How to Clean a Mouse Pad – The best way to clean your mouse pad is with water and soap. This will get rid of any dirt or grime that builds up over time. Here’s how to clean a mouse pad:
- Fill a bowl or tub with cold water and soak the mouse pad. Use a gentle shampoo or hand soap and gently wipe the mouse pad.
- Scrub the mouse pad with a soft bristle brush or wire sponge. Be gentle!
- Rinse away the soap using cold water, making sure there are no suds on the front or back.
- Pat the mouse pad dry with a towel. Give it a day or two before you use it again to ensure it’s completely dry.
- Find a large bowl to fit the mouse pad. You can also use a bathtub if you want more space. Gently spray cold water on the surface, while using a sponge soaked with hand soap or a gentle shampoo to wipe away stains.
- Use a soft bristle brush to scrub any spots on the mouse pad that are particularly tough. Don’t scrub too hard or use a wire sponge as these could scratch up the fabric.
- Gently rinse away the soap from the mouse pad with cold water, making sure there are no suds left on the front or back.
- Use a towel to soak up the moisture. Once it’s less wet, hang the mouse pad to air dry or place it next to a fan. Give it at least the rest of the day to dry since you don’t want any wetness to damage your mouse or computer.
*Disclaimer: This process works for most mouse pads, but results may vary based on the material and quality. Quality Logo Products® is not liable for any damage caused by washing a mouse pad. Learn how to wash a mouse pad in this video!
Contents
What is the best way to clean a mousepad?
This guide is an approved mousepad cleaning method from our product team to keep your gear free of dirt and grime. If you’ve had any tracking issues when playing games, a dirty mousepad may be the culprit! In either case, cleaning your mousepad and peripherals on a regular basis is good practice.
- Mild dish soap
- Cleaning brush
- Towel
Steps:
- Submerge your mousepad in a bathtub or large basin of some sort (like your kitchen sink), preferably full of warm water (reminder: don’t do this with a wired/RGB mousepad ).
- Pour a small amount of mild dish soap onto the mousepad. Remember, a little goes a long way.
- Using the brush, scrub the entirety of the mousepad thoroughly to remove stains, oil, and debris.
- Rinse the mousepad thoroughly and make sure to get it as dry as possible before setting it to dry on a towel, cloth side down.
- After a couple of hours, the mousepad should be ready for gaming! Repeat as needed.
Enjoy your clean mousepad! Note: While we don’t recommend them, if you do choose to use sprays, wipes, or any other cleaning and disinfecting products on your equipment, please carefully read all labels to ensure safe and correct use for both your belongings and your own health.
Is it OK to wash a mousepad?
Frequently Asked Questions – 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.
How do you clean a padded mouse pad?
Follow These Steps: –
- Place the mousepad at the bottom of a clean sink or bathtub. Wet the mousepad with warm water, then apply a small amount of soap.
- Rub the soap onto the surface of the mousepad, using the sponge to scrub away any stains. If your mousepad has a design on the top, be careful not to scratch the surface and use a soft sponge.
- Flip the mousepad over and repeat on the back. Then rinse.
- Lay the towel down on the floor, then place the mousepad on top. Wrap the mousepad with the towel and gently apply pressure. The towel will soak up excess moisture, which will speed up drying time and prevent mold.
- Let dry in a well-ventilated area, but keep out of direct sun to avoid fading.
Does dirty mousepad affect?
How to Clean Your Mousepad in 6 Easy Steps – Your gaming gear puts up with a lot, from marathon sessions to the odd post-loss gamer flip-out (you always take it out on the ones you love), the least you can do is take care of it and give it a good clean once in a while.
It’s all too easy to ignore the pizza crumbs in your keyboard and the sticky fingerprints left on your mouse from an energy drink spillage during an all nighter. One part of your gaming setup that’s often overlooked is your mousepad, This unsung hero of gaming gear is surprisingly important to your setup.
Having a less than clean mousepad can really affect the precision of your mouse. Make a habit of cleaning your mousepad properly and regularly to avoid dirt build-up. Here’s the best way to clean your mousepad in 6 easy steps.1. Determine the Fabric of Your Mousepad The fabric of your mousepad will determine how deeply you need to clean it – maybe it’s a neoprene mousepad or perhaps rubberized. 2. Fill a Bowl With Hot Water and Soap Grab yourself a bowl or just use your kitchen sink, and fill it with hot water. Add a little hand soap and give it a swirl so it’s fully mixed in with the water. You could also substitute hand soap for dish soap – but hand soap is preferable since it’s softer and kinder to fabrics.3.
