Some people spend years without cleaning their mousepad and appear unaffected, while others feel compelled to do so regularly. However, there is a happy medium since it all relies on how much you use your mousepad. So, how do you clean a mousepad?
Place the mousepad in warm water and cover the entire mousepad with some dish soap. Use a clean sponge to wipe and foam up the whole mousepad, focusing on the dirtiest spots. Remove the mousepad from the water, and use a clean towel to dab it dry; leave it to air-dry for up to 24 hours.
The mousepad cleaning process is relatively straightforward, but it’s still important to know the differences between mousepad fabrics and what is safe to use when cleaning them. The knowledge will prevent you from doing any harm to your mousepad and prolong its lifespan!
How To Clean A Mousepad?
Many of us use computers to work, play games, or watch movies, and all of these activities usually involve food, sweat, or other types of grime. They get filthy, just like any other mouse pad or mouse mat, especially after a long usage period, and these variables contribute to the mousepad’s lifespan.
Wet wipes or a damp cloth may readily clean rubber or plastic mousepads, but cloth or fabric mousepads take a little more work to remove all of the oil, grease, and filth that your hands transmit regularly.
Fortunately, there are methods for cleaning your mousepad and preventing its eventual destruction! Here are two quick and easy ways to clean your mouse pad that are straightforward and excellent solutions to restore your mousepad’s magnificent appearance.
Before you start, you’re going to need:
- Some warm water (running warm water will also work)
- Some dish soap
- One clean sponge
- One dry towel
To begin, fill the sink or bathtub with warm water and hand or dish soap. Soak the mousepad in the water when it’s nice and soapy. Lightly rub the mousepad’s surface using a sponge (apply a bit more pressure if the stains are more stubborn).
When you’re sure, you’ve eliminated all of the desired stains, rinse the mousepad thoroughly to remove any remaining soap. To dry the mousepad, pat it dry with your towel rather than rubbing it violently.
You may also decide to open your towel, lay it flat, and then place the mousepad on top of the towel and fold it inside the towel – this will help it dry quicker. After that, let it air dry for at least 24 hours to get the best effects. Finally, your freshly cleaned mousepad will be ready to use!
You might also use a washing machine to clean your mousepad (although you should check with the manufacturer to make sure). Warm water is best because, while hot water can kill bacteria, it can also harm the rubber backing.
I wrote an article on how to dry stuff quickly here. It will work on regular mousepads if you’re very gentle.
Can Alcohol Damage A Mousepad?
As far as possible, try to avoid using any alcohol-based products to clean mousepads; in fact, it would be better for alcohol products to stay far away! Alcohol harms a mousepad by diluting and weakening the fabric, thereby causing irreversible damage to the surface where the mouse travels and making it difficult to navigate the mouse.
Furthermore, the alcohol strips the “oils” and substances in the mousepad, causing the mousepad to become inflexible. It is always better to opt for soap and water when it comes to cleaning mousepads.
However, this is primarily true for soft mousepad fabrics. Regarding hard mousepads, using a little rubbing alcohol on hard mousepads will not negatively affect the mousepad.
How Often Should You Clean A Mousepad?
When it comes to cleaning your mousepad, there is no set regimen. Because buildup from spills, food, skin flakes, and other things can increase friction on the pad and prevent your mouse from gliding over it effortlessly, you should clean it anytime you find it’s filthy.
Otherwise, wiping your pad with a wet cloth once a week to eliminate surface filth is a good idea, or cleaning it thoroughly once a month or every other month as needed.
Can You Iron A Mousepad?
If you have a mousepad that tends to curl around the edges or has wrinkles, there are some surefire methods for straightening these out.
You may decide to place another piece of cloth over the mousepad and then iron over it. The heat from the iron will do a great job of straightening out the wrinkles or curled-up edges. Take caution, however, not to apply pressure with the iron in one place for extended periods, or you may damage it.
Furthermore, could also place the mousepad in the warm sun with something heavy resting on top of the mousepad, such as books. Leave the mousepad with the heavy object for an hour, and then check on it to see whether it is still curled-up or wrinkled; otherwise, leave it for longer in the sun.
Lastly, steam is also a good option for removing curls or wrinkles from a mousepad. The combination of heat loosens the fabric on the mousepad, allowing it to relax and straighten before hardening once more and taking a better shape than before.
If the first three alternatives are not an option, don’t fret; curled-up edges and wrinkles will naturally disappear over time. It may not be as quick and instantaneous as the other two methods, but it is still guaranteed. The more you use it, the more you’ll notice that the mouse will act as the “iron” that straightens any wrinkles or edges.
How To Clean A RGB Mousepad?
To clean an RGB mousepad, you’re going to need some dish soap, a microfiber cloth, and a towel.
Make care to disconnect an RGB mousepad and keep it away from other devices before cleaning it. After that, dampen your microfiber cloth with warm water and a drop of dish soap.
