A mousepad, like any other part of your everyday workspace or gaming station, can get dirty. This is especially true if you use the mousepad every single day or for rigorous and intensive activities such as gaming. As newer and more technically elaborate mousepads become available in the market, it is time to have a new look at the techniques for cleaning mousepads. So, how do you clean all kinds of mousepads?
Cloth-based mousepads are generally easy to clean. You can clean these mousepads either using a washing machine or by hand. However, RGB and other technologically augmented mousepads need a more restrained approach and should only be cleaned with a slightly damp cloth if necessary.
Just like any other part of your gaming setup, you need to keep your mousepad clean. After all, it’s the perfect breeding ground for germs and disease. So, if you want to learn all about the ways you can clean different kinds of mousepads, this is the right article for you!
How Often Should You Clean A Mousepad?
There are lots of ballpark figures when it comes to cleaning mouse pads. Some people think you should clean a mousepad once a month, whereas others think once a year is perfectly reasonable. The answer is somewhere in the middle – most experts suggest that you clean the mousepad at least 4-5 times a year.
That is not to say, however, that those are the only times of the year when you should clean your mouse pad. After all, there are a number of factors that can change this estimate. If other people also use the mouse pad, such as with a shared computer. Another factor that can change this number is what makes the mousepad dirty in the first place?
For the everyday build-up of dirt, you can opt for occasional cleaning, but if you have a spill, you shouldn’t wait. If something gets on your mousepad, you should clean it immediately and not worry about the figure we have given above.
How To Clean A Mousepad
Now that you know how often to clean the mousepad itself, there’s still one big question that is, as of now, unanswered. You need to know how to clean the mousepad correctly and in a way that helps keep your equipment safe and tidy. So, to understand this, you need to make one crucial distinction – the type of mousepad.
While there are many different types made from various materials, there is one significant difference. One type includes wiring, and the other type does not. This makes a crucial difference in how you opt to clean the mousepads from start to finish.
Related: Gaming Mouse vs. Normal Mouse (Our Top 5 Picks)
Cleaning Cloth Mousepads
When we think of mousepads without any wiring, the first thing you’ll consider is the traditional cloth mousepad. This is usually made out of soft cloth and foam, and luckily, it is pretty easy to clean! Since there is no wiring to think of, you can easily clean these types using either the handwashing or the machine washing method. Here’s how each method goes:
Handwashing
To handwash your cloth mousepad, you need to have some water and a little bit of soap on your hand. Then, you can use this method:
- Take a bucket, and fill it using some warm water and soap.
- Put the mousepad into the bucket.
- Rub the surface of the mousepad using either a sponge or your hand.
- Get rid of any stains on the surface using pressure.
- Empty out the bucket, and replace the dirty water with clean water.
- Rinse the mousepad.
- If there are still stains on the mousepad, you may have to repeat the previous steps until it is clean.
- Once your mousepad is completely clean, rinse it a final time.
- Make sure all soap is gone from the surface of the mousepad.
- Remove all of the excess water.
- Let the mousepad air dry in an open, windy space.
Once your mousepad is completely dry, you can start using it again. Complete air drying may take a day or two, but do not rush into using it, as placing a mouse on a wet mousepad can severely damage the device.
Machine Washing
In some cases, you can clean your mousepad using a washing machine. However, this may cause damage to the mousepad if it is not advised by the manufacturer. Always check instructions before opting for this method, as it can be a little abrasive on some of the more sensitive mousepads.
- Start by setting your machine. You should set it to a colder temperature, low tumble, and the shortest cycle option.
- Add a little bit of detergent to the washing machine.
- Put your mousepad in the machine and let it continue washing the mousepad for about 10-15 minutes.
- If the machine does not have a cycle around that time, you can stop the machine yourself.
- Rinse and pat the mousepad to remove any excess water.
- Let the mousepad completely airdry before using it again.
Cleaning RGB Mousepads
When cleaning RGB gaming mousepads and other kinds of mousepads, there’s a lot more to consider. It would help if you were careful about exposing the mousepad to water, as you can ultimately damage the inner wiring. Therefore, you can only use a manual method, and that too with careful consideration. Avoid using too much water for this method, and always use a damp microfibre cloth instead.
Start by taking a microfibre cloth and getting it gently damp with water. The cloth should be damp but not damp enough that you can squeeze any water out of it. Avoid using soap, although you can add a little bit to the mix to clean the surface of the mousepad.
Keep completely away from any of the electrical wiring as even a little bit of water can cause damage. Now, use another microfibre cloth to clean the leftover soap and water on the top of the mousepad. Let the mousepad airdry completely before you use it again.
Conclusion
Any time you need to clean your mousepad, you now know where to look. We hope this article was helpful in learning how and when you need to clean a gaming mousepad!