How to clean a mouse pad made of plastic, rubber, or fabric? Cleaning the mouse pad correctly: choosing a product, tools, taking into account the material

Cleaning rugs from different manufacturers

General rules of care

Useful tips

Video

The performance of a computer mouse directly depends on the quality of the surface on which it moves, as well as on its cleanliness. Therefore, any user should know how to clean a mouse pad so that it does not fail at the most crucial moment.

The smoothness of movements, the accuracy of the pointer and other parameters of a computer mouse directly depend on the quality and cleanliness of the accessory used

Cleaning Rules

To avoid damaging the product during cleaning, follow these recommendations:

if you still have the instructions, be sure to read them - this will help you avoid mistakes;
do not wash the mat with hot water;
Before the main cleaning, remove stuck-on dirt with a plastic scraper;
It is advisable to wash the rug by hand - this way there is less risk of damaging it;
Do not wash the illuminated product with water: only special napkins for equipment are suitable;
When washing by hand, do not squeeze, wrinkle, or rub the accessory too much;
A heavily worn or torn rug cannot be cleaned; this will lead to even greater damage. It is better to replace it with a new, more convenient and modern one;
After cleaning, the product should be thoroughly dried and only then used;
The accessory needs to be cleaned every 3-4 months or more often, depending on the frequency of contamination.

Attention! Before treating your rug, check how much it sheds. Using a clean, wet cloth, apply pressure over a small area of the product. If a colored mark remains on the cloth, the mat can only be cleaned with office equipment wipes and a non-concentrated soap solution: ¼ bar of brown laundry soap per 1 liter of water.

Traditional methods

When cleaning your mouse pad, you can also use home remedies:

baby soap and shampoos;
ammonia;
washing powder.

Of the listed substances, ammonia requires special attention. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes of the nose and mouth. If this happens, rinse with plenty of water and consult a doctor.

Homemade preparations do not have an antistatic effect and do not form a slip film.

What will you need?

Choosing the right tools and products will help you clean your accessory efficiently and without damaging it. The following can be used as cleaning products:

wet wipes or cleaning product for office equipment;
non-aggressive detergents: shampoo, laundry soap;
monitor cleaning spray;
alcohol.

Necessary tools and equipment:

soft sponge;
microfiber cloth;
roller for cleaning clothes or stationery tape (optional);
plastic scraper (optional);
cotton pads.

List of means and devices that cannot be used:

sharp objects: scissors, metal scrapers, knives, blades, files, etc. – they can easily damage the coating;
aggressive and abrasive products: washing powders, household chemicals for cleaning plumbing and kitchen appliances;
hard brushes, metal sponges that scratch the surface and erase the design.

How to remove animal hair and dust

This cannot be done quickly on carpets with long pile. Using equipment you will only remove debris lying on the surface. This is especially true for apartments where there are pets. In addition to long cat and dog hair, there is undercoat that gets stuck between the hairs. It will have to be removed manually.

How to clean a carpet without a vacuum cleaner

There are several ways to refresh the coating and get all the dirt out of it.

Snow. In winter, the rug is rubbed with snow, beaten, and then left in the fresh air for a while. Frost also helps get rid of dust mites.
A regular brush with long, stiff bristles. You can moisten it a little with water.
Soda. Sprinkle baking soda evenly and leave for half an hour. Vacuum up the powder. If the pile is long, do this several times.
Sawdust. They are rubbed in with a dry brush. When the layer darkens, it is removed and the coating is vacuumed. If necessary, repeat the procedure.

If dry treatment does not help, you can wash the carpet right at home. Since it is very difficult to dry dense material on the floor, you cannot use a lot of water. The easiest way to treat the product is with household chemicals. For example, "Vanishem". But you can make your own cleaning product.

How to make your own detergent

Soap solution. Dissolve 5-6 g of laundry soap shavings in one and a half liters of water. Do not pour everything onto the floor, but spray it from a spray bottle or treat the surface with a sponge, brush, or cloth dipped in liquid.
Soda with warm water: 1 glass per 10 liters. For a small area you can make it smaller while maintaining the proportions. Spray the solution from a spray bottle. If necessary, rub into the material. Wait until completely dry and vacuum.
Soda with vinegar. Sprinkle the powder evenly over the surface, wait 30 minutes and remove it. Mix one tablespoon of vinegar with one glass of warm water and spray from a spray bottle. Wait half an hour and remove any remaining product with a brush (along the pile).

First, test how the vinegar works on the fabric on a small area of the carpet.

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How to clean a gaming mouse pad?

