The Ultimate Guide: How to Maintain Your Mouse Pads

If you are a gamer or an office worker, changes are you use mouse pads on your desktop computer to help control your mouse movement and cushion your wrist. A dirty mouse mat can cause problems when moving your computer mouse. This is a big issue for gamers and office workers who need to use their mouse pads regularly. PC gamers require lots of mouse movement and space while people who work from their desk rely on their mouse to get their work done. Having a dirty mouse pad is also an easy way to spread germs since you often touch your mousepad and desktops easily collect dust and germs. Therefore, it is important to keep your mouse pad clean. But how do you wash your mousepad? There are several methods and tips for keeping your mousepad and workspace tidy.

How to Wash a Mousepad

The most recommended and effective method for cleaning a mouse pad is washing it by hand. Most cloth pads just require a little soap, water, and time to get out any spills or dust. If you have a RGB mousepad, however, such as one equipped with lights or a USB port, then you should not wash it due to the increased chances of water damage. For those who use large gaming pads or custom mouse pads, this is the most popular way for keeping your pad clean without ruining it.

	Step 1 Place your mouse pad in your sink or, if you use a large pad, a tub. Lightly dampen your pad with water and either hand soap or mild shampoo. Make sure to use cold water as hot water can damage your pad material and some custom prints.
	Step 2 Use either a sponge or a brush to scrub any particularly dirty spots. It is important to use a soft sponge and brush. Using heavy-duty tools can damage your pad. The trick to cleaning your mouse pad is to be as gentle as possible.
	Step 3 Clean any suds and soap from your pad by rinsing it with cold water. Again, make sure the water is cold so that you will not ruin your mouse pad. After you are done rinsing the pad, make sure there are no signs of soap left.
	Step 4 Take a towel and pat your mouse pad dry. This action needs to be done in a mild manner too. This will not completely dry your pad, so you will have to let your pad air dry for the rest of the day. It might help to place your mouse pad near a fan to dry it quicker.

Can You Put Your Mouse Pad in the Washer or Dryer?

The answer for the washing machine is yes, depending on the type of pad you have. For those who may not have a lot of time to clean their mouse pad, using a washing machine can be helpful, but it is not recommended for all kinds of materials. Most cloth pads can withstand being placed in the washer. If your pad is made from such materials as polyester, nylon, foam, or rubber, then it can be used in the washer. If your pad is made from different materials or has a custom design printed on it, using a washer could damage the material and the print. All pads, however, should avoid being placed in the dryer. The heat will be harmful to the mouse pad.

Washing Machine-Safe Materials:

• rubber
• nylon
• polyester
• foam
• acrylic
• acetate
• microfiber
• polyurethane

Take the Proper Precautions

If you are using a washer, there are some precautions that need to be taken into consideration:

	Make sure your detergent is mild, not one designed for heavy duty washes.
	Set your washing machine to cold, as stated before, using warm water is damaging.
	Set your washer to a light cycle to ensure the safety of your pad.
	Do not use any bleach or other special cleaning products. The detergent will be enough.
	Do not use the dryer. Always air dry your mouse pad whether you are cleaning it by hand or not.

What is the best way to clean a mouse pad?

We strongly recommend washing your mousepad by hand. Doing so by hand is gentler and is less likely to damage your mouse pad. A washing machine is equipped for a smaller range of mouse pads, such as ones made from certain cloth-like materials and ones without custom printed designs.

How do you clean a cloth mousepad?

Cloth mouse pads can be cleaned by hand or in the washing machine. It is important, however, to always be gentle when cleaning your cloth pad. Use light shampoos and soaps for hand washing and mild detergents for machine washing. Cloth mousepads should always be cleaned with cold water rather than hot or warm water.

When should you clean your mouse pads?

You should wash your mousepad several times a year or whenever it gets particularly dirty. Washing your pad throughout the year will keep it from getting too germy over time, especially if you use it every day. If you spill something on the pad, then it should be cleaned right away to prevent stains.