Written By:
Even the best computer mouse will need to be cleaned eventually. These valuable tools are constantly used by those who work on a computer regularly. This means that grime and debris are building up on them, causing potential problems if they aren’t dealt with. Learning how to clean a gaming mouse is easy and highly recommended, especially if you have the best gaming mouse.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Having a clean mouse feels great and is highly recommended by anybody who knows about tech. Regular cleaning allows you to keep your mouse working for years to come. To better understand the life expectancy of your mouse, try asking, “How long do gaming mice last?” If yours has met its end, it might be time to learn how to dispose of an old computer mouse.
Insider Tip
A microfiber cloth is great for removing grime from your mouse.
The first step is ensuring you have everything you need for the job. First, get a cotton swab and isopropyl alcohol ready, as well as a toothpick. You may want to use warm water, but this increases your chances of water damage and is not generally recommended.
Using a little isopropyl alcohol on a cotton swab, wipe down all your mouse surfaces, including parts like the scroll wheel and extra buttons. This will help remove grease, grime, and other built-up debris. Take care to work around the more sensitive components of your mouse, like the optical sensor.
As with any cleaning job, you’ll want to ensure every square inch of your mouse is clean. For this step, you’ll need to use your toothpick as a cleaning tool. Use it to gently work into the crevices of your mouse, scraping out any debris that has gotten caught in them.
Once you have worked everything out with your toothpick, your mouse is clean and ready to be used again. Just make sure you don’t miss any spots. You might also want to learn how to clean a gaming mouse pad next, especially if you have a dirty mouse pad.
Warning
Never submerge your mouse in water or run water over it to rinse it off, as it will cause water damage.
STAT: In 2016, Florida is forecast to spend 930 million U.S. dollars on IT peripherals. (source)