Mouse Pads can be nasty hubs of dirt, grime, and even bacteria. When used for too long without cleaning, it can attract a healthy number of health-hazardous species. Aside from the visible dirt and grime, another telltale sign of your mouse pad needing cleanup is tracking. You might find it harder to navigate the mouse through the pad.
While it sounds rather very easy to do, there is a right way of cleaning. Otherwise, you can end up destroying your mousepad altogether.
Two types of mouse pads
Before we head on to the dirty job, let’s see first the two types of mouse pads. And each one has a more suitable method of cleaning.
Fabric mousepad
Since these have a more porous material, this type can be harder to clean. Especially if you have accidentally spilled liquids or drinks on it. It can penetrate deep into the fabric, making it harder to clean and dry. Stains may also be inevitable.
So here is a simple yet effective way of cleaning a fabric mouse pad
- Let’s gather the first materials that we need. Warm or very warm water can also aid in removing the grime easier and faster. If you accidentally spilled coffee or juice into the mousepad, you have to clean it right away so that the liquid would not settle deep into the fabric.
We often use warm water and a gentle dishwashing liquid. In some cases, shampoo or liquid soap might also do. This will give you the liberty to add a personal scent to your mousepad.
- You also need a basin. If you have a larger mousepad, the sink will be a better place to clean it.
- Prep the water, making sure it is warm enough to remove grime and oil. Submerge the fabric mousepad into the warm water.
- Then pour the shampoo, liquid soap, or dishwashing liquid into the basin or sink. Make sure to use gentle formulas to not destroy the fabric, harsh shampoos and soaps can stain a fabric mouse pad.
- Use a small soft brush or an old toothbrush to remove all the dirt off the mousepad. Make sure that you brush and clean all the nooks and crannies. Pay special attention to each area but be careful not to scrub them too hard. Excess scrubbing can rip off any logo the pad may have.
- Rinse the mousepad with cold water and let it hang to dry.
Hard surface mouse pad
These mouse pads are easier to clean since they do not have a porous material. You also don’t need a lot of water, it is advised to use minimal water and avoid submerging the mousepad into any form of liquid.
- You need a microfiber towel and a screen cleaner. If you don’t have one, alcohol will do.
- Spray the solution or alcohol on the surface of the mouse pad. Then using the microfiber towel, scrub off all the dirt and grime. You can use extra pressure on areas that appear oilier and dirtier.
- You can also use a disinfectant to remove the germs.
- To dry it off, simply wipe off with a clean cloth.
Here are some questions that might be on your mind
Can I wash the fabric mousepad in the washing machine?
While some brands are okay with this since this is a more convenient route, we advise against it. Throwing it in the washing machine can distort the shape of the mouse pad and even destroy the stitches on the fabric. This can also add to the wear and tear of the fabric.
Fabric mouse pads can be a nightmare when left uncleaned for a long time, how can you remedy this?
How often have you spilled coffee or any liquid into your mousepad? If the answer is very often or you’re highly key to, switching to a fabric mousepad with a water-repellant or water-resistant fabric may be the wiser choice. This will make cleanup easier as the liquid has less tendency, if none at all, to penetrate deep into the fabric material.
It’s often overlooked, but you have to clean your mouse pads regularly
As we have mentioned above, mouse pads can be a breeding and thriving ground for bacteria. Imagine hovering your mouse and hands along a surface ridden with not just dirt but several health-hazardous microorganisms. That doesn’t sound too cool right?
It doesn’t mean you have to do it, you have to clean just whenever the need arises. Telltale signs are visible dirt, spilling liquid, the mousepad feeling oiler and grimier than usual, and you there are already tracking.