If you spend a lot of time working on the computer, you would know that having food at the computer table is inevitable. A cup of coffee, a bowl of chips, a box of pizza; whatever it is, it’s only a matter of time before your worktop becomes grimy and dirty.
This extends to the objects that cover your worktop, such as large mousepads. If you’re thinking of cleaning up your workspace, including your mousepad, you should be careful of the types of cleaning ideas that pop up in your head. Most definitely, DO NOT think about washing your mousepad in a dishwasher.
To avoid complete disasters and a few months of regret, stick with our “How to Clean a Mousepad” guide to show you how to clean up your mousepad.
What Type of Mousepad Do I Have?
Mousepads are made with different types of materials; here’s how the types of mousepad materials determine their cleaning method.
Hard Plastic or Metal Mousepads
These types of mousepads are made for modern, high-sensor mouses. Hard plastic and metal mouses do not require much trouble to clean since they do not absorb water, making it easier to spot-clean.
Sometimes, you may not need water to clean these types of mousepads because of their types of surfaces.
Soft Cloth Mousepads
These types of mousepads are a bit more challenging to clean if you are working out the dirt yourself. They are made with a soft cloth that is water absorbent and takes a longer time to dry. There’s also the risk of damaging the designs or ruining the color of the mousepad.
How Often Should You Clean Your Mousepad?
The number of times you clean your mousepad depends on how often you use it. The more you use it, the likelier it is to get stained or grimy.
If you work in an office, three or four times a year is fine to clean your mouse pad. This is because you may not have food around it that can spill on it and cause terrible stains, so you only have to deal with bits of dirt.
However, if you work from home or use it during gameplay, there is a higher likelihood that there may be food spills on it or other stains from sweat and grime during intense gaming sessions. For this, you can increase the number of times you clean your mouse to accommodate the mishaps that may occur.
What you’ll need when cleaning a mousepad
When cleaning your mousepad, here are a few handy items for you:
Hard Plastic or Metal Mousepads
- Mild dish soap
- Soft cloth (damp)/wet wipes
- Dry towel
Soft Cloth Mousepads
- Cleaning brush
- Mild dish soap
- A large sink or bathtub
How To Clean Your Mousepad
The different types of mousepad materials determine how you clean them. See their different cleaning methods below.
Hard Plastic or Metal Mousepads
- Pour a few drops of dish soap on your damp cloth or wet wipes.
- Rub it on the surface of your plastic or metal mousepad and wipe thoroughly until spots and stains come off.
- Rinse out the damp cloth and squeeze out excess water.
- Wipe off the soapy foam from the mousepad using the rinsed cloth.
- Pat dry with a dry towel.
Soft Cloth Mousepads
- Soak your mousepad in a sink or bathtub full of warm water.
- Squeeze a few drops of mild soap onto the mousepad.
- Scrub on the mousepad’s surface gently using the brush (you can increase intensity for tougher stains).
- Rinse the mousepad thoroughly to extract soap and dirt.
- Squeeze out as much water as you can after rinsing.
- Lay it out (cloth surface facing down) on a towel to air-dry.
- If you’re in a hurry, you may use a hand dryer to remove excess moisture.
Quick and Easy Mousepad Cleaning Tips
Some mousepads are machine-washable, making the process faster and easier for you. This, however, only works with soft cloth mousepads.
- Put the mousepad into the machine.
- Add mild detergent or soap.
- Don’t use hot water and set it to a low tumble.
- Air-dry for up to 3 days or until completely dry.
Do’s and Don’ts When You Clean a Mouse Pad
- If you own an LED-fitted or RGB-fitted mousepad, don’t take it near water. Wipe off dirt using a soft, damp cloth and a little dish soap on the cloth. Wipe the soap suds off using a rinsed-out, soft, dry towel.
- Don’t use a wet mousepad; wait till it dries.
- Don’t use heat drying on your plastic or metal mousepad.
- Do change your mousepad if it feels worn out after you have cleaned it properly. Bad mousepads can reduce your mouse performance.
Final Thoughts
Mousepads are an essential accessory for regular computer users, and so maintaining it with the best care is necessary. We have highlighted the safest and easiest way to clean your mousepads in the sections above. Following the steps carefully is in your best interest. Good luck!
