How to Get the Smell Out of a Mousepad: 10 Steps

Mousepads are subject to sweat, spills, crumbs, and more. It’s no surprise they get dirty and covered in gross smells, but you should do your best to get rid of them. The good news is most of the items you need to clean your computer mousepad are easy to use and very common.

To get the smell out of a mousepad, use alcohol wipes to get rid of dust and debris, then soak the mousepad in a 1:1 water to white vinegar solution for five minutes and scrub it with a toothbrush. Air-dry the mousepad, then use a lint roller to remove excess surface particles.

In this post, we’ll cover the ten-step process to get rid of smells in a mousepad. We’ll also show you how to keep your mousepad clean and odor-free for many years to come. Enjoy!

Use Alcohol Wipes to Remove Surface Debris

Alcohol wipes are quite effective against bad smells on a mousepad. Remember, the goal isn’t to soak the pad. One or two wipes will be more than enough to get rid of dust, crumbs, spills, and so on. Place the mousepad on a few paper towels or newspapers to protect your desk.

Wooden desks can get too dry and crack from alcohol. It’s not worth risking it if you don’t have to! Once your mousepad is wiped down and ready to go, head to the next step to deep clean it.

Mix Water a White Vinegar for the Mousepad

According to Quality Logo Products, you should use cold water to keep your mousepad’s fabric from loosening. Stir one cup of water vinegar into one cup of cold water until they’re thoroughly mixed. Pour the solution into a container big enough to submerge the mousepad, such as a plastic Tupperware.

The amount of water and white vinegar you use could vary, depending on your mousepad’s size. However much you use, keep it to a 1:1 ratio. It’s important to dilute the vinegar, but you don’t want to water it down too much. Vinegar is the primary component to remove the smell from your mousepad.

It’s also a useful solution for cleaning your laptop sleeve.

Soak the Mousepad in for Five Minutes to Remove Odors

Submerge the mousepad in the white vinegar and water solution. Agitate the water to remove some of the deep-set debris inside. It’s best to let it sit in the mixture for at least five minutes, but it doesn’t hurt to let it stay a bit longer if it’s been a while since you cleaned the mousepad.

White vinegar is very effective against wear and tear odors, but dish soap can be a better option if you’re trying to get rid of the rubber scent of a new mousepad. Steel Series suggests using dish soap to get rid of that ‘brand-new mousepad’ odor. A couple of drops in a cup of water would do the trick.

Scrub It With a Toothbrush or Sponge

I prefer using a toothbrush because it lets you focus on the tough stains. Whether it’s a juice spill or crumbs stuck in the fabric, a toothbrush or slightly abrasive sponge is more than enough to cut into the debris.

Don’t scrub too hard or you’ll damage the fabric and tear strands across the polyester. However, those with a metal or hardened plastic mousepad can scrub away.

Do your best not to bed or warp the mousepad during the cleaning process. Scrubbing it against itself will remove stains, but it can crack the pad or leave it permanently bent.

Air Dry the Mousepad

You should air dry or hang dry your mousepad. They’re not designed to go in a dryer, and you might lose your mousepad if you try to take the easy route. The good news is most mousepads dry very quickly, especially if they’re made of polyester, metal, or hardened plastic. All of these materials wick moisture efficiently.

If you want to avoid sun bleaching the fabric, place it in front of a fan rather than leaving it outside. Mousepads can get discolored rather quickly from excess sunlight.

Clean the Underside of the Pad

When you’re done drying the mousepad, flip it over and look for debris. While the soaking and scrubbing likely got rid of most of the gunk and odor-causing grossness, it’s a good idea to double-check. The plastic or fabric covering under a mousepad can absorb all sorts of scents, making it smell horrible over a long period of time.

Wipe the Desk or Table to Wash the Source

The area under your mousepad can trap everything that falls on it. Condensation, spills, and everything in between will stick to the desk or table. Wipe it down so nothing soaks back into the mousepad. Ensure you’re using products safe for the material of the desk so you don’t ruin it.

Note: I recommend using a mousepad with a gel wrist pad. You can get a separate wrist pad if yours isn’t built-in. Wrist pads elevate your hands, preventing sweat from getting all over your mousepad and table. It’s an easy way to keep odors at bay.

Remove Excess Dust with a Lint Roller

Lint rollers are vastly underrated when it comes to cleaning mousepads, clothes, furniture, and more. Wiping your mousepad with a lint roller every now and then will make a huge difference. If your mousepad is covered in pet hair, dust, lint, and other gunk, it’ll develop unwanted bad smells.

If you don’t have a lint roller, you could use duct tape. Wrap it around your hand and dab the surface. Make sure you don’t rip the corners of the mousepad (if it’s made of fabric). This issue could cause strands to pull away, causing damage to the mousepad.

Maintain the Mousepad to Keep Smells Out

Maintaining your mousepad is important because it prevents bad smells, wear and tear, and more. If you want to make your mousepad look, feel, and smell as good as new (without the rubber scent), it’s best to scrub it wish a sponge dipped in warm soap and water every couple of weeks.

If you notice a spill, crumbs, and other problems, clean them as soon as possible. They’re much easier to deal with if you don’t let them soak in. It also stops the odors from mixing and getting worse.

Consider Putting the Mousepad in the Laundry Machine

PC Gaming Race explains an excellent way to deep clean your mousepad and remove smells is to toss it in the washer. You could also use a dishwasher if you don’t have access to a laundry machine. This method is ideal for mousepads in good condition, but it can make things worse if your mousepad is old or worn. You wouldn’t want the threads to pull away or the fabric to disconnect from the mousepad.

When your mousepad is done in the laundry, hang dry it or put it under a fan as you would with the process I explained throughout this post. Dryers are a no-go for mousepads!

Wrapping It Up

Keeping your mousepad clean and free of bad smells is quite easy if you have white vinegar, water, a toothbrush, and a lot of patience. While dish soap isn’t required, scented soaps can make your mousepad smell pleasant. Note that some mousepads are sensitive to dyes, artificial scents, and so on.

Throwing your mousepad in the laundry machine should be a last resort. Never put it in the dryer since it can damage the fibers.