No matter how great your new mouse is, it will eventually get dirty and need some extra care. It's not a surprise that something we use so often each day will need a bit of maintenance from time to time.
From hand sweat on a hot day to dust from your desk, your work mouse will come in contact with many little bits of grime. You can't really avoid it building up, but you can keep it well-maintained by cleaning it.
That's all well and good, but how do you go about cleaning a mouse without damaging the device? We're here to help, as we'll discuss what to use and do, what to avoid, and why it matters to give your mouse some proper TLC.
What to do
The first thing to do is to disconnect and ensure your mouse isn't powered on. If it's wired, disconnect it, and if it's wireless, remove the battery section for now.
Next, you'll want to decide what to use to clean your mouse. Different sites offer different advice, but it's generally a good rule to keep liquids away from devices. You could use an alcohol wipe or a cloth with a bit of soapy water, but be sure to keep these away from any internal parts. Brushing it down with a dry cloth is still worthwhile.
The safest and easiest method is to use compressed air. You can get these in cans or as an electric air duster, and they're the best way to clear out the difficult-to-reach areas like underneath and between buttons. Compressed air is very effective at blowing away dust and loose grime, so that's why we suggest using a cloth first to even just dislodge any dirt. If you removed the battery pack earlier, compressed air is the best thing to use. It's also a very handy piece of kit to have when cleaning your PC or keyboard, so you can never really go wrong with it.
AFFor a simple yet effective compressed air can, we suggest the AF Spray duster. It's excellent value for money, especially when buying one of its multipacks, and the 400ml capacity is more than enough to last you a while.
It's worth noting that this is a non-invertible can, meaning you'll have to use it upright. Still, that shouldn't be too much of an issue, as the nozzle has no trouble with hard-to-reach places. It's a great choice for those wanting to test out compressed air without committing to a more expensive electric duster.
Pros
- Great value with plenty of multipack options
- Nozzle is very good for reaching hard-to-reach areas
- Powerful blasts that are very effective
Cons
- Can only use upright
| Capacity | 400 ml |
| Angle range | 60 degrees |
| Dimensions | 24.7 x 20.1 x 21 cm |
For the underside of your mouse (or the sphere of a trackball design), you'll want a small cotton bud or even a toothpick. You can use this instead of a cloth here, as since this is where the mouse is moved the most, the debris will be more lodged. Press into it without scratching the mouse, and use compressed air or a dry cloth to remove the loosened dirt.
Regardless of your mouse's design, treat it gently. These devices are not built to be super durable, so don't wipe or brush them down too hard. Depending on how often you use your mouse, you may want to clean it somewhere between weekly and monthly. Waiting any longer means a bigger risk of dust damaging it or grime holding it back from performing to its potential.
What not to do
We mentioned it in the previous section, but it's generally a good rule to avoid getting your mouse wet. A semi-damp cloth probably won't do any notable damage, but anything bordering on washing your mouse is a no-go. Keep your mouse dry where possible, and especially ensure the battery compartment or cable head never gets wet.
Advice on whether to use an alcohol solution to clean a mouse conflicts from site to site, but we say it's best to err on the side of caution. If you have any decals or patterns on your mouse, the solution will likely erode or damage parts of it. If not the first time, it will over multiple cleaning sessions. Once again, it's best to keep things dry,
Also, if you can't get your hands on compressed air, don't try to reach those difficult areas by taking apart your mouse. You also shouldn't try to imitate compressed air by using a hoover or hair dryer. Anything that needs attentive care can be treated in the same way as cleaning the base of the mouse or can wait until you get access to compressed air. No one wants to break their mouse while trying to maintain it.
One final note for this section is that you don't want to have a messy desk. Avoid touching your mouse before cleaning greasy hands, keep hairy pets or fluffy toys off your desk space, and avoid eating with your mouse hand. Although you will still need to clean your mouse, this helps to slow the buildup of grime. A mousepad also does wonders for keeping the base of your mouse well-kept.
Why a clean mouse matters
It should be apparent by now that a buildup of dirt and dust can affect your mouse's performance and usability. While it would need to be in a dire condition to affect the left and right click, other functions like the scroll wheel and additional buttons may be slow to respond or even stiff. Likewise, anything interfering with the sensor at the base or the sphere of a trackball is going to cause issues with your mouse reading inputs. If you've ever had a mouse seemingly freeze up or not respond to you moving it, chances are something is obstructing its guidance.
By keeping your computer mouse clean and well-maintained, you'll also be able to use it for longer. A mouse that is taken good care of can last for years and shouldn't need to be replaced often.
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Kyle Purves is a Tech Writer and Reviewer for What's The Best, with an avid interest in all things gaming and tech.
They're well-versed in reviewing a variety of tech products, with a soft spot for speakers and earphones. They're also no stranger to hunting down the best savings, always wanting to get the best deal possible. Outside of work, they can often be found playing through an RPG, listening to Japanese noise rock, or trying to catch up with their ever-expanding list of shows and anime to watch. If possible, they try to play Dungeons and Dragons a couple of times a week, but getting six adults to be free at the same time is easier said than done.