Clean A Mousepad

Mousepads are a great way to help your mouse move more smoothly. Some of them even come with extra cushioning for support. Sometimes, they get dirty and need to be cleaned. To quickly clean a fabric or plastic-covered mousepad, rub it with a moist rag and some shampoo. Use a clean rag and water to rinse off the shampoo, then let your mousepad dry completely.

How to clean a mousepad?

Check out what your mousepad is made of. Usually it will be a spongy foam, covered with either a finely knit fabric or a plastic top. Clean it according to the type of surface. If the surface is fabric, try rubbing gently with a moist washcloth or rag and a bit of shampoo. Shampoo is a mild cleaner that's gentle on most fabrics and on skin, plus you already have it. If your mousepad is plastic-covered, use any mild spray household cleaner and a cloth or sponge. Dish soap or shampoo will work just as well.

Rinse all the cleaner off the mousepad. Pat the outside of the mousepad dry. Allow the mousepad to dry thoroughly. Let it dry all the way through the foam before returning it to your desk.

Community Q&A

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

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.

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

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.