- Submerge the Mousepad Put your pad into the bowl or sink, and make sure to push it down so the water covers it and it’s fully submerged.
- Let it sit there in the water for a little while so any grease and dirt that’s been absorbed into the mousepad has time to dissolve.4.
- Give Your Mousepad a Gentle Rub Time to get your hands wet.
Once your mousepad has been soaking for a while, go ahead and give it a rub with your hands. Remember to remain gentle with it so as not to damage the surface fabric, especially if you have a soft and sensitive mousepad. Be extra careful too if you have a mousepad with an illustration or graphic on it, since rubbing it can damage the design. Rub gently, especially if your pad has a design like this QcK + PUBG Miramar Edition.,5. Rinse It Real Good When you’re happy that you’ve given the mousepad enough of a deep massage to get all of the dirt and stains out of the layers of fabric, rinse it under the hot water tap until all traces of soap are gone and the water runs fully clear.6.
Air Your Mousepad Out The best way to dry your mouse pad after it’s been washed is to just let it air dry inside or if possible hang it out in the sun. If you really are in a hurry to get back to gaming and don’t have time to let it air dry, you can use a hairdryer. But make sure to use the lowest heat setting and don’t get the hairdryer too close to your mousepad.
Blasting your mousepad with too much heat can really damage the surface, so proceed with caution. The QcK Prism mousepad can be flipped over so you can switch between premium hard polymer and micro-textured cloth. For any Prism RGB mousepads, do not submerge in water. Instead, clean the surface only.7. Keeping Your Mousepad Squeaky Clean Is Easy With SteelSeries Follow these 6 simple steps for cleaning your mousepad, so you can be sure nothing is standing in your way of winning – not even a dirty mousepad.
Should I clean my mousepad with hot or cold water?
Steps To Follow –
- Toss your mousepad in the washing machine with a dash of soap or mild detergent.
- Add a dash of soap or mild detergent.
- Set the washer to cold, low tumble. Never use hot water as the heat may damage the rubber backing.
- Change the program to a gentle cycle.
- Don’t use any bleach.
- Air dry the mousepad once done. Wait at least 24 to 36 hours until the next use for optimal results.
The results may vary based on the material and quality of the mouse pads. If you’re not sure whether it’s safe for a washing machine, get in touch with the manufacturer to confirm. A mouse pad printed with a custom design might get ruined in a washing machine, so it’s best to wash it using one of the hand washing methods mentioned above.
Why does my mouse pad turn white when I scratch it?
How to Clean a Mousepad or Desk Mat – Mousepads are notorious for getting dirty and collecting stains, dust, and germs. Placing a hot cup of coffee or cold drink on a mousepad will also discolor them due to drips and condensation soaking into the fabric.
If you notice that your mouse is not tracking as accurately as it did in the past, believe it or not, your mousepad or desk mat might be to blame. Even if your mousepad looks clean, if you lightly scratch it with your fingernail and see the color change to a lighter color, that means that there is actually dust and dirt built up on it.
This is why periodically cleaning a mousepad is a great habit to get into, not only for looks but also to increase the life of your mousepad and decrease the chance that germs will spread from the mousepad to your hand. 
The best way to clean any non-RGB mousepad is by hand because it’s made of rubber, fabric, and fibers that will deteriorate if other methods are used such as putting it in a washer machine or dishwasher. Cleaning a mousepad by hand is by far the most gentle option and is highly recommended. To Clean a Mousepad or Desk Mat:
- Put the mousepad or desk mat in a bowl, bathtub, or sink so it can lay flat.
- Submerge the mousepad or desk mat in warm water and pour a small amount of dish soap or laundry detergent in the water (if you’re concerned with germs and viruses be cautious of using antibacterial soap because some will stain or bleach).
- Let it soak for a minute and use a soft cleaning brush to scrub the entire surface with additional soap as needed.
- Rinse the mousepad or desk mat thoroughly in warm water until there is no soap visible on the surface, and so that soap bubbles do not appear from it during rinsing.
- Let the mousepad drip fully, and then blot it with a towel before hanging it over a close hanger or from a clothesline to dry thoroughly.
It’s important to make sure it dries completely before laying it back down on your desk because if any moisture is still trapped inside the mousepad or desk mat it could ruin your desk or could begin to form mold. If you can hang it in the warm sun, by a fan, or by a window it will speed up the drying process and ensure your mousepad is 100% dry and ready to use again.
Why does my mousepad get so dirty?
