There's something on your desk that you use every day, but you never clean it. Did you look at the condition of your mousepad recently? It’s about time you give it a good wash!
Read on for our guide on how to clean your mousepad to sterilize viruses and bacteria. We’ll also cover if you can machine-wash your mousepad and how to clean your RGB mousepad.
Different Types of Mouse Pads
As you know already, there are many types of mouse pads available. Because of that, there isn't a single cut-and-dry method to clean or wash them all. Some mousepads include RGB lighting, which drastically changes how you approach cleaning.
Let's take a look at how you wash different types of mousepads.
How to Clean a Cloth Mousepad
If you have a soft cloth mousepad, there’s not a lot you need to worry about. You can clean it using a machine or by hand.
1. Hand Washing Method
- Fill your sink with warm water and some soap.
- Toss your mousepad into the sink, then use your hand or a sponge to rub the mousepad surface, applying as much pressure as needed to remove the stains.
- Rinse your mousepad after the initial cleansing. If the stains are stubborn and the dirt engrained, it might need a second round of washing.
- Rinse it again, making sure there's no soap left on the surface of your mousepad.
- Pat your mousepad dry to remove the absorbed water.
- Let it air dry until all moisture evaporates.
That's pretty much it! Even if you haven't washed any clothes before, by following these tips you should now at least be able to wash your mousepad properly.
2. Machine Washing Method
Let's now take a look at how to wash your cloth mousepad using a washing machine:
- Set your washing machine to cold temperature, a low tumble setting, and a short cycle.
- Add a dash of any regular detergent powder or soap of your liking.
- Toss in your mousepad and let it wash for a few minutes. You don't have to complete the entire cycle, especially if you cannot configure the cycle time.
- Rinse the mousepad after removing it from the machine.
- Pat the mousepad to remove excess water.
- Let it air dry until all moisture evaporates.
There you have it! You've learned how to clean your cloth mousepad using a washing machine and by hand.
For soft cloth, non-electric mouse pads you can use either of the two cleaning methods.
How to Clean an RGB Mousepad
RGB mousepads have wiring in them that we need to be careful about while trying to wash.
Because the RGB lighting can be damaged if we toss them inside a washing machine, we will, therefore, only use the manual hand washing method for RGB mousepads.
- Take a sponge and dip it in soapy water. Squeeze out the excess water (this is important!) and rub it on your RGB mousepad's surface.
- Avoid cleaning where there are any wires and connections, clean everything else.
- Rinse the sponge with normal water, removing the absorbed soapy water.
- Rub the sponge on the mousepad again to remove any excess soap. Then, rub the mousepad with the other clean side of the sponge.
- Let it air dry until the mousepad is completely dry and ready to use.
Bingo! A ready-to-use, clean, and shiny RGB mousepad is ready!
How to Wash a Mousepad Properly
Mousepad washing doesn't always come to mind when you're spring cleaning, but because of its proximity to your skin, dirt can easily accumulate. Here are some common questions regarding mousepad cleaning regimes.
Is It Bad to Wash Your Mousepad Too Often?
Ideally, you should wash your mousepad once a month. However, in the summer, you may need to wash it twice a month, but if you don't sweat a lot, once a month is what you're looking at.
Will the Colors Get Washed Off After Cleaning It?
If you don't use a strong detergent, the colors shouldn't wash off or become dull after washing. Don't rub your mousepad too hard either, as it'll also contribute to washed-off colors.
Can a Dirty Mousepad Affect Gaming?
Yes, a dirty mousepad, especially if it's greasy and is resistant to your mouse movement, can affect your gaming performance. Clean your mousepad once a month at least, to get the best gaming performance and accurate aims.
You've Cleaned Your Mousepad!
We didn't cover how to wash each and every brand's mousepad, but we did share how to wash each type of mousepad.
Now that you've cleaned your mousepad, you should probably also consider cleaning your keyboard to sterilize viruses and bacteria too.
