How to Clean a Mouse Pad Without Ruin

How to Clean Mouse Pad

Like the mouse, the mouse pad will get dirty from sweat, drink spills, dirt, and debris in the course of use. A dirty mouse pad is not only unhygienic but also a major cause of impaired mouse control. Therefore, knowledge on how to clean mouse pad is invaluable.

Mousepads do not plug directly into the PC. However, they impact the performance of the mouse, which in turn affects the operations of your computer. Mousepads do accumulate a lot of dust, dirt, and grime over time. Keeping them clean will not only boost the sensitivity of your mouse but also protect you from potential contagious infections. Below are steps on how to clean a mouse pad if you do not want to buy a new mouse pad.


The Steps to Clean the Mouse Pad

Step 1: Shake off the dust from the mouse pad

It is a recommended practice to clean your mousepad and peripherals regularly for fast and efficient use of the computer. The first step in cleaning your mouse pad is to shake off any dust and loose dirt in a kitchen sink. The mousepads for rubber or plastic can simply be cleaned with wet wipes or damp cloths, whereas mousepads for woven thread or fabric need more work to get rid of every oil, fat, and filth that may have been built upon its surface over time.

Shake off the dust from the mouse pad

Step 2: Clean the mouse pad with a soft brush and a dish SOAP

While cleaning, it’s important to be thorough and targeted. That to say, you should first brush horizontally, then vertically, and then lastly brush diagonally. That way, you’re sure to remove most of the dirt and grime from the mousepad. Besides the manual cleaning, you can also opt for a washing machine to help out. Most computer mousepads are washing machine-ready. When you’re done with the cleaning, use a dry microfiber cloth or a dry towel to wipe off the excess moisture.

Clean the mouse pad with a soft brush

Clean the mouse pad with dish SOAP

  • Tip! Scrubbing cloth mousepads can cause their surfaces to peel—instead, clean such pads using disinfecting wipes only.

Step 3: Disinfecting the mouse pad

Besides the stain and dust, these peripheral PC components may actually play host to a wide range of parasites and related disease-causing germs. To ward off potential infections, consider applying a disinfectant on the mouse pad after cleaning.

Disinfecting the mouse pad

Step 4: Air dry the mouse pad.

After cleaning, it’s time to dry the mouse pad. To do that, simply put the peripheral in an open space away from direct sunlight. A good example would be a cool, well-ventilated room. Another faster alternative to air drying would be to use a hairdryer to get the job done. Take caution while using the hairdryer to dry the mouse pad.

Always maintain a safe distance between the pad and the dryer unless you want to end up with a damaged plastic or nylon mouse pad. Also, components that are hair dries often contain some trapped water with didn’t escape in time with the heat. This can find its way into the mouse’s electronic circuitry leading to damage. Therefore, unless you’re in a hurry, of which you shouldn’t, it’s always recommended to air dry any cleaned PC components, the mouse pad included.

Air dry the mouse pad


How to Clean Mouse Pad Using a Washing Machine

YouTube video

Not all mousepads can be cleaned in a washing machine. Only plastic and nylon make the machine washer-ready. Also worth mentioning is that mousepads in a washing machine are best cleaned using cold or lukewarm water. Hot water may easily damage your mouse pad. Furthermore, mousepads with printed patterns should never be washed using a dissolvable cleaner as it will dissolve the clumps.


How Often Do You Clean the Mouse Pad?

A mousepad should at least be cleaned and disinfected every two to three months. However, that’s not necessarily cast on stone; you can clean your mousepad whenever you deem fit. Always observe proper computer hygiene habits in order to keep all the components clean and in good shape. For instance, you shouldn’t eat on the mouse pad as that would expose dirt and grime from spills, oil, and other food-related filth. Remember that it is good practice to clean the mouse pad alongside the mouse and your mechanical keyboard.

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