Mousepads are a great way to help your mouse move more smoothly. Some of them even come with extra cushioning for support. Sometimes, however, they get dirty and need to be cleaned. This wikiHow will show you how.

Steps

  1. 1
    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.
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    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.
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    Rinse all the cleaner off the mousepad.
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    Pat the outside of the mousepad dry.
  5. 5
    Allow the mousepad to dry thoroughly. Let it dry all the way through the foam before returning it to your desk.
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Community Q&A

  • Question
    What if the mouse pad has a drawing on it? Should I worry about it at all?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    What should I do if the fabric mouse pad I cleaned now has a bump?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I clean a 3D anime mouse pad with shampoo, or will the color fade?
    Community Answer
    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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Warnings

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About This Article

Tested by:
wikiHow Video Team
wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. To create this article, 28 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. This article has been viewed 638,743 times.
18 votes - 73%
Co-authors: 28
Updated: January 31, 2023
Views: 638,743
Categories: Cleaning Electronics
Article SummaryX

To clean your mousepad, first fill a sink with soapy water and place the mousepad in it. Gently brush the top of the mousepad with a sponge, then rinse the mousepad off with water. Next, rub the mousepad with a dry cloth to remove the excess water. Finally, let the mousepad air dry for 24 hours before using it again. If the back of your mousepad says “machine washable,” you can wash it with your regular laundry instead. Just use cold water and air dry the mousepad when you’re done. For more household items you can use to clean your mousepad, read on!

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