How to Clean a Mousepad: Fabric, RGB, & Plastic

Whether you’re working or gaming, your mousepad can accumulate body oils, dirt, and bacteria over time that affect your mouse’s performance. Luckily, all it takes is a weekly clean of warm water and dish soap to get most mousepads sparkling and to keep your mouse working in peak condition. Read on to learn how to clean fabric, RGB (or lighted), plastic, and leather mousepads, as well as how often to clean them!

Things You Should Know

To clean fabric and lighted RGB mousepads, mix warm water and dish soap in a bowl. Wet a soft brush or sponge in the solution and gently scrub the pad in circles.
Then, rinse the pad with a damp cloth or under running water. Pat the pad dry with a towel and let it air dry overnight.
To clean plastic mousepads, wipe the pad with rubbing alcohol, water and dish soap, or a disinfecting wipe. Rinse the pad with water and let it air dry.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Cleaning Fabric and RGB Mousepads

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1
Shake the mousepad over a trash can to remove loose dirt. Or, go over the surface of the mousepad with a dry cloth or lint roller to wipe off any dust and debris. ^{[1]
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- Alternatively, use a handheld vacuum to clean off any loose dirt and debris.
2
Mix dish soap and water and scrub the pad with a soft brush or sponge. Fill a bowl with warm water and several drops of dish soap. Then, dip a toothbrush, the soft side of a sponge, or a microfiber cloth in the solution. Just gently work the brush or sponge into the mousepad using soft, circular motions. ^{[2]
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- For RGB mousepads that are light-up or electronic, unplug the mousepad from your computer and move it away from other electronics. ^{[3]
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- For photo-printed mousepads , be extra gentle when scrubbing, as harsh movements can damage the photo.
- For fabric mousepads that are very dirty, submerge the pad in the dish soap and water solution and then gently scrub it.
- Only use mild cleaners like dish soap, hand soap, and laundry detergent to clean your mousepad. Harsh cleaners like bleach can damage the fabric.
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If you have an RGB mousepad, dampen a clean microfiber cloth with cool water and wipe down the pad to remove any soap residue. ^{[4]
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Research source} For regular fabric mousepads, hold the mousepad under cool, running water. ^{[5]
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4
Pat the mousepad with a cloth and let it air dry overnight. Place the mousepad on a dry towel and put it in a well-ventilated area. Then, pat it with a clean cloth to remove excess moisture. Simply leave the mousepad on the towel to completely dry overnight. ^{[6]
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- Turn on a ceiling fan or place the mousepad next to a desk fan to help speed up the drying process.
- Do not leave your mousepad to dry in the sun, as this can cause the fabric to fade.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Cleaning Hard or Plastic Mousepads

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1
Scrub the mousepad with rubbing alcohol or dish soap and water. Spray the mousepad with rubbing alcohol and scrub it with a clean microfiber cloth . ^{[7]
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Research source} Or, dampen a cloth with warm water, squeeze a drop of dish soap on the mousepad, and scrub the pad. ^{[8]
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- Hard, plastic, and rubber mousepads are less prone to damage than fabric mousepads, so feel free to apply pressure on dirty or stained areas.
- For leather mousepads , spray a microfiber cloth with leather cleaner. Then, gently wipe the pad with the cloth. ^{[9]
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Wipe the mousepad with a disinfecting wipe for a quicker option. If you have disinfectant wipes on hand, simply grab one and wipe down the mousepad. This gets rid of loose dirt and dust as well as germs and bacteria.
3
Rinse the mousepad with water and dry it with a towel. To remove any cleaning residue, hold the mousepad under cool running water. Then, use a clean, microfiber towel to dry off the moisture. ^{[10]
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- If you have a leather mousepad, do not rinse it with water.
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Place the mousepad on a dry towel and put it in a well-ventilated area. After several hours, touch it to ensure it’s dry and ready to use. ^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

How Often to Clean Your Mousepad

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1
Clean your mousepad once per week. With regular use, mousepads accumulate lots of body oils, dirt, dust, and bacteria. So, keep your work or gaming space clean and ensure your mouse stays working in tip-top shape by cleaning your mousepad weekly. ^{[12]
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- Dirty mousepads can affect your mouse’s response time, causing slower clicks and cursor movements.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

How to Clean Your Mouse

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1
Clean your computer mouse once per week. Using a dirty mouse can make your mousepad even dirtier. Simply dampen a microfiber cloth with rubbing alcohol and wipe the top, sides, and bottom of the mouse. Then, use a toothpick or compressed air to remove dirt between the scroll wheel and any other crevices. ^{[13]
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- Note : Unplug your mouse from your computer and remove its batteries before cleaning.
- If your mouse has a trackball, remove it and wipe it with a clean cloth. Then, wipe the trackball compartment with the cloth, too.

Community Q&A

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Question

What if the mouse pad has a drawing on it? Should I worry about it at all?

Community Answer

It shouldn't be a problem on plastic mousepads, because the plastic is covering the drawing. However, if it is a spongy foam fabric, you may want to be gentler when cleaning.

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Question

What should I do if the fabric mouse pad I cleaned now has a bump?

Community Answer

Try cleaning it again with hot water and soap, and then hang it to dry. That should stop bumps from forming as well as get rid of any existing bumps.

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Question

Can I clean a 3D anime mouse pad with shampoo, or will the color fade?

Community Answer

Shampoo will likely make the colors fade, so you should try warm water first and see if that helps clean it up.

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Tips

An easy way to prevent your mousepad from getting dirty is to eat and drink away from your desk. If you do snack around your mousepad, make sure to wipe up any spills or messes as soon as they happen. ^{[14]
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Most mousepad manufacturers advise against washing your mousepad in your washing machine. However, some mousepads are labeled as machine washable and some fabrics hold up better in the washer (e.g., polyester, nylon, and rubber). Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions to prevent damage, which is typically to wash on a cold water and low tumble cycle. ^{[15]
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While you wait for your mousepad to dry, clean your computer mouse.

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

Do not dry your mousepad in the sun, especially if it's made out of cloth or fabric. Drying in direct sunlight can cause the colors to fade and damage the material.
Avoid folding or bending your mousepad during or after cleaning it, as this can cause permanent creases or damage.
Do not use harsh cleaning agents to clean your mousepad, as these agents can damage the surface of your mousepad.
Ensure your mousepad is completely dry before using it again to prevent slippage or damage to your desk surface.

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Warnings

Do not submerge RGB mousepads in water, as the water can damage the electrical parts.

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Make sure your mousepad is completely dry before using it, especially if you’re placing it on a wooden surface.

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Do not put your computer mouse back on a wet mousepad, as this can damage the mouse. Wait for the mousepad to dry thoroughly first.

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Wet a small corner of your mousepad to ensure it is not colorfast before cleaning the entire pad.

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How to Clean a Mousepad: Fabric, RGB, & Plastic

Things You Should Know

Steps

Cleaning Fabric and RGB Mousepads

Cleaning Hard or Plastic Mousepads

How Often to Clean Your Mousepad

How to Clean Your Mouse

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Tips from our Readers

Warnings

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