These rugs are very different from other models. They are designed for gamers, and therefore contain many additional functions: USB connectors, Bluetooth inputs, lighting, etc. Because of these features, they are difficult to clean, because the electronics do not tolerate contact with water.

However, it is necessary to clean dirt from them in any case; this can be done as follows:

Clean with office equipment wipes or special sprays for cleaning contacts/monitors.
Remove the remaining stains with a napkin soaked in a solution of ammonia in water (1:1), it is important to ensure that the product does not get inside.
Wipe the accessory dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Distinctive features of working with wooden furniture

Depending on the manufacturing features, furniture may be sensitive to a certain type of cleaning. Wooden surfaces can be damaged under the influence of such factors:

mechanical impact;
influence of acids or alkalis;
a large amount of liquid;
severe dryness;
elevated temperatures.

In addition, it is important to consider that wood has a porous structure. If you neglect to systematically clean surfaces, there is a risk of grease getting into the structure of the material. It will be very difficult to remove it

It will be very difficult to remove it.

It is important to consider that fat deposits have a tendency to polymerize. It will not be possible to remove such stains without professional solutions.

Caring for different brands of rugs

Each manufacturer provides its own recommendations on how to clean a particular accessory; most often, such information can be found in the instructions for the product.

A4 tech x7

This computer mouse pad is durable and strong, but gets dirty quickly, because... easily absorbs dirt.

You can clean it with wet wipes for computer equipment. For more thorough removal of dirt, the following method is suitable:

Make a soap solution.
Soak the rug in it for 15-20 minutes.
Moisten a soft sponge with liquid soap.
Clean the accessory with it, removing all dirt.
Rinse off the foam with water.
Blot with a dry cloth and dry.

SteelSeries QcK

SteelSeries QcK are rubberized, strong and durable. They are easy to wash, so you can clean them by hand as follows.

Necessary:

Soak the accessory in water with 1-3 drops of dishwashing liquid for 10-15 minutes.
Apply shampoo to a soft sponge.
Clean the product.
Wash off any remaining product.
Dry.

Roccat

Rugs of this brand are durable and wear-resistant due to the aluminum layer. The only thing you cannot do with the product is bend it.

You can clean the accessory in the same way as SteelSeries.

Razer

This manufacturer produces several models:

Vespula - it has a smooth and rough side;
Kabuta – adhesive layer on the bottom, microfiber on top.

The smooth side, as well as the Kabuto model, can be cleaned with soapy water or laundry soap. For rough surfaces, it is allowed to use only running water or wipes to clean office equipment.

As a preventive measure, you can treat accessories of this brand once a week with a cotton swab dipped in an alcohol solution (1:1).

Attention! The Razer mat cannot be rubbed or bent.

Bloody

This model belongs to the premium class, it is stitched and has a rough surface. Bloody is great for mice with aluminum legs.

You can clean a rug from this manufacturer using a soap solution or sprays or liquids for cleaning computer equipment.

Types of rugs

Plastic. Thin rubber-based products. They are easy to care for and resistant to stains, but the legs and surface of the mat wear out quickly.
Thin. Plastic products are quite impractical to use.
Cork. The surface is made of polished corks, it fixes the mouse well on the surface, but makes it difficult to move quickly.
Fabric. Pleasant to the touch and comfortable to use. Often sold with an arm cushion.
Rubber. The mat is a standard size, made of porous rubber. Does not slip and does not deteriorate during operation.
Gaming. The size of the mat is larger than standard, which is convenient for long games. Consists of two layers. The lower one is made of porous rubber, the upper one is made of soft fabric. A very convenient and practical item to use.
Leather. Product made of genuine leather. Attracts with its stylish appearance and does not slip on the table. The mouse works with average accuracy.

What to clean and how to wash?

Before starting the procedure, you should determine what material the product is made of. More often, accessories are made of fabric, foam or plastic. There are many factors to consider when cleaning your mouse pad. The fabric product should be wiped with a damp cloth and a little shampoo, as the product has a mild effect. Rag has a larger structure compared to plastic. If you clean a material made of plastic, use any non-aggressive product, including soap or shampoo. The following steps must be followed:

Wash the rug thoroughly.
Remove any remaining detergent.
Wipe dry.
Leave until completely dry.

Can it be washed?

When choosing a cleansing method, you should take into account the features of the products

You should wash your mouse pad carefully so as not to damage the product. Even if it is made of foam material, wet washing is prohibited

It also cannot be dried with a hairdryer or dried on a radiator, as it can change shape. If you wash off the lint on the top layer, the mouse cursor detection will be inaccurate, which will lead to incorrect operation. Synthetic-based products are most often used. However, the coating may come off when washed.

