How To Clean A Mousepad The Right Way (Fabric, Rubber, Plastic, Or Wired)
When was the last time you cleaned your mousepad? Hopefully, it was recently because — considering how much time many of us spend at our computers — it’s used constantly, which means it’s also constantly acquiring dirt, grime, crumbs, and other unwanted debris. Not only is this unsightly and unsanitary, but it can even affect performance as dirt and debris can enter the mouse. You certainly don’t want to let things get to this point, especially if you’re using a pricey, high-quality mouse or one ofthe best gaming mice available to improve your gaming.
Computers and computer accessories aren’t typically cheap, which is why you’ll want to follow anyuseful and important tips for PC maintenancethat you find. Even if your mousepad is cheap and you don’t give it much thought, it’s not exempt from this importance. Honestly, you should be taking steps to avoid your mousepad getting too dirty in the first place by addressing any spills immediately and regularly sucking up dust and debris around your computer area with a small hand vacuum, as well as frequently disinfecting it with a safe sanitizer.
Once it comes time to actually wash down your mousepad with soap and water, however, you’ll want to make sure you do it correctly so that you don’t do more harm than good. The best methods for cleaning your mousepad depends on the materials it’s made of (or whether it’s individually powered or not). Here is how you’re able to clean your mousepad the right way, whether it’s fabric, cloth, rubber, plastic, or wired.
How to clean a fabric or cloth mousepad
The first thing you’ll want to do is move the mousepad away from your computer so no water gets near it during the cleaning process. To clean a cloth mousepad:
While you can use dish or hand towels, or even paper towels, you should ideally use a microfiber cloth to dry your mousepad, as they leave less lint, which could work its way into the mouse and clog up components.
How to clean a plastic mousepad
Plastic mousepads are typically a little easier to clean than fabric or rubber mousepads, as they are more durable and aren’t at risk of fraying. To clean a plastic mousepad:
Alternatively, you can use the cleaning wipes available in stores that are already pre-soaked in all-purpose cleaner, though you may find these too moist for the job. They can be useful if you’re looking for a cleaner that also has antibacterial properties.
How to clean a rubber mousepad
Rubber mousepads are pretty common, as a thick layer of textured rubber is a great way to keep it in place on your desk as you move your mouse. Like plastic, rubber is pretty durable, so you won’t need to be as delicate with it or with the cleaning solutions you use. However, it’s also susceptible to fraying like a fabric mousepad, so you’ll still need to exercise some caution.
Rubber doesn’t clean quite as easily as frictionless plastic, so you may need to put a little extra elbow grease as you rub the surface of the mousepad to remove any dirt and stubborn debris. You definitely don’t want to use a washing machine or dryer with rubber mousepads, as not only can rubber fray but can melt as well.
How to clean a wired mousepad
Wired mousepads are less common but are beloved by some users and gamers since they can include cool-looking integrated lights, USB ports, or wireless charging capabilities. You may also prefer using a dedicated touchpad with a desktop instead of a mouse, such as theApple Magic Trackpad 2 — which SlashGear reviewedand calls a “real pleasure to use.” Since these devices have electronic components and possibly open ports, you’ll need to use extra care when cleaning them.
To be on the safe side, check the operator’s manual for your wired mousepad and make sure there aren’t any cleaning solutions or materials that shouldn’t be used with it. While some multi-purpose surface cleaners may be fine to use instead of soap, others might damage your device. You should always try to keep your mousepad clean, but more importantly, you’ll want it to keep working.