Most modern gaming mouse pads are pretty fast out of the box. However, as you enjoy your favorite games, you may find that your mouse pad starts to feel slow after a while. This isn’t something that happens in a few days, and isn’t necessarily a sign to replace your mouse pad either. Wonder why your mouse pad is getting slower? Want to bring it back to day 1 performance? Why Your Mouse Pad Starts to Feel Slow & How to Fix It Cause #1 – Dirt or Dust Causes a Sluggish Mouse Pad As you may know, your hands are some of the best weapons for your gaming adventures.
- However, they’re also one of the dirtiest parts of your body.
- Whatever your hand picks up throughout your day, will end up on your mouse pad.
- This can cause the friction to increase on the pad, as those tiny particles can cause some serious performance issues.
- Dead skin cells and other debris will easily collect within the fibers of the mouse pad, and cause more friction and make your cloth pad feel muddy.
Dust and dead skin cells and even dirt will accumulate very fast in small rooms, and can easily end up on your mouse pad as well. A good reason why your mouse pad starts to become slow over time, is because dust and dirt will accumulate over time. How to Fix and Prevent Dirt or Dust From Making Your Mouse Pad Slow: A good way to prevent dust from accumulating in your environment is to ensure your room has enough airflow, and even an air filter can help as well.
If your hands are the culprit, be sure to wash them before gaming. Cause #2 – Sweaty Hands Cause a Slow Mouse Pad One of the largest causes of a slow mouse pad is the fact that people’s hands naturally create oils, and a hot summer (or even an epic gaming session) can intensify this with sweat. Sweat not only will cause your pad to become damp, it will also cause your mouse pad to become sticky, and will even create a “great” environment for dust to get caught up in.
This is why mouse pads can get discolored after a while too. How to Fix and Prevent Sweaty Hands From Making Your Mouse Pad Slow: This is quite easy, but can be a bit of a chore if this has already happened. To prevent this, it’s a great idea to always wash your hands to remove any excess oil before gaming. Why Your Mouse Pad Feels Slow & How to Fix It! 1 Cause #3 – Humidity & Spills Let’s all be honest here We’ve all accidentally spilled something on our mouse pads or desk area before. It’s not something to be proud of, but it’s definitely not something to be ashamed of.
Worst of all, a humid environment will just cause this to get worse and worse. Humidity can be a real threat to mouse pad performance, and if you’ve accidentally spilled something on your mouse pad, or even condensation from a bottle has leaked onto it, that moisture won’t be drying up anytime soon. How to Fix and Prevent Humidity or Spills from Damaging Your Mousepad: First, we would recommend starting with what is easy to manage.
Move drinks and food away from your mouse pad. Next, if your environment is humid, try using a dehumidifier or your air conditioner to remove the excess moisture from your room. Cause #4: Poor Quality / Worn Mouse Skates One part of a gaming mouse that is often overlooked is that mouse skates (also known as mouse feet) are a consumable item in most cases.
- Over the lifetime of the product, it’s normal for the skates (the little soft pads on the bottom) to become worn out, scratched, and even damaged.
- This is due to how PTFE (the material mouse skates are made from) is incredibly soft.
- Not to mention, that some brands of gaming mice may not use pure PTFE, which will result in the mouse skates being slow and of low performance.
How to Fix Low Quality or Worn Out Mouse Skates: Luckily, this is quite easy to do. Most gaming mice sold on the market today will have either aftermarket or first-party skates available. Simply look for replacement mouse skates for your mouse. If none exist, then you can always contact the manufacturer or use PTFE dots as a solution.
Can you wash a mousepad with soap?
Mix warm water and a drop or two of mild dish soap, such as Dawn, in a small bowl or cup. Dip a small brush like a toothbrush or mini cleaning brush in the cleaning solution, then use the brush to scrub the mouse pad. This should remove stains, oils, and germs. Rinse the mouse pad well to remove excess soap.
Can I use alcohol wipes to clean my mouse pad?
It is suggested to use baby wipe (non-alcohol) or wet towel to clean your mouse surface ; please do not use shampoo or alcohol or otherwise you may damage the surface coating; and also, when you clean by wet cloth, please avoid water going inside the mouse, or it will damage the circuit inside the mouse.
How do you clean a gaming mouse?
Clean your keyboard –
- Hold the keyboard upside down and tap it gently to remove loose dirt and other debris.
- Use a can of compressed air (available from photo and computer stores) to blow dust and debris from the surface and from between the keys. As an alternative, gently vacuum the top of your keyboard using a dusting brush.
- Lightly dampen a lint-free cloth or cotton swab with mild soap and water and gently wipe the surface of the keyboard and keys, being careful not to drip any water into the keyboard.
