How often do Americans clean gaming devices? One in five never do

A recent survey conducted by YouGov reveals how often Americans clean their gaming devices. Out of 1,116 US adults surveyed, a quarter of adults ‘always’ (11%) or ‘often’ (16%) eat when playing video games. This behavior might suggest a greater need for regular cleaning of gaming equipment, but the survey results tell a different story.

One in five Americans admit to never cleaning their gaming devices — 19% for home game consoles, 18% for portable game consoles, and 19% for video game controllers. Despite the risk of devices becoming dirty from frequent use and food exposure, only a small fraction of gamers maintain an acceptable cleaning schedule. For example, 13% of users clean their portable consoles every 2 to 3 days, which is slightly more than the 11% who do the same for their home consoles. Video game controllers, which are directly handled and more susceptible to getting dirty, receive slightly more attention; 13% of Americans clean them daily, and an additional 14% do so every 4 to 6 days.

Moreover, the survey indicates that regular, routine cleaning is uncommon. Approximately a quarter of the participants clean their home (24%) and portable (23%) game consoles once a month. Although some individuals are diligent about device maintenance, a significant number seem to neglect the importance of cleanliness in their gaming equipment.

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Methodology: YouGov Surveys: Serviced provide quick survey results from nationally representative or targeted audiences in multiple markets. This study was conducted online on 29-30 April 2024, with a nationally representative sample of 1,116 adults (aged 18+ years) in the US, using a questionnaire designed by YouGov. Data figures have been weighted by age, race, gender, education, and region to be representative of all adults in the US (18 years or older), and reflect the latest population estimates from the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. Learn more about YouGov Surveys: Serviced.