Cleaning a mouse pad is not always straightforward. A regular washcloth might leave water residue or scratches, which could eventually start to harm the mouse. Mouse pads can’t be cleaned just any way – it’s important to know what sort of surface you’re working with, and whether it’s a cloth or rubber pad.
After going into deep internet research, I found out there is not much abundance of guides that would help me figure out how to clean an RGB mouse pad without damaging it. That’s why I figured I would be the guinea pig and figure out how to clean it myself.
So after some research, this is what I ended up doing, and it worked out for me well.
Some guides for cleaning mouse pads will have you submerge the whole pad in a tub or sink, which is ideal for a thorough cleaning but doesn’t work for an RGB mouse pad because there are electronics in the RGB mouse pad.
Table of Contents
Unplug RGB mouse pad
It’s important to be safe than sorry, so unplug your RGB mouse pad before you do any cleaning with it. This will prevent any electrical shock that may occur while you are cleaning it. You can use a cloth or sponge to clean your mouse pad. Remember that the mouse pad surface may get scratches, so you should be very careful when cleaning it.
Use sponge and rinse with warm water
Use a sponge and rinse the mouse pad with warm water. This will remove any dust particles that may have collected on the surface of the mouse pad. If you are able to, you can also add some alcohol on the mouse pad while rinsing it. This will not only clean the mouse pad, but also give it a nice fragrance.
Check if the surface of the mouse pad still looks dirty and if it does, repeat the process above until the mouse pad is completely free from any dirt or dust particles.
If you have a spray bottle, you can also spray some warm water and alcohol on the mouse pad while rinsing it
If you have a toothbrush that you can use it for the hard to reach areas like the corners of the mouse pad. Again, you should be gentle when using a toothbrush and not scratch the surface of the mouse pad.
Use hands when applying soap
For many people, the best way to wash is using soap with your hands. Hands can reach all areas of the body of the mouse pad, eliminating any pesky dirt that may be present. Make sure to scrub it with a little of force but should be nothing to extreme or you may damage the surface of the mouse pad.
Don’t scrub the edges and stitching
Be careful scrubbing around the edges to not ruin the stitching and around the RGB module, as you may short something out. Remember that the stitching is there to keep the mouse pad in place and if you force the stitching open, it may fall off or worse yet harm the RGB in your mouse pad.
Don’t allow water to sip in
If you get water on it or around it, try to swipe it with a towel quickly it’s not let water seep in. The water might damage the RGB lights in the mouse pad as well, and I bet you wouldn’t want that to happen.
Use a damp towel to remove soap
Once I finished scrubbing, I got a damp towel and wet down the pad to get all the soap out of it. It will absorb some of the soap and then you can use a dry towel to wipe the pad clean.
Let it dry
Leave your mouse pad to dry or you can use an air blower on medium to blow air on it to speed up the drying process. Once it’s dry, you can use it again. Make sure it’s totally dry before you plug it in again on your computer.
After the drying is done, you should be ready to use your mouse pad again. That’s all there is to it.
It might sound like a lot of work, but with practice and a little of patience, those spots where the mouse pad is worn or showing signs of wear will disappear.
Do’s and don’t of cleaning mouse pads
Mouse pads can be anything from small to large, and some even have a keyboard built in. However, they require frequent cleaning so that the germs and dirt don’t collect on them. You should avoid using too much soap, water, oils, or abrasive materials as they could damage your mouse pad.
Follow these helpful tips to keep your mouse pad clean and functioning well.
Use baking soda to remove stains and smells or give your new gaming mouse pad a good cleaning by washing it with the water manually
- As much as it is tempting to throw your mouse pad into your washing machine, don’t do it. It may distort the rubber padding underneath or cause the cloth to fray.
- As tempting as it may be to throw your mouse pad into your washing machine, do not do it. Doing so may cause the under pad to become detached from the fabric, or cause the cloth to fray.
- Avoid using hot water
Cleaning materials you can use
Cleaning can be a demanding, time-consuming task. You should explore different options for cleaning materials before deciding on the best one for you.
From harsh chemicals to natural herbs and oils, there is something that will satisfy every type of cleaner and their varying needs.
But you should know that mouse pads have different materials and so it’s important to take note of these cleaning materials you can use:
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Alcohol
- Mild soap
- No lint cloth
- All purpose dish cloth
Conclusion
A mouse pad is a surface that a computer mouse is used on. They are typically made of hard plastic and can have a rough or smooth surface. RGB mouse pads are commonly used by gamers because of the added color features. These mouse pads are easy to clean and are also easy to use. Some people prefer a smooth surface over a rough one. You might need to unplug your mouse before cleaning it.
When you are applying RGB lights to your mouse pad, it is important to use a damp towel when you are applying your soap. This will help to avoid any damage to the RGB lights and can make them last longer. Make sure that you do not use too much soap because this might cause the LED lights to get damaged.
