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geekhack Community => Other Geeky Stuff => Topic started by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 05 June 2014, 14:31:44

Title: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 05 June 2014, 14:31:44
How often do you clean your mouse or mouse pad?

Any recommended procedures?
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 05 June 2014, 14:33:34
I wipe my mouse with isopropyl alcohol, wet naps, and/or a soap and water. Mouse pad gets hand washed in the tub/sink with a bit of laundry detergent and soap. Add water, soap, and detergent, roll the mouse pad up and scrub. Or you can use a cloth. I just air dry when I'm done. I've done this to all my mice with no issue. And I have the smaller Steelcase QCK+ mousepads.
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: sacratoy on Thu, 05 June 2014, 14:34:33
I have a Steelseries QCK Heavy that I wash with hot water and a light shampoo in my bathtub. Had the pad for about 2 years, still looks new.

I have no experience washing mice sadly.
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 05 June 2014, 14:35:28
If the mouse is really dirty, the cotton swabs/Q-Tips are nice too.
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: SSIPAK on Thu, 05 June 2014, 16:30:05
I use Lysol disinfecting wipes for my mouse. As for my mouse pad, i use liquid detergent + warm water and scrub my mousepad with a toothbrush.
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: exitfire401 on Thu, 05 June 2014, 16:33:24
My mouse either gets a disinfectant wipe or lens wipe once every couple of months. As for my mousepad, when it starts getting bad, I just throw it in the washing machine with a load of laundry and let it air dry.
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: neunelfer on Thu, 05 June 2014, 22:21:20
I just washed my Artisan Hien per their instructions and it looks brand new. Lay it flat in a pan, soak with warm water and scrub lightly with your fingertips and soap. They warned not to bend or roll it at all. Then I just dabbed it with a towel and laid it flat to dry.
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: davkol on Fri, 06 June 2014, 04:40:34
Just a wet washcloth to remove dust every now and then.
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: UnlikeAny on Fri, 06 June 2014, 08:39:20
How do you remove dirt from small gaps? I tried using toothpick, but in some parts it's just too big. I'm thinking about getting a needle and cutting/smoothing its pointy end. Don't want to scratch my mouse.

Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 06 June 2014, 08:42:19
Pocketknife if Q-Tips don't work.
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: Fire Brand on Fri, 06 June 2014, 09:36:36
I thought I had posted on this thread or one asking the same question, I basically just showered with the mat under myself, worked pretty well and ended up smelling quite nice if you ask me :p otherwise I just get a damp cloth to wipe it down with and leave it to dry flat outside for a day :)

As for mouse cleaning I usually just open the thing up since I end up messing with them so often and I have so many still boxed I don't use, once opened I just clean them with antibacterial wipes, and if the eye needs cleaning a quick spray of that alcohol based contact cleaner sorts them out as for the pads I just cut new ones out.
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: suby4me on Fri, 06 June 2014, 09:47:14
I usually wipe down my mouse and mat every day or every other day. I just have a microfiber cloth because I'm afraid to use any other material due to scratches. If it's really dirty, just a bit of water on the cloth and then I do a wipe down. For the narrow regions, I used to use a toothpick. The more narrow regions, I use the edge of a twist tie. Whatever works  :))
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: noisyturtle on Fri, 06 June 2014, 17:09:23
Like once a month I'll wipe down my mp w/ a wet cloth. Actually now that I think about it, since I got one of those Techkeys brushes I don't even think about it and brushing off my gear is like second nature  :)
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: Photoelectric on Fri, 06 June 2014, 17:12:27
I use "7th Generation Surface Cleaner" on like everything--it's non-toxic / ammonia free and is really great for streak-free glass cleaning.  I got it to clean glass habitats for my small pets and have since been using it for everything else for 3 years now: monitors, desk, keyboards, mouse, aluminum mousepad, etc.  It's super cheap too: around $3 on sale at most supermarkets.

I clean my mouse when it looks dirty--maybe every couple weeks I wipe it with a paper towel soaked in that cleaner.  Basically any time I can see or feel any dirt.  I also spray some on a paper towel and do some quick swipes on keyboard caps around once a week.
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: SSIPAK on Fri, 06 June 2014, 17:51:29
I use "7th Generation Surface Cleaner" on like everything--it's non-toxic / ammonia free and is really great for streak-free glass cleaning.  I got it to clean glass habitats for my small pets and have since been using it for everything else for 3 years now: monitors, desk, keyboards, mouse, aluminum mousepad, etc.  It's super cheap too: around $3 on sale at most supermarkets.

I clean my mouse when it looks dirty--maybe every couple weeks I wipe it with a paper towel soaked in that cleaner.  Basically any time I can see or feel any dirt.  I also spray some on a paper towel and do some quick swipes on keyboard caps around once a week.
so its safe to use on the monitors? I am just afraid to use glass cleaners on my monitor because i heard that it might strip the coating on it.
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: Photoelectric on Fri, 06 June 2014, 17:54:56
It's ammonia-free--I've not had any issues using it on plastics and my monitors (some have tempered glass over them, some don't).
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: SSIPAK on Fri, 06 June 2014, 17:56:48
It's ammonia-free--I've not had any issues using it on plastics and my monitors (some have tempered glass over them, some don't).
Ah okay, thanks for the info. I will have to try this later today.
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: Zeal on Fri, 06 June 2014, 18:41:05
I've never had to clean my mousepad...it's always looked as new as day 1. Am I doing something wrong?
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: noisyturtle on Fri, 06 June 2014, 19:13:08
I've never had to clean my mousepad...it's always looked as new as day 1. Am I doing something wrong?

Yeah, I'm with you here. I don't know what the rest of these animals are doing. Never really need more than a quick brush off.
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 06 June 2014, 19:35:14
I've never had to clean my mousepad...it's always looked as new as day 1. Am I doing something wrong?

My office building is really dusty inside.
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: tp4tissue on Fri, 06 June 2014, 19:37:40
Ah...  I actually did this a while back..

Basically  You want to just Wet the surface...   then use a handtowel.. and some mild soap.  and lightly  do small circles on the surface...

This prevents destroying the rubber back, and also prevents the glue from coming undone...
Title: Re: Mouse and Mouse Pad Cleaning
Post by: Prelim on Thu, 10 July 2014, 15:08:11
watch out with using alcohol to clean rubberized mices like the DA, I just damaged the cover once doing that!