A special toothbrush or a toothbrush with soft bristles will do the best job of cleaning. If these methods do not help, you can gently wash them in water. A special miniature vacuum cleaner is suitable for this. The product should not fade when washed; you can check this with a damp cloth. A wet rug must be dried on a flat surface. It is necessary to keep the product clean, avoiding significant contamination. Cleansing products can be found in any specialty store. It is advisable to perform this procedure once every 3 months. Regular care can extend the life of the product.

Can I wash my mouse pad in the washing machine?

Not all accessories are machine washable. This stain removal method is only suitable for fabric and rubber.

These materials are quite resistant to mechanical stress. However, there are rules for washing them:

do not machine wash if the product is very worn, with unraveling seams;
be sure to place the rug in a washing bag - this will protect it from scratches and abrasions;
spinning must be turned off;
The water temperature should not be more than 40°C.

Attention! Washing fabric and rubber mats in a washing machine is a last resort option. If possible, it is better to clean the product by hand.

The history of the first mouse stands

The term “mouse pad” appeared in 1983, and the accessory itself a little earlier. According to the New York Times, its inventor is the founder of Moustrak, Bob McDermand. He himself, however, did not consider himself such, claiming that he had already heard about similar ideas somewhere.

Modern models of rugs are made from different materials

Today, rugs are made from different materials:

plastic;
glass;
aluminum;
rubber;
cork;
textile.

Since the mouse pad is used quite a lot, it may become stained with sweat and oil from the user's hands. You can get rid of them by cleaning.

Proper drying

After cleaning, the mat must be dried properly. This will protect the product from deformation, delamination, loss of functionality and color.

There are several rules to follow when removing excess moisture:

Do not dry the product with a hairdryer, on a heater, radiator or near an open fire;
You can remove excess moisture with paper or regular towels, dry wipes, or a soft cloth. It is better not to use a fabric with lint, as it will remain on the rug;
It is necessary to dry the accessory for 2-3 days until the liquid has completely evaporated;
You can place the product on a horizontal surface covered with a highly absorbent fabric, or hang it on a clothesline, securing it with clothespins.

Cleaning fabric covered rugs

Fabric mouse pads are one of the most popular

Models of mats with a fabric covering and a rubber base for adhesion to the table surface are the most common among computer users. The rough surface of the material prevents the mouse from slipping and facilitates accurate cursor placement on the monitor screen. However, dust quickly accumulates in the fabric; the material easily absorbs sweat, grease and dirt.

It is recommended to clean fabric mouse pads at least once a week using short-bristled brushes or clean, soft-bristled toothbrushes. The most effective way to dry clean a product from dust is to use a mini-vacuum cleaner designed for treating small surfaces or blowing through a computer system unit.

Poor quality mouse pads may fade when washed.

In cases of significant soiling, a fabric-covered product can be washed. Before washing your mouse pad, you need to find out how resistant the accessory’s paint is to wet processing. To do this, wipe the edge of the fabric with a wet cloth. If the paint does not change color or smear, the rug is washable. The washing itself is carried out as follows:

The mat should be wetted under running slightly warm water.
The surface of the product is soaped until foam forms with the palm of your hand or a soft sponge with movements directed in one direction. To wash the rug, you need to use detergents that do not contain aggressive substances - shampoo, baby soap, neutral dishwashing compounds.
Leave the foam on the mat for 5 minutes.
Then the surface of the material must be thoroughly rinsed with cool water, squeezing out the foam with light pressure until it completely disappears.

It is not recommended to use brushes when washing rugs with a “control” type coating. In order not to damage the fleecy surface, it must be treated with a soft sponge, rag or hands. Do not rub the seams and joints of the product materials too much. There is an opinion that the film on the mat left after the soap solution promotes mouse movements. However, in fact, detergent residues negatively affect the optics of the manipulator, and they often form white stains on the surface of the mat.

Tips for care and use

Here are a few more recommendations that will extend the life of the product and maintain its beautiful appearance:

The accessory must be cleaned at least every 3 months;
you cannot eat or drink at the computer - this leads to contamination of the keyboard, mouse and rug;
the faster the stain is removed, the greater the chance of returning the product to its original appearance;
wipe the dust from the rug every 6-7 days;
When cleaning, do not forget to also clean the mouse and keyboard; a lot of dirt accumulates in them.

Useful tips

A few simple manipulations will help put the accessory in order. The cleaning process will not take much time. However, before you get started, check out a few additional recommendations that will help not only save you time, but also maintain the attractiveness of the pad, mouse and computer desk:

When cleaning the mat, do not forget to pay attention to the mouse - remove dust from its lower part.
In order to reduce the frequency of washing, it is recommended to wipe the product with wet wipes every other day.
Dry the product thoroughly, especially if it is placed on a wooden table.
Do not start working while the product is still wet, this may harm the mouse.

