How to Clean a Mousepad in 4 Simple Steps

Essentially a mouse pad is a necessity for anyone who is working or gaming on a computer for periods of time. From office mousepads to mousepads for gaming and custom mousepads, they are considered a high touch surface, and it is due to this frequent use that makes them a magnet for mess. Mousepads have a tendency to build up with substances such as bodily fluids, dirt, grease and grime, in addition to bacteria.

Discover how to clean a mousepad properly and without fuss. Mousepads should be thought about in the same way as other office cleaning duties, such as office cubicle walls, office chairs and keyboards. They are an office item not only in contact with you, but also everything you rest on or beside it, such as your coffee mug or desk lunch. Fortunately, knowing how to clean a mousepad is a simple and straight forward process, achieved in as little as 4 simple steps.

Common Types of Mousepads

While the intended purpose for a mousepad remains the same regardless on the setting in which it is being use, it is not a one size fits all as mousepads not only come in all different shapes and sizes, but they also come made of different materials, such as: cloth, hard plastic/metal and photo printed.

• Cloth is considered to be the most popular choice in the market, due to their versatility and cost. Cloth mousepads are often what we see in our commercial cleaning endeavours and are an excellent choice for both offices and residential settings.
• By far the most durable, but can come at a premium price, are mousepads made of hard plastic and/or metal. The cleaning technique for these can be quite vast as unlike other material types, they are much easier to clean and come with a reduced risk of damage.
• When it comes to the finer things in life, there is another material that captures the attention of people in the mousepad market, and that is those mousepads made from leather, or ones with printed photographs.

How Often to Clean your Mousepad

The frequency you clean your mousepad can depend greatly on how often you use it. As a general rule, for the best results and most hygienic approach, we recommend giving your mousepad a clean on a weekly basis.

The Best Cleaning Products for Mousepads

When it comes to cleaning a mousepad, you should first consider what type of mousepad you have (Cloth, Hard Plastic/Metal, leather), as the type you have will determine the cleaning products required to complete the task. Using gentle cleaning products, such as water and washing detergent, is by far the most appropriate and safest choice for cloth and plastic mousepads, whereas for leather mousepads we would only suggest using a leather cleaner and being extra careful with the use of water on it.

As we step you through our cleaning guides for each mousepad type, ensure you have adequate household supplies to complete the task as listed below:

• Dishwashing Soap
• Leather Cleaner
• Paper Towls
• Warm Water
• Microfibre Cloth
• Soft Bristle Brush

A Step-By-Step Guide to Cleaning a Mousepad

Regardless of the type of mousepad you are attempting to clean, remove it from the desk (away from electronic devices such as chargers, computers, keyboards, etc). The mousepad should be cleaned in a sink where excess water or detergents can be safely contained.

Cloth Mousepads

To clean these types of mousepads, you’ll need to mix a bottle of water with detergent, 1 part detergent/10 parts water.

1. Spray a fine mist over the entire mousepad and let it sit for approximately 10 minutes
2. Gently rub your microfibre cloth across the surface, or use a toothbrush in a circular motion for stubborn stains
3. Rinse the mousepad with warm water until all detergent has been removed
4. Let dry on a dish rack before placing your mouse back on

Photo Printed (picture) Mousepads

1. Spray the mousepad with detergent and water and allow to sit for approximately 10 minutes
2. Gently rub your microfibre cloth across the surface, but avoid using bristle brushes so as to not damage the picture on top
3. Rinse the mousepad with warm water until all detergent has been removed
4. Let dry on a dish rack before placing your mouse back on

• Should stains remain on your photo printed mousepad, repeat step 2 rather than using abrasive brushes.

Plastic or Hard Mousepads

1. Remove any rubbish from on top of the mousepad by shaking it over a bin
2. Spray the mousepad with the mixed dishwashing soap and allow to sit for 5 minutes
3. Using paper towel, scrub the surface in a circular motion until detergent begins to soap up
4. Rinse the mousepad with warm water and allow to dry in a dish rack

Leather Mousepads

Ensure you take extra care when cleaning leather mousepads as detergents and water may not take too well to the material.

1. Clear debris or rubbish from the surface by shaking the mousepad above a bin
2. Use a leather cleaner and microfibre cloth to wipe down the surface (read manufacturer’s application instructions on bottle)
3. Follow guidelines for drying timelines as listed in manufacturer’s guide
4. Ensure leather is dry before placing mouse back on mousepad

How to Avoid Damaging Your Mousepad When Cleaning

Less is more! We use the less is more approach when adding chemicals to any surface, whether we are in childcare centres, industrial warehouses or even strata cleaning. Start the process with this in mind and add additional chemicals as needed, if required. It is much easier to add chemicals to a surface than have too much and need to reduce it quickly, or risk damaging the area or item you are attempting to clean.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Put a Mousepad in a Washing Maching?

Yes! But it depends on the type of mousepad you are planning to clean. Leather mousepads or electronic powered gaming mousepads are not suitable for a washing machine. While soft or fabric mousepads may also not be entirely suitable, we would suggest consulting the manufacturer regarding machine washing their materials.

Can You Use a Sponge to Clean a Mousepad?

Yes! Again, this depends on the type of mousepad you wish to clean. Replacing a microfibre cloth with a sponge is completely fine, however, we would advise using an extremely soft sponge, rather than one that is quite firm to touch.