make any representations or warranties that these steps will kill COVID-19 or any other virus, or prevent the spread of any disease. Please follow all recommended guidelines of the CDC and your medical professional.
