How to Clean a Mousepad

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Penned by Austin Carroll

Austin Carroll is a writer and web designer from Eugene, Oregon. He's been at HGG for five years and maintains an active role designing and develop... Read more

Reviewed by Benjamin Barr

Look – we get it. You gotta have those snacks, and you’re not gonna stray too far from the action to eat them. Sweat, grease, and other spills can quickly build up. At the same time, a clean mousepad looks way better and is necessary for precision maneuvering in your favorite games. Well, not to worry. This article takes you through the steps of how to clean a mousepad so you can snack without fear of spills or stray crumbs. Also, how do you clean those annoying white bits of dust that stand out, particularly on black surfaces? Don’t worry, will cover that too.

Fortunately, learning how to clean your mousepad is a cinch and it shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes. Moreover, you probably have all the supplies you need hiding under a sink or in that closet you never open. Ready for a clean slate? Let’s dive right in.

How to Clean a Mousepad

So how do you clean a mousepad? Well, it depends. That’s because there are several different types of mousepads on the market, and the cleaning process depends on what yours is made of. To that end, we’ve categorized the different cleaning methods based on material. Simply consult the list below and follow the appropriate instructions to get back in the game quickly.

Cloth

By far the most common type of mousepad, these are also the most difficult to clean. That’s because you’ll need to go back to basics and wash them by hand.

You may be thinking, I’ll just throw it in the washing machine! Unfortunately, we don’t recommend that unless the manufacturer explicitly states their product is machine washable. Many cloth mousepads are made of high-tech or specialty fibers, and these don’t always hold up to rigorous spin cycles. Besides, it’s not that hard to give ‘em a good rub down.

Here’s how to wash a mousepad.

Required Supplies:

• Soap
• Water basin, e.g. a sink or tub
• Soft bristle brush
• Warm water
• Drying rack

Cleaning Process:

1. Gather your supplies
2. Fill the water basin with warm water & a few drops of liquid soap
3. Submerge your cloth mousepad
4. Take a soft bristle brush and gently clean the top and bottom surfaces
5. Rinse
6. Hang the mousepad on a drying rack to air dry
7. Voila! Good as new.

Plastic

Plastic mouse pads are by far the easiest to clean. That’s because their surfaces are exceptionally durable and completely nonporous. Check out the simple process below to see the best way to clean a mousepad made of plastic:

Required Supplies:

• Multipurpose wipes or multipurpose cleaner
• Damp cloth

Cleaning Process:

1. Gather up multipurpose cleaning wipes or spray-on cleaner and a damp cloth
2. Apply to the mousepad and rub away any grease or grime
3. Wipe it down with a dry cloth or simply wait a few minutes for it to air dry

Neoprene & Rubber

Wondering how to clean a neoprene mouse pad? Neoprene is a type of artificial rubber that’s often used on the bottom of mouse pads due to its excellent grip-ability and non-skid surface. If you only need to clean this part of the mousepad, the process is pretty straightforward:

Required Supplies:

• Mild cleanser
• Bowl
• Sponge
• Warm water

Cleaning Process:

1. Gather the supplies
2. Fill your bowl with warm water and pour in a few drops of mild cleanser
3. Flip your mousepad over, wet your sponge, and rub the neoprene down (the ribbed surface of the sponge should remove any particles sticking to the rubber)
4. Continue until clean
5. Air dry

Other Considerations

While rare, you’ll occasionally encounter mouse pads that feature unusual materials or unique cleaning requirements. If that’s the case, consult the list below.

How to Clean an Electronic Mousepad

If your mousepad incorporates electronic elements such as LEDs, you’ll need to be extra careful to protect these during the cleaning process. That said, it’s usually best to follow the plastic mousepad care instructions mentioned above.

How to Clean a Gaming Mousepad

Curious about how to clean a HyperX Mousepad or other gaming mat? Even if it incorporates specialty fabrics, the cloth instructions above are the way to go. And if you’re ever in doubt about a specific product, simply consult the manual or contact the manufacturer.

How to Clean a Specialty Mousepad

You may come across other types of mousepads, such as metal or glass. Simply wipe these down with warm water, then remove the excess liquid with a paper towel or cloth. Boom! You’re good to go.

How to Clean a Leather Mousepad

Leather mouse pads are different from the others on our list due to the nature of this premium material. That means you’ll want to avoid typical cleaning solutions. Instead, opt for a leather cleaner and conditioner, and carefully follow the instructions on the bottle.

How to Clean a Mousepad w/ Wrist Rests

Some mousepads have wrist rests, aka foam, built into them. Never submerge these mouse pads in water! Instead, follow the instructions for rubber mousepads above, but substitute cleanser for soap and only use water on the foam portion.