Squeeze and wring out the microfiber cloth until it is moist but still soapy to avoid water getting into any ports. Gently run the cloth over your mouse pad, being sure to get all of the corners. Rinse your microfiber cloth one more to ensure that all of the soap has disappeared.
Then wipe the area with a moist towel to remove any residual soap from the mouse pad. Allow the mouse pad to dry on a towel once it is clean; leave it for up to 24 hours for the best results.
How To Clean A Rubber Mousepad?
Whether to get rid of your mousepad and get a new one is a somewhat subjective topic. Essentially, the final choice should depend on the condition of your mousepad.
That said, here are some general guidelines that most people adhere to:
More dirt, sweat, and grime will accumulate inside the mousepad if you live in a hot and humid climate. As such, you may need to wash it every three to four months. If you live in a place that is not humid and you sweat less, you may only need to wash your mouse pad every six months, depending on how dirty it has become.
Some people replace their mousepads every year, while others purchase a new one every second year. However, some have kept their mousepad for five or six years and have never changed it, only washing it as needed.
There is no official rule on whether to replace a mousepad, but factors such as food, sweat, grime, dirt, and frequency of use undoubtedly contribute to the longevity of a mousepad.
Can You Put A Mousepad In The Dryer?
The heat from a dryer, like hot water, might harm the non-slip backing of your mousepad. It’s safer to let the pad air dry on its own rather than risk it.
If you’re concerned about the delay, try buying a second mousepad so you’ll always have one on hand when you need to use your computer.
How To Clean A Plastic Mousepad?
Cleaning a plastic mousepad is one of the easier mousepad types to clean! Before you start the cleaning process, you’re going to need a mild dishwashing liquid, a sponge, and a clean towel. Then, follow these steps:
- In a clean sink or bathtub, place the mousepad at the bottom. Apply a tiny quantity of soap to the mousepad after wetting it with warm water.
- Apply the soap to the mousepad’s surface and clean any spots away with the sponge. If your mousepad has a pattern on the top, use a soft sponge to avoid scratching the surface.
- Repeat on the other side of the mousepad. Then repeat the process.
- Place the towel on the floor, then the mousepad on top of it. Wrap the towel around the mousepad and gently push it down. The towel will absorb extra moisture, reducing drying time and preventing mold.
- Allow drying in a well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight to minimize fading.
How To Clean A Neoprene Mousepad?
If you want to check whether a mousepad is dirty, try running your nails over it; it will leave trails behind wherever there is dirt. A microfiber cloth can help remove dirt and grime, but it is only a temporary solution as it doesn’t penetrate the mousepad or clean it properly.
If you aim to do a full clean, avoid using a washing machine because it can damage the mousepad.
Lay it flat and spread it in either the bath or the shower. Next, get some laundry powder and sprinkle it over the top of the mousepad; you only need about a handful, but it may differ depending on the size of the mousepad.
Afterward, get a clean sponge and start massaging the laundry powder into the mousepad, ensuring that you cover the entire mousepad so that you can loosen all the dirt, grime, and dust particles.
Leave the mousepad to soak in the laundry powder water for roughly twenty to thirty minutes, then repeat the process of massaging the entire mousepad with your clean sponge. Avoid washing the base of the mousepad with the sponge because you will remove the stickiness and grip of the mousepad and cause it to slide on your desk.
Then, get your towel, dab the bottom of the mousepad dry, and then do the same for the top. After dabbing, it’s time to leave the mousepad out to dry; don’t leave it out in the hot sun, or it may weaken the fibers in the mousepad and damage it. Instead, leave it out in the late afternoon when the sun is a little weaker.
When the mousepad is completely dry, it should look brand new! Go ahead and run your nails over it again; you shouldn’t see any trailing now. If you still see trailing, it means you may have missed a spot and didn’t completely cover your mousepad with the sponge.
How To Clean A Hard Mousepad?
Hard mousepads wear out faster than fabric mousepads, and mouse feet wear out faster as well. They do, however, offer far less friction than cotton mousepads and are easier to clean. Mousepads’ enemies are dust and grime, increasing friction and wear; thus, cleaning them is essential.
Regardless of the mousepad you have, warm water works better than cold water to loosen up those clumps of dirt and debris. Rubbing alcohol is exceptionally effective in breaking down oils and grease on tougher mousepads.
Apply a tiny amount of rubbing alcohol to a small area of your hard mousepad, focusing on the gunky patches; they should easily dissolve. Allow your mousepad to air dry, which should take no more than 10 minutes, and you’re ready to use it again once there are no more signs of alcohol on it.
Conclusion
If you can draw with your finger on your mousepad, it’s probably too dirty. If you scratch the pad with your fingers and leave traces, it’s an indication that there’s a lot of nasty grime hidden in the fabric, and it’s time to clean it thoroughly.
I’m an expert wardrobe organizer and a bit of a clean freak. I created this website and its YouTube channel to share practical guides about laundry and organizing. My teachings have been featured in multiple large news publications, and I’ve self-published two wardrobe organizing books and an entire course on the subject.