If the rug gets very dirty or begins to tear, it is not recommended to wash it. In this case, it is better to go to the store and buy a new one.

Gamers and those who work on the computer pay a lot of money for quality accessories. Some cost more than a good keyboard or mouse. It's a shame when improper washing leads to damage to the appearance or deterioration of performance characteristics. We hope that the recommendations given in the article will help extend the life of your accessories.

How to remove difficult stains?

The work can be complicated not only by the age of the contamination, but also by its origin: let’s figure out how to deal with stains like coffee or blood on the carpet.

Check out our selection of handy tools for effective cleaning.

Tea, coffee, wine

Coloring drinks, especially fresh ones, can be easily removed with ammonia: apply the mixture with a napkin, leave for 2-4 hours, rinse with water.

Salt is suitable for wine: pour it onto a fresh puddle, then remove the colored part, pour fresh salt again.

Chocolate

It is not always possible to trace all the actions of children, so the sticky sweet mass that has melted on their hands can migrate from their fingers to their favorite carpet.

If you notice fresh contamination, fill it with mineral water: carbon dioxide will prevent the treat from being absorbed into the pile.
You can remove short hair with ice: just freeze it and then scrape it off.
Hydrogen peroxide will help on a long one - but first do a test on an inconspicuous area, H2O2 has the ability to bleach and can turn a bright carpet into a damaged product.

Grease stain

It doesn’t matter what caused the stain - a hot dish, spilled oil or plasticine, it will have to be removed with acid. Lemon or vinegar works best.

But no less effective in the fight against fat is ammonia or other concentrated alcohol. Wet a napkin or cotton pad, place it on the stain, and wait until it dries.

Urine

The hardest part about removing waste is not the color, but the smell. For home remedies, try vinegar or ammonia, but it is better to purchase special odor eliminators for the carpet at a household chemical or pet supply store, or take it to dry cleaning.

Wax

Taking advantage of the low melting point of candle wax, use an iron or hair dryer: place a paper napkin on the dirt, heat it, remove it along with the wax residue.

Pen, markers

Ink stains in 90% of cases are completely removed from carpets with alcohol (ammonia or regular alcohol cologne). If the advice does not help, use glycerin: apply directly to the stain, blot with a towel, and apply again. Over time, the ink will dissolve and wash off.

Blood

Fresh drops are cleaned off with ice water or hydrogen peroxide. Dried hair on short hair can be simply scraped off; on long hair, you will have to soak it in cold water and use vinegar or soap.

Earth

Has the cat dropped a pot of soil onto the light carpet again? The main difficulty is that the soil is not only a stain, but also tiny particles.

First of all, remove them with a vacuum cleaner, after making sure that the soil is dry - a brush in combination with damp lumps will only make things worse.
Then use warm, soapy water and a clean cloth or soft brush.

On long-pile carpets, the procedure will have to be repeated several times, thoroughly drying the carpet between approaches.

How to choose a carpet cleaning method?

There is no universal product that will cope equally well with stains on different carpets. In order not to spoil the product, it is necessary to choose the correct cleaning method. The most important role in choosing what to clean a carpet with at home is the material.

Synthetics

The most practical floor coverings that do not require special care. Synthetic carpets can be easily cleaned with a vacuum cleaner, can be washed, and heavier stains can be removed using almost any traditional method or chemicals.

But you should be careful with some products:

Carpets with an adhesive backing cannot be washed so as not to deform the structure.
You should not dry nylon carpets in the sun after cleaning, as they fade under the influence of ultraviolet radiation.
Synthetic fibers quickly absorb stains, so try to remove stains as quickly as possible.
For washing, use only cold water - boiling water deforms the structure of the threads and the product wears out faster.
Hard brushes damage the pile, especially if you work them against carpet wool.

Synthetic carpets do not tolerate only aggressive cleaning methods: gasoline, acetone, chlorine bleach, solvent.

What can be used for cleaning:

Laundry soap
Ammonia
Soda
Lemon juice
Vinegar
Vanish and other commercial synthetic carpet cleaners

Wool

Wool products last from 20 to 50 years. Natural material is practically not electrified, so it does not attract dust. Such products are especially valued in the home, because they create comfort, retain heat and give pleasant tactile sensations.

