Having a clean and tidy gaming environment can really help boost in-game performance. There will be no crumbies clogging up mechanics or clutter fogging your brain. We’ve covered a few aspects of how to clean your gaming set-up, and today we’re focusing on mouse mats.
Whether you prefer soft or hard mousepads, RGB or no RGB; we have the top tips for you. So, snap on some marigolds and get scrubbing!
Why Do I Need to Clean My Mouse Mat?
First of all, why do we need to regularly clean our mouse mats? Our gaming environments see a lot of activity. Whether they double up as working from home space or occupy a lot of your free time, it’s safe to assume a good portion of your week is spent at a desk. Over time, dust and dirt is going to build up. It may be more obvious when you have crumbs in your keyboard, but your mousepad takes a hammering too.
What’s more, these little pieces of dirt and grime can be picked up by your gaming mouse. The optical sensor is situated on the mouse’s underside, and it is primed to suck up crumbs, dust, and pet hairs. (That’s what I have to pick out of my mouse on the regular!) These bits of gunk are going to affect your mouse’s performance, as it’ll be tracking the glob stuck on its sensor rather than the mouse mat below. Not a good look when you’re in the height of battle.
TLDR; keep your gaming surface clean to make your mouse perform better.
How Do I Clean My Mouse Mat?
How you clean your mousepad depends on what surface material it has and if there are any integrated electricals. What may work for one, may not work for another. It should be noted that certain brands detail care instructions on their product page. For example, the Glorious G Pro Gaming Surface Series states it is machine washable, on a cold setting, and should be left to air dry. Therefore, you can always check with the manufacturer on how best to clean your mouse mat. What will follow here are generic tips and methods you can use.
Cleaning a Cloth Mousepad
To clean your cloth mouse mat, you will need mild detergent (dish soap is great for this), a cleaning brush, a couple of towels (or just one big one!), and a basin or bowl. Here’s what you need to do.
- Fill your basin, bowl, or sink with warm water. Don’t overfill it, otherwise water will go splashing everywhere.
- Dunk your mouse mat in the water. Important! Do not do this with RGB or wireless charging mats! I repeat, this is a no-no for mouse mats with any sort of electricals.
- Pour a small blob of your mild detergent onto the mouse mat. You don’t need much, even on a 3XL Mega Mat.
- With brush in hand, thoroughly scrub the surface of your mousepad. This will help to remove stains, debris, and oils.
- Once clean, give the mouse mat a good rinse to wash away any final bits of dirt.
- Squeeze as much excess moisture out of the fabric as possible. We don’t recommend wringing the mat, in case that compromises how flat the mouse lies. Patting away excess moisture with a towel will work great.
- Dry face down on a second towel, or a dry section of the first towel, and leave.
- After a few hours, your mouse mat will be dry, clean, and ready to take on that next boss battle!
Another cleaning trick to consider is spot cleaning. A damp microfibre cloth is your friend when coffee spills or food escapes from your plate. If you need to introduce soap, make sure it is a mild detergent – no solvents or bleach. This could damage your mouse mat.
Cleaning a Hard Mousepad
Hard mouse mats are usually made from plastics or rubber, which make them relatively easy to deep clean. The only thing you really have to worry about is not compromising the adhesive backing, should your gaming surface have one. Otherwise, just follow these simple steps, which are the instructions Glorious give for cleaning their Element Ice Gaming Surface. You will need a couple microfibre cloths, dish soap, and a dry towel.
- Dampen your first microfibre cloth and add a small blob of dish soap. Again, a little goes a long way.
- Lie your mouse mat flat on a surface. If you have a self-adhesive mat, clear an area around it to protect your peripherals and give yourself space to work.
- Gently rub the surface to remove dirt, stains, and oil.
- Dampen the second cloth without soap this time. This cloth will be used to wipe away any residual dirt and soap marks.
- Once clean, pat dry with the towel to remove excess liquid and moisture.
- Leave the mouse mat to air dry, out of direct sunlight.
Spot cleaning will also work with your hard mouse mat, and we recommend using the same process as for the cloth mats.
What If My Gaming Surface has RGB Lighting?
Now, if your mouse mat has integrated RGB lighting or comes equipped with wireless the charging, you definitely should not submerge it in water. Yes, that is the third time I’ve said it, but I will keep saying it until I’m sure it’s gone in. (Ok, so it might just be one more time.) So, what do you do instead?
First of all, make sure it is unplugged. Water and electricity are not friends. To that extent, you are going to want to be super careful around any electronics on the mouse mat, be that RGB lighting, USB passthrough ports, or charging areas.
To deep clean a gaming surface, you will need mild dish soap, warm water in a bowl or basin, and a microfibre cloth. There may be potential need for an extra dry towel.
- Unplug your mouse mat – important, so it bears repeating.
- Soak your microfibre cloth in the warm, soapy water and then wring it out as much as possible. This will reduce the risk of stray drops hitting any electricals.
- Thoroughly wipe the mousepad surface with the damp microfibre cloth to remove dirt, stains, and oils. Be careful of electrical parts.
- Repeat step three as necessary, until the mouse pad is clean and there is no soapy residue left on the surface.
- If necessary, dab away any excess moisture with a dry towel.
- Leave to dry on a flat surface, right side up.
- After a few hours, it will be dry enough to use.
When it comes to spot cleaning spills and such, employ the same method as you would with regular mouse mats. Just make sure you are careful of the electrical components, and it won’t hurt to unplug it either.
Is Your Mouse Mat Beyond Hope?
Have the edges frayed? Is the dirt and grime just too ground on? Well, in that case we recommend investing in a new gaming surface. We have an extensive collection to explore, from XXL mouse mats to those with integrated RGB lighting or wireless charging. Whatever your preference, you can start fresh and use these top tips to keep your new mousepad in good nick!
Cleaning Hacks
Do you have any good cleaning hacks when it comes to your mouse mat? Share them in the comments below and we’ll be sure to add them to the list!
What’s more, be sure to check out our ultimate spring cleaning hub for plenty of cleaning hacks to ensure your gaming set up sparkles.
TLDR; 5 Easy Steps to Clean Your PC Set Up
- 7 min read
Emily Haylock
Author
Emily is a board and cosy gamer, keyboard obsessive, and content copywriter for Overclockers UK. She has been with Overclockers UK since 2020, writing about everything from noblechairs to 8Pack PCs. She writes from within her desk nest with a foster pup at her feet. (What, a desk duvet is a totally normal thing!) In her downtime, she likes to play board games, farming sims, and old-school Final Fantasy. IX to be specific. It is the best, and that is a hill she will die on.
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