Can I use toothbrush to clean mousepad?
4. Check for Stains and Debris – Once you’ve removed the surface dirt, check for any stains or other debris that are stubbornly clinging to your mousepad. Using a toothbrush or any soft brush can loosen dirt or debris. Note: Some fabric or cloth mousepads tend to absorb stains faster and more easily than hard surface options (like plastic mousepads).
Does a dirty mousepad affect gameplay?
How Does A Dirty Mouse Pad Affect Gaming Performance? – In addition to reducing performance, a dirty mousepad can cause the pointer to behave erratically, such as skipping or jumping. You must always keep your mouse pad clean if you want to have a trouble-free and enjoyable gaming experience.
- There is no assurance that your mouse will track properly if the mousepad is soiled in any manner.
- Regular cleaning of mouse pads is recommended.
- If you want to keep your mouse and mouse pad in good condition, avoid exposing them to any liquids (other than water) or oil-based chemicals.
- Your gaming experience will suffer if your mousepad is covered with grime and grease.
Your mouse’s precision will decrease as filth accumulates on the pad. Because of this, you won’t be able to make exact moves. Tracing will get increasingly difficult as this dirt builds up on your mouse sensor over time. Put simply, get rid of all the dust bunnies! Sensor malfunction due to dirt and grime is a major cause of inaccurate results.
- If your mouse pad is dirty, the sensor may be obstructed by debris like crumbs or oil, preventing the mouse from picking up on your movements.
- Cleaning the sensor before each game is essential to getting the most out of it.
- You should clean your mouse pad as often as you can (at least once a week) for optimal performance.
A cotton mouse pad is easy to maintain because it can be washed in the washing machine. Try rubbing alcohol on a hard mouse pad. Then, wipe it down with a cloth dipped in hot water. The final step is to wait for it to dry.
Are colored mousepads bad?
Conclusion – The only effect that the color/design/print of a mouse pad has is that it can be aesthetically pleasing for your setup. There are no real performance issues unless you use a very low-quality mouse pad with poor color/print techniques. If color/design/print affected performance in any way, the top gaming mouse pad manufacturers would not make such mouse pads for pro gamers or other professionals.
Can a dirty mousepad cause stuttering?
A dirty or dusty sensor on your gaming mouse could be the culprit. Dust, debris, mousepad fibers and other things can obstruct your sensor’s ability to function properly. Another cause of stuttering or skipping can be the LOD (Lift-Off Distance) of the gaming mouse.
Should I air dry my mousepad?
Can You Put a Mouse Pad in the Washing Machine? – If you’re pressed for time, you can clean a mouse pad in the washing machine. Mouse pads made from these materials are machine washable:
- Polyester
- Nylon
- Acrylic
- Acetate
- Microfiber
- Foam
- Polyurethane
- Rubber
Place the mouse pad in a laundry bag, Set the washer to a light cycle. Use cold water and a mild detergent. Don’t use any bleach. Let the mouse pad air dry. You should never use warm water or throw your mouse pad in the dryer. The heat will cause damage! If you’re at all unsure about whether or not your mouse pad is safe for the washing machine, contact the manufacturer directly.
Do you need a mouse pad?
Why Do You Need a Mouse Pad? – Many have this question, ‘Do I need a mouse pad?’ Well, the short answer is yes — especially if you want to swiftly work on your computer and reduce the tedious lag time. A mousepad lets your mouse move smoothly. Without a mousepad, your mouse will pick up dirt and debris from your desk and track it across your screen.
Can I use alcohol wipes to clean my mouse pad?
It is suggested to use baby wipe (non-alcohol) or wet towel to clean your mouse surface ; please do not use shampoo or alcohol or otherwise you may damage the surface coating; and also, when you clean by wet cloth, please avoid water going inside the mouse, or it will damage the circuit inside the mouse.
What soap can I use to clean my mousepad?
Mix warm water and a drop or two of mild dish soap, such as Dawn, in a small bowl or cup. Dip a small brush like a toothbrush or mini cleaning brush in the cleaning solution, then use the brush to scrub the mouse pad. This should remove stains, oils, and germs. Rinse the mouse pad well to remove excess soap.
Can you use alcohol wipes on mousepad?
Steps – If your hard pad has usb ports, such as a Razer, RGB or QCK mousepad, unplug before cleaning.
- Dip a corner of the microfiber cloth in warm water or rubbing alcohol and wring it out.
- Alternatively, spray screen cleaner on the microfiber cloth.
- Wipe the mousepad’s surface until it’s clean.
- Use the dry part of the cloth to wipe away any residual moisture.