But wool is very demanding in care:

Natural carpets absorb moisture well. If you lay a carpet in a room with high humidity, over time the fibers will begin to deteriorate, an unpleasant smell of rot will appear, and bacteria will begin to multiply.
Fungi, mold and moths quickly grow in wool pile, so you need to protect it and know how to get rid of moths so that the product does not have to be thrown away.
Do not wash woolen runners with hot water above 40 degrees, so as not to spoil the color and structure of the fibers.
Stain removers and bleaches attack the dyes used to dye wool. The threads become deformed and lose color.

Vacuum the carpet in the direction of the pile and immediately remove stains before they become embedded. It is better to only sweep a new carpet during the first 2 months. It also doesn’t hurt to knock it out once every two weeks, but only in a horizontal position. And once every 1-2 years, rugs need deeper professional dry cleaning.

What can be used for cleaning:

Snow
Salt
Ammonia
Vinegar solution
Lemon juice
Sauerkraut
Potato
Specialized purchased products

Silk

Silk carpets are a luxurious addition to the interior. Delicate silk threads are 5 times stronger than steel and are not afraid of shrinkage, deformation and abrasion.

But such rugs are no less capricious to care for than wool:

Silk does not tolerate humidity in the apartment, heavy furniture and heels.
The surface can only be cleaned with soft bristled brushes or vacuumed with smooth attachments with minimal traction.
Direct sunlight leads to fading, so bright rooms are contraindicated for silk products. If the corners of the rug extend under furniture, turn it periodically, otherwise it will fade unevenly.
Wet cleaning and silk surfaces are incompatible; even washing vacuum cleaners and steam cleaners can cause harm. If only part of the carpet is wet, it should be dried naturally: no hair dryer, batteries or heaters.

The most difficult stains, stubborn and old stains require only professional care, otherwise you risk losing an expensive item.

What can be used for cleaning:

Snow
Light vinegar solution
Vacuum cleaner with minimal traction (brush movement along the pile)
Professional cleaning

Viscose

Viscose is an artificial material obtained from cellulose. It is easy to paint, allows you to create any pattern and is very soft to the touch, so it is as popular as other coatings. And it costs much less. Visually and externally it is difficult to distinguish it from wool, silk or synthetics, but the material is inferior in matters of practicality.

Viscose instantly absorbs moisture and dries poorly, which leads to the formation of mold and mildew.
After drying, the soft pile loses its properties and becomes harder.
Viscose fibers are not elastic, so they are severely damaged by mechanical stress.
Thorough cleaning with brushes and rags damages the carpet, which is almost impossible to restore.

Contaminants quickly eat into the cellulose fibers, so spilled tea and dog paw marks after a walk should be removed immediately.

What can be used for cleaning:

Lemon acid
Tea brewing
Hydrogen peroxide
Laundry soap
Salt

Fur

Fluffy, cozy carpets made of natural fur are the pride of the owner and the misfortune of the mistress. They decorate the interior, but require careful cleaning:

Periodically, the carpet must be combed and shaken out so that the pile remains fluffy and dust does not get deeper.
To extend its service life, protect the fur product from sunlight and moisture and never wash it in a washing machine.
If sudden stains appear, immediately remove them with a clean, slightly damp soft cloth, because dirt quickly eats into the fur fibers.
You can vacuum fur carpets, but only with the pile, and not against it.

What can be used for cleaning:

Acetic acid
Petrol
Ammonia

Pile length and color

Before cleaning a carpet, it is important to consider not only the material, but also the length of the pile and the color of the product.

Short pile. Dust and dirt accumulate on the surface and do not penetrate deep into the fibers, so it is much easier to care for the carpet. Such carpets are not selective in the cleaning method: you can use any available means and household appliances.
Long pile. Garbage, hair, and pet hair easily get caught in long piles, so you need to be especially careful with such products. Active cleaning with brushes or a vacuum cleaner and aggressive impact damage the base. After wet cleaning, long-pile carpets take quite a long time to dry out - mold and unpleasant odors become their faithful companions. To maintain the original appearance of the rug, beat it out more often and treat it with special foams and shampoos designed for long-pile carpets.

Any thing tends to fade over time, carpets are no exception. To avoid speeding up this process when cleaning at home, consider the color of the product before washing the carpet.

Light carpets. A high-risk area, as any stains instantly set and become noticeable. Cleaning light-colored rugs with products that can stain the fibers is contraindicated. Therefore, it is better to put lemon juice, tea leaves and other coloring substances aside. But soda, starch and soap should always be on hand.
Dark and colored carpets. White powders, starch, potatoes, soda remove dirt, but leave behind unsightly marks and stains, which are very noticeable against a dark background. Use a solution of ammonia and water. It will not only remove stains, but also make the carpet softer.

Once the “war zone” has been designated, you can begin cleaning.