How to clean a mouse and sanitize

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Updated: 02/20/2023

Computer mice are one of the most frequently used accessories for computer systems, and they can get dirty over time, which means they need to be cleaned.

While wiping your mouse with a dry cloth may seem like a good idea, it’s not enough to get rid of all the dirt and stains that accumulate over time. That’s why you need to know how to deep clean your mouse properly and carefully.

White mice, in particular, are prone to discoloration over time, and even with regular cleaning, they can develop a yellow tint that’s hard to remove. However, there are ways to clean these yellowish stains, and we’ll cover them in this post.

Why keeping the mouse clean is essential for personal hygiene?
Recently an article was published in Daily Mail Online. The post revealed that a dirty mouse could produce 11 times more colony-forming units than a toilet seat. The samples were collected and tested by a cleaning brand supplier. Now you know how important it is to keep your mouse clean. Overlooking mouse cleanliness could cause health issues.

If you start to notice dirty spots or a sticky feel on your mouse, it’s essential to give it a thorough cleaning immediately. Just wiping it with a cloth won’t cut it. This is especially true for gaming mice, as keeping it clean not only prolongs its lifespan but also keeps you away from harmful germs.

To clean your gaming mouse, follow the steps below. You can use these steps for both wired or wireless mice, whether it has an optical or laser sensor. It doesn’t matter what brand your mouse is, whether it’s Logitech, Corsair, or Razer.

This mouse cleaning process is easy to follow.

First, gather the thing you need to clean a mouse

1) Cloth

To clean your mouse, you’ll need a piece of cloth. I recommend using a soft, lint-free wipe or a clean, dry cloth. A microfiber cloth is great for picking up dust.

For more thorough cleaning, a damp paper towel will do the trick. If you want to disinfect your mouse, use alcohol wipes or 70% isopropyl alcohol.

Warning: But be careful not to use isopropyl alcohol above 70% as it can damage some types of plastic. And since the body of the mouse is usually made of plastic, it’s best to stick to the 70% level.

2) Cotton Swabs

A cotton swab can remove hard gunk dipped with cleaning liquid.

3) Toothpick

Use a toothpick with a sharp, pointy end to reach the portions of the mouse that are difficult to reach.

4) Brush

Any soft brush can be used to remove dust particles while cleaning the mouse. You can use a soft toothbrush or paintbrush to rub off the small particles.

5) Dry Rags

Use dry rags or clear any removed gunk particles to dry the mouse body.

6) Compressed Air

Compressed air can expel small dust particles from areas that are impossible to reach by hand.

7) Tweezers (Optional)

There could be some areas that are difficult to reach. You can use tweezers to pluck or grasp those particles.

Step-by-step guide on how to clean a mouse

Step 1: Disconnect any power supply from the mouse

Unplug the mouse wire from the computer or laptop. If your mouse is wireless, turn off the mouse’s power button.

I strongly recommend removing the mouse batteries if they can be removed.

Step 2: Cleaning dirt from mouse surface

First, wipe off any dust that can be cleaned with a dry cloth.

Take a soft or lint-free cloth and dip it into water or use any cleaning solution like dishwasher liquid.

Warning:

Be careful not to make the cloth too wet. You don’t want water or cleaning solution to drip out while you’re cleaning the mouse’s body.

Gently rub the computer mouse with the damp cloth to remove dirt and grease.

If you’re cleaning a wireless mouse with replaceable batteries, don’t forget to clean the battery compartment. Cleaning wipes are a good option because they’re less likely to drip liquid.

Step 3: Removing hard gunk off the mouse

Sometimes, gunk and dirt can build up in different parts of your mouse like around the feet, buttons, scroll wheel, or crevices.

Cleaning mouse feet

To clean the feet, use a damp cotton swab to rub off any gunk. Then use a cleaning wipe to clean the mouse skates.

Cleaning under mouse buttons

The buttons under the mouse can also get dirty. You can use a cotton swab to remove the grime, and if you need to, a toothpick to reach those tricky spots.

A can of compressed air can help blow away any dust or particles.

Cleaning main mouse buttons

Cleaning the mouse buttons is a bit harder. Ideally, you should open the mouse to clean it, but if you don’t want to do that, you can try using a toothpick to get any food or hair out of the cracks.

Be careful though, as you don’t want to break the button or push too hard.

You can also use tweezers to pick out any bits that are stuck.

Finally, blowing canned air into the cracks of the mouse can help get rid of any leftover dust or particles.

Step 4: Cleaning the mouse wheel

Check out the mouse wheel for any dirt or grime, and if you find any, use a soft damp cloth to clean it off slowly.

Sometimes, there may be patterns or grip linings on the wheel or it may have a gear-like shape. In this case, you may find dirt in the curves of the scroll wheel.

To prevent dirt from falling inside the mouse, tilt it to one side. You can use a toothpick to get rid of any dirt or built-up dust, and a brush to clean the mouse wheel.

Now turn the mouse upside down. Spin the mouse wheel to force out any particles that may have dropped during the wheel cleaning process.

Keep the mouse upside down and give it a blast of canned air to ensure no particles or debris are left inside.

Step 5: Cleaning the mouse sensor

The mouse sensor is a sensitive and delicate part, and it’s not easy to access directly. It’s located behind the sensor lens, so you need to be careful when cleaning it.

Precautions for cleaning mouse sensor area

When cleaning the mouse sensor, avoid putting too much pressure on the lens and don’t rub it with anything hard, as this can damage the lens and affect the sensor’s performance.

Cleaning mouse sensor

To clean the sensor lens, dip a cotton swab into cleaning solution and gently clean the lens. If you find any gunk around the corners of the sensor lens frame, use a toothpick to remove dirt from the small crevices.

What not to do for cleaning the mouse?

Don’t get the mouse wet when you’re cleaning it.
Don’t spray any water or cleaning liquid on the mouse while you’re cleaning it.
If you’re using alcohol wipes or Isopropyl alcohol, make sure there’s no lighter or match flame nearby. Alcohol can catch fire quickly and easily. Also, don’t put lit cigarettes, cigars, or anything that can cause a fire near it.
Be gentle when you’re cleaning the mouse’s feet. Don’t scratch them with a toothpick or anything hard because that can damage the feet and affect how smoothly they move. Use cotton buds, like Q-tips, to clean them.

How to keep the mouse clean?

Make sure you wash your hands or use hand sanitizer before using the mouse.
Try not to use the mouse while munching on food.
Clean your mouse regularly with a clean piece of cloth.

How to sanitize the mouse?

Once you’re done cleaning the mouse, grab some alcohol wipes and use them to sanitize the surface. Wipe the mouse down thoroughly and leave it to dry completely. Alcohol is great for killing germs and making sure your mouse is clean and sanitary.

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How to clean a mouse and sanitize