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Best Way to Clean a Mousepad: Like a Pro

Updated
How to clean a mousepad so you can enjoy a smooth gaming experience again.

If you use a mousepad, then you know how important it is to keep it clean. Stains, dirt, and grime can interfere with the tracking and make it hard to control your mouse. This is devastating if you’re a gamer.

Thankfully, most mousepads are easy to clean no matter whether you use a PC or Mac computer. Just follow these simple instructions to learn how to clean a mousepad and you’ll be on your way to effortless gaming again.

Key Takeaways

  • Clean your mousepad 3-4 times a year using dish soap, water, and a soft scrub brush or cloth.
  • For cloth and foam mousepads, submerge in lukewarm water, gently scrub with dish soap, rinse, and air dry on a towel for 24-48 hours.
  • For RGB and wired mousepads, unplug, gently scrub with a damp, soapy microfiber cloth, and air dry before using again.
  • Avoid washing machine and dryer use, as they can damage your mousepad; instead, hand wash and air dry.


How Often to Clean a Mousepad

You will need to clean your mousepad at least 3 to 4 times a year. Mousepads become filthy because your hands are constantly touching them. This means that if you’re using your computer after lunch, you may be adding grease and germs to the mousepad.

Add a couple of coffee spills and your mousepad will be filthy.

How to Clean a Rubber or Plastic Mousepad

The best mousepad cleaner to use is dish soap. It will cut through the dirt, grime, and grease without damaging your pad.

  • Time: 10 minutes
  • Difficulty: Beginner

What You’ll Need

1. Dampen the Cloth

Dampen your microfiber cloth in some freshwater.

2. Wipe Your Mousepad

Scrub your mousepad with a damp cloth to remove the dirt and grime. If your mousepad is filthy, add some dish soap to your cloth and scrub the stain with it. The dish soap will help cut through the grime without damaging the mousepad.

3. Rinse Your Mousepad

Remove all the soapy water from your pad by rinsing it with fresh water.

4. Dry the Mousepad

Use a clean and dry microfiber cloth to dry your mousepad. Your mousepad may need several hours to dry if it has a fabric backing. However, non-porous mousepads can be used immediately.

How to Clean a Cloth Mousepad

Foam and cloth mousepads have a superior feel to a regular rubber pad. However, they need a bit more work to clean.

  • Time: 15 minutes + drying time
  • Difficulty: Beginner

What You’ll Need

  • Container or sink
  • Water
  • Dish soap
  • Soft cleaning brush or toothbrush
  • Clean dry cloth
  • Towel

1. Fill a Sink

Fill a sink or container with lukewarm water. Make sure the water isn’t too hot or you’ll damage your mousepad.

2. Immerse Mousepad

Put your mousepad into the container and make sure it’s completely immersed in the water.

3. Scrub Mousepad

Add a small amount of dish soap to your mousepad and use your cleaning brush to gently scrub the mousepad. The dish soap can cut through the grease and dirt on your mousepad without damaging it.

Work the soap into the fabric to remove the dirt. You may need to add more soap and scrub several times to remove the tougher stains from your pad.

4. Rinse the Mousepad

Once your mousepad is clean, rinse it under running water to remove all the soap from the pad.

5. Dry the Mousepad

Remove the mousepad from the water and give it a good shake. Then pat it dry with a clean and dry cloth. Then lay it flat on a towel to air dry.

You’ll want to make sure that the pad is completely flat so that it doesn’t develop any creases or beds as it dries. Allow it to dry for 24-48 hours before using it.

How to Clean an RGB Mousepad

RGB is a mousepad that’s designed for high-level gaming. It includes a hard surface for your mouse and RGB lighting as well. This means that an RGB mousepad, along with other wired mousepads, has electronics.

You will need to be careful to make sure that you can clean your mousepad without water damaging it.

  • Time: 15 minutes + drying time
  • Difficulty: Beginner

What You’ll Need

  • Bowl
  • Dish soap
  • 2 microfiber cloths

1. Unplug

Unplug your mousepad or remove any batteries to ensure there’s no electrical current running to your pad.

