As the COVID-19 outbreak continues, many people have been washing their hands and disinfecting their belongings on a constant basis. But one object you might not want to be cleaning with alcohol-based cleaner is your Nintendo Switch. Nintendo of Japan's customer support team Tweeted out that Switch owners should avoid using alcohol wipes on their system, as it can "cause the plastic parts to fade in color or deform". Even the use of non-alcoholic cleaners is advised against, as certain ones can still damage the plastic housing or Joy-Cons. Instead, users are recommended to simply use a dry cloth to wipe down their game console.

Source

 

[skinnyBIGGS]

Whatever BIG N just fix our joycon issues already pretty sure the average consumer knows not to clean the switch with such..microfibre cloth and warm water works every single time.. but it doesnt fix my damn joycon drift!!!!!!!

 

[Ampersound]

lol. oh transmission via infected surface is very real. i would avoid lending your switch and keep your
hands clean at the very least. I rather risk a bit of discoloration myself. the surface of a switch can be just as disgusting as your phone. crap advice from Nintendo but they are obviously more interested in their bottom line.

From what i've read about it from german virologist Streeck, it is not very likely to get infected that way. Do you have a source?

 

[leonmagnus99]

I pretty much only use the switch in console mode.

If I get the virus from anything it's gonna be my phone. (Does anyone actually clean their phone? Asking for a friend >___>)

i often wash my case and wipe all of the phone with damped cloth (water)
im used to this ever since i was a kid, I'm bit ocd and i love tidiness and cleanliness.

i think hygiene is important for everyone, but ppl are just too lazy, it boggles me at times how nasty ppl can be , used to work at office and many employees that would get out of the toilet i notice never washed their hands.

this virus thing is a blessing to the Earth, blessing that happened.
thank the universe.

 

[BORTZ]

At my job we use a plexy glass spoiler on one of our machines. If you clean the spoiler with alcohol, over time it will fracture and crack like ice. Its very strange. I wonder what causes stuff like this.

 

[Veho]

At my job we use a plexy glass spoiler on one of our machines. If you clean the spoiler with alcohol, over time it will fracture and crack like ice. Its very strange. I wonder what causes stuff like this.

Alcohol is an organic solvent, it degrades the bonds in the plexiglass and can damage it.

https://www.instructables.com/id/Why-You-Dont-Clean-Acrylic-With-Alcohol-Methyl-Eth/

 

[Kwyjor]

used to work at office and many employees that would get out of the toilet i notice never washed their hands.

 

[JuanMena]

What?
This is the first time I see Nintendo telling it's users:

"Look, the Switch is an overpriced WiiU made with Cheap Plastic that will deform with Windex.
Please, stop yourself from cleaning your devices.
Please understand"
*Satoru Hand Gesture*

 

[WD_GASTER2]

From what i've read about it from german virologist Streeck, it is not very likely to get infected that way. Do you have a source?

Not very likely is not the same as impossible. I can quote the CDC for you and also the PPE guidelines with how equipment handled by a patient should be treated. Again tho I work in a hospital so I have to treat the surfaces of what I touch with a higher modicum of caution than most people.
Also I doubt you would be willing to handle a switch from someone you knew was sick. Since we are to assume everyone we come in contact with is sick as per social distance guidelines.... I think I will stick desinfecting stuff when apropriate

 

[Legendaykai]

Well joke on them i do that anyway and it's fine the same as my nes,snes, gba ,gb and n64 combo portable plus im a germaphobe so I do as i please.

 

[fout21]

Didn't see the warning and can confirm deinfection cloths destroy the switch. We now have weird wavy colors on our switch lite.

 

[Deleted User]

the switch: amazing and fragile at the same time

 

[MetoMeto]

Seriously?!? I thought Nintendo cared about their customers... Oooh, I get it! They're going to market their own cleanser to use on the Switch! ...Oh, or better yet, an UV light disinfecting unit! Looks like another case, but with UV light bulbs inside.
(Buys one and takes it home)
Wait a moment. Doesn't UV bleach things? Then that explains why my Switch Lite is now grayish-white...

also UV is not so good for the eyes health so i doubt.

 

[HarveyHouston]

also UV is not so good for the eyes health so i doubt.

Erm, you did know that I was using sarcasm, right?

 

[MetoMeto]

Erm, you did know that I was using sarcasm, right?

Yeah i figured but i thought it would be good for others to know if they didnt. i didnt know that before

 

[mixelpixx]

im the guy that fixes the computers throughout the hospital. got a patient room? chances are there is a pc in there that nurses and doctors use for charting in most modern hospitals. nurses and docs, god bless them are pretty reckless with pc equipment. we get several calls to fix pcs in corona virus patient rooms per day.

i will stop deviating the thread and i apologize to the mods for going off track.

Damn I am the guy installing the Patient Monitoring..

 

[WD_GASTER2]

@mixelpixx thanks for doing what you do.