You move and rub your hand across your mouse pad all day. Not only does that wear the pad out, but it coats it in dirt, dead skin cells, and germs. Mouse pads look innocuous enough, but they can be surprisingly gross. Learn how to get clean mouse pads with our easy steps.

Before You Clean

There are a couple of different kinds of mouse pad material. Determine what kind yours is before you clean it.

We also recommend testing cleaning methods on a small inconspicuous area of the mouse pad first. If your mouse pad is not colorfast, its colors will run once wet.

Plastic Mouse Pads

For plastic mouse pads, dish soap mixed with water is a great cleaner. Just dampen a cloth with the soap solution and wipe down the mouse pad. Dry with a clean cloth or paper towel.

Soft Mouse Pads

For soft mouse pads covered in fabric, shampoo is a mild cleaner that will work well. Dampen a cloth and apply a tiny bit of shampoo. Rub the mouse pad gently with the shampooed cloth until the entire surface is clean. Rinse the pad under running water until all the soap is removed and the water runs clear. Hang the mouse pad up to dry.

General Tips

• Do not use a mouse pad that is still wet. It will ruin both the mouse and the table it’s sitting on.
• If you still have a mouse with a mouse ball, clean that too. Take the ball out and use a cotton swab to dust the hollow area, or finally upgrade to a modern mouse!
• If your mouse pad is ripped or still looks bad after washing, you might just need to get a new one.

Clean Mouse Pads Make a Big Difference

A stained and worn mouse pad makes your whole work-area look shabby. It also harbors all those germs we talked about earlier! With a clean mouse pad, your desk looks nicer and is cleaner and healthier.

For more tips for tech-savvy people, see How to Clean a Computer and How to Clean Gadgets with Ease.