2. Dampen Cloth

Add some lukewarm water to the bowl. Submerge your microfiber cloth in the water before adding some dish soap to the cloth. Wring out the cloth to make sure that it’s not dripping wet.

3. Scrub Mousepad

Scrub the surface of your mousepad with a cloth to remove all the dirt, grime, and grease on it. Dampen your cloth and add more dish soap as needed to scrub away the filth. Make sure you wring out the cloth each time so that you don’t soak your mousepad.

Continue scrubbing until your mousepad looks clean.

4. Dry Mousepad

Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth to wipe up as much water as possible from your mousepad. Then allow it to dry in a way that will prevent the electronics inside your pad from being exposed to water. Wait until your mousepad is completely dry before plugging it back to use.

Can You Put a Mousepad in the Washing Machine?

Yes, you can wash many mousepads in the washing machine. However, the machine is more likely to damage your mousepad so the best way to clean a mousepad is to hand wash it.

To clean your mousepad in the washing machine, put your mousepad in the drum and add a tiny amount of dish soap or mild detergent to the machine. Then set the machine to cold and a gentle spin cycle. Once the wash cycle is finished, allow your mousepad to air dry for 24-36 hours before using it.

How to Dry a Mousepad

To dry your mouse mat properly, allow it to air dry flat on a towel for 24-36 hours. This will help to prevent creases and bends from forming in your pad as it dries.

Another option is to blow dry your mousepad using a hairdryer. Use the lowest setting and make sure you have enough distance between the hairdryer and the pad to prevent damage.

Do not put your mousepad in the dryer as the heat will damage it.

Why Is My Mouse Still Sticking?

High humidity can cause a mouse to stick to the mousepad. You can try using a dehumidifier to remove the excess moisture from the air or open a window to improve the airflow.

Another reason your mouse may be sticking to the pad is that the pad has become worn down. Mousepads often include a slick surface to help the mouse glide over the pad. Over time, this surface wears off and the mouse will stick to the pad.

Try turning the mousepad over to use the other side. Otherwise, it may be time to replace your mousepad.

A dirty mouse will also stick to the mousepad. The solution here is to clean your mouse.

FAQs

Does Water Ruin a Mousepad?

No, mousepads are made of waterproof materials such as cloth and rubber, so water will not ruin them. The exceptions are RGB or wired mousepads. They contain electronics that will be damaged if they become wet.

How Long Do Mouse Pads Last?

Mousepads are designed to last for 5-10 years even if you use the mouse pad every day. Some signs that you will need to replace your mousepad are when it starts to display obvious damage, a rough surface, or when deep cleaning your mousepad no longer removes the grime.

Can You Blow Dry Mousepads?

Yes, you can blow dry a mousepad. Use the lowest setting of your blow dryer, and make sure you keep some distance between your blow dryer and the mousepad. Be careful as the heat of your blow dryer may damage the mousepad.

Is a Mouse Pad Necessary?

Yes, it’s recommended that you use a mousepad if you’re using a mouse.

The feet of your mouse is sensitive and prone to damage. At the same time, your desk will be scratched by the friction of the mouse constantly rubbing against it. The mousepad protects both your mouse and your desk.

Is it Okay to Iron a Mousepad?

It is okay to iron a mousepad, provided you check the manufacturer’s guidelines first. Some pads are made from materials that get damaged with the heat.

How Do You Break In a New Mousepad?

The best way to break in a new mousepad is to wash it with soapy water and then scrub the surface with a scourer. It removes the shiny coating that makes the pad feel like it’s covered in a thin layer of ice.



How to Wash a Mousepad

If you’re looking to wash your mousepad, whether it’s a mousepad with a wrist rest, a Razer mousepad, a Glorious gaming mousepad, or a SteelSeries mousepad, you will need to know how to wash your mousepad properly. The best way to clean your mousepad is to wipe it down with a damp cloth to remove all of the grime and dirt. Then dry it with a microfiber cloth.

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About the Author

Sara Dennis

Sara Dennis is a coffee-loving freelance writer, homeschool blogger, and mom of six kids. In her free time, Sara loves reading books and researching more efficient and effective ways to keep a clean house, homeschool her children, and blog better while making a home for her large family.