How to clean your mouse pad: Spruce up your gaming setup

Wondering how to clean a cloth or cloth mouse pad? Check out these simple steps to have your setup feeling fresh, clean and ready to play just by following these instructions.

If you’re looking to clean your mouse pad, spills or debris from snacks or groceries can quickly build up. Even dust can wreak havoc on clean, black mouse pads, but we’ve rounded up our top tips on how you might be able to clean them.

Dust and dirt can build up on the surface over time, which is something you want to avoid. Plus, it’s simply more hygienic to clean your mouse pad regularly, just like you should any other surface in your home. It’s also a great way to protect your mouse and keyboard, as well as your entire gaming setup. Nothing beats a clean setup, literally and figuratively.

But this is often overlooked because it is not normally associated with cleaning. But since mouse pads come in all shapes, sizes, and materials, it can be difficult to really pinpoint how to clean your particular mouse pad. But we’ve got you covered right here.

How do you wash a mouse pad?

You can wash a mouse pad with warm water, isopropyl alcohol, a microfiber cloth, a soft cloth, a sponge, and some laundry detergent. However, depending on the type of mouse pad you own, there are a few methods you can use to clean it.

How to clean a plastic mouse pad

A plastic mouse pad is easy to clean compared to its cloth-based counterparts. All you have to do is use a soft microfiber cloth to dust the surface first and make sure there are no particles. Then you should get a separate soft cloth and dab it lightly with isopropyl alcohol. Then rub over the affected areas and you will find that the stains and dirt come off effortlessly. This method can even remove sticky stains, and you should only use moderate force when cleaning.

Isopropyl alcohol will not affect fancy RGB colors you may have on your mouse pad. However, you should make sure that it is disconnected from your system before cleaning it.

How to clean a cloth mouse pad

Cleaning a cloth mouse pad is a bit more difficult than a plastic mouse pad because you don’t want to disturb the fibers too much or negatively affect the surface. First go over the surface with a microfiber cloth to pick up any breakaway particles.

Once you’ve cleaned up the surface dirt, we recommend filling a bowl with warm, but not boiling, water. From there, grab a sponge or other soft surface. Then dip the mouse pad and use a small amount of detergent. It can only be a few drops. Then scrub the surface lightly.

Be very careful when scrubbing and make sure your mouse pad does not stretch or warp in any way during the process. When you are satisfied with your work, take out the mouse pad and let it air dry.

Then you can put it back on your desk, all sparkling clean.

Why isn’t my mouse pad working?

Functionally, a mouse pad is just a surface that allows your mouse to glide smoothly across the surface. However, if your mouse pad isn’t working as intended, it may be dirty or the surface may be compromised by excessive dirt, an uneven surface, or frayed fabric. In some of these cases, you might just need to get a brand new one, so we’ve listed some of our tips below.

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