Scrambling Dirty Cubes...

[Vincents]

Would I be considered too paranoid if I decided to request gloves as a scrambler at any tournament? I'm really not sure if people actually clean their cubes, and my hands always end up with this oily grimy substance on them after a round of scrambling =.= Thoughts? How often do you clean your cube?

 

[Cyrus C.]

I rarely ever clean my cube's exterior, only if it gets something on it. Next time you're at a competition bring a box of latex gloves, they won't hinder your scrambling too much. Next time I hold a competition, I'll bring a box of them. I never realized it bothered anybody. Do you (or anyone) ever notice the opposite? A scrambler with dirty hands?

 

[cyoubx]

I only clean the cube when I change stickers. You'd be paranoid, but not over-the-top. It makes sense to clean your cubes. That being said....I've never had grime on my cube...

 

[ROFL]

Personally I wipe off my cube relatively often. Nothing "over the top," but just a damp cloth or something occasionally to remove any little bits of dirt or stuff (or when lots of other people have been playing with it). Like cyoubx, I've never had "grime" on my cube.

I think gloves make a lot of sense, especially if you are "lucky" and get to scramble for the feet competitors. I suspect that eventually there will be enough really paranoid people that will complain (about their cubes getting) to the WCA and gloves will be mandatory for the scamblers. Or perhaps someday there will be machines that will do all the scrambling....

 

[Stefan]

Would I be considered too paranoid if I decided to request gloves as a scrambler at any tournament?

I'd say it makes you not paranoid enough. Organizer's gonna think "If you want gloves so badly then bring some". I'm pretty sure at least the 2007 world championship scramblers all used white gloves, btw.

 

[qqwref]

*request* gloves? I don't think any competition I've been at has had gloves just lying around for scramblers. I doubt the organizers will want to go buy gloves during the comp, too - it's easier to just get another scrambler. So if you want to scramble, and you want to wear gloves while you do it, you will generally need to bring your own.

 

[Dene]

I just find the nearest restroom and go and wash my hands regularly.

 

[oprah62]

I'd say it makes you not paranoid enough. Organizer's gonna think "If you want gloves so badly then bring some". I'm pretty sure at least the 2007 world championship scramblers all used white gloves, btw.

He is an organizer.

 

[~Adam~]

I work with poker chips and they are well known as some of the most germ ridden things on the planet.
I'm sure cubes are well up there with them, but I don't think gloves are necessary.
Don't put your hands in your mouth (or the cube for that matter) or rub your eyes.
Wash your hands when you get the chance or use alcohol gel.

If you are really so OCD that you can't touch someone else's cube then just think how filthy yours is.
Regardless of how clean it looks, it isn't.

 

[DavidWoner]

I licked my cube just to spite this thread. Immunities ftw.

 

[Vincents]

I work with poker chips and they are well known as some of the most germ ridden things on the planet.
I'm sure cubes are well up there with them, but I don't think gloves are necessary.
Don't put your hands in your mouth (or the cube for that matter) or rub your eyes.
Wash your hands when you get the chance or use alcohol gel.

If you are really so OCD that you can't touch someone else's cube then just think how filthy yours is.
Regardless of how clean it looks, it isn't.

Butbutbut...I clean my cubes. Or at least I spray them with 70% ethanol and wipe them down.

In terms of the other way around, it's kind of disconcerting to turn your cube in for scrambling...and receive an oily one back.

 

[FatBoyXPC]

I'm really OCD about my cube. If I see any sort of dirt on a sticker or anything of the nature I'm wiping it off immediately. I hate having a "greasy" cube. I often make people wash their hands before I let them handle my cubes (this usually upsets them too as if I'm insulting them or something).

 

[~Adam~]

Butbutbut...I clean my cubes. Or at least I spray them with 70% ethanol and wipe them down.

In terms of the other way around, it's kind of disconcerting to turn your cube in for scrambling...and receive an oily one back.

Ever touch money then your cube without washing your hands?

 

[Cubenovice]

I licked my cube just to spite this thread. Immunities ftw.

Hell yeah!
And I eat from the floor too!

But I do understand the sentiment about dirty cubes; if you are uncomfortable with then do something about it.
Wether it be cleaning, wearing gloves or not touching other people's cubes.

 

[~Phoenix Death~]

Wipe it with a cloth...

 

[avgdi]

You could also keep a bottle of hand sanitizer close by.

 

[Erik]

I have had it multiple times that my cube was extremely greasy/fatty/sweaty on the exterior after scrambling. I'm 100% sure this is because some people just have sweaty hands, I'd like to ask everyone who has sweaty or dirty hands to either go judge and someone else to scramble, or to wash your hands before scrambling.

At German Nationals I judged someones megaminx solve and the competitor asked my to wipe of the cube with a cloth first, when I did that I immediately understood why the competitor requested this... it was so slippery!

Hygienically though, I think it is a bit paranoid not wanting to touch other peoples' cubes (exceptions are there though, for certain people.. I don't like to touch their cube) 99% of the cubes are fine anyway.

 

[KboyForeverB]

I have had it multiple times that my cube was extremely greasy/fatty/sweaty on the exterior after scrambling. I'm 100% sure this is because some people just have sweaty hands, I'd like to ask everyone who has sweaty or dirty hands to either go judge and someone else to scramble, or to wash your hands before scrambling.

At German Nationals I judged someones megaminx solve and the competitor asked my to wipe of the cube with a cloth first, when I did that I immediately understood why the competitor requested this... it was so slippery!

Hygienically though, I think it is a bit paranoid not wanting to touch other peoples' cubes (exceptions are there though, for certain people.. I don't like to touch their cube) 99% of the cubes are fine anyway.

Yes I agree, Somtimes I just think of ALL the people who have touched my cube. WOAH!! that must be dirty