Washing/cleaning soft mouse pad with RGB lighting.

[neurotix]

Hey all,

 

I am wondering what the best way is to clean a thick cloth mouse pad with rubber on the bottom and RGB lighting around the sides. It is https://www.amazon.com/UtechSmart-Extended-Brightness-Mousepads-31-5×11-8/dp/B07PQDLF51/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=utechsmart+mousepad&qid=1675115239&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUE1SzZOS0JJN09aMDEmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTA2MTk5NjUxMzFHSTRCWFJETjJUJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAxNzc1MzVWMjBITEhYQ05CT1kmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

 

Sorry for the long ass link. I dont know how to shorten them

 

Anyway, I know with soft pads you can run them through the dishwasher but we have a brand new dishwasher that has a drying cycle that uses high heat. I also assume the little box attached to it in the top left with the button to change the colors that the cable connects to has a simple PCB inside.

 

Is there any other way to clean smudged areas on the mousepad? I had one just like this for years and the rgb became dim over time, I tried Dust Off wipes and alcohol wipes on the cloth to clean it and they left fibrous residue on the pad that never came off. Any ideas?

Edited January 30, 2023 by neurotix

[neurotix]

Anyone know how best to clean a mousepad that probably can't go in the dishwasher? Should I use Dawn on a damp towel?

[pio]

13 minutes ago, neurotix said:

Anyone know how best to clean a mousepad that probably can't go in the dishwasher? Should I use Dawn on a damp towel?

Note:  I've never tried cleaning a mousepad, I just replace when mine get gross and I use cheapie ones.  So take ANY advice I give with a huge grain of salt.......

 

I don't imagine a little bit of Dawn would hurt.  You could start off with just simply a damp towel.  If you're getting fibers stuck on it like you mentioned in your OP, you might try a microfiber towel.  I'd try just a damp microfiber first.  I'd grab a bowl of water or something, try that.  If that doesn't do it, add a drop of Dawn to the bowl.  Try again, and keep adding Dawn (a drop at a time) till you're clean.  I'd try to keep the solution as diluted as possible, but strong enough to clean.

Then again, I've never done this so it could potentially ruin your pad.  I truthfully don't know.  I would certainly IMAGINE so long as you're not soaking the thing, it'd probably be just fine though.

[neurotix]

It's only really dirty/noticeable on areas that are NOT near the rgb strip on the sides. The biggest culprit and problem is basically dead skin on the bottom of my mouse that accumulates around the rubber pads on the bottom. Then if I move it a certain way it'll transfer to the mousepad and look like a streak of light discoloration. I've tried using a toothpick to go around the edges of the rubber pads on the bottom of my mouse to get the dead skin off, which also accumulates on game controllers under heavy use around the seams where the halves meet, and its effective on game controllers but not on the rubber pads underneath my mouse. (I probably need to just peel them off and use Goo Gone on where the pads were to remove any stickyness.)

 

I usually have the bright white led recessed lights in my basement room (there's like 18 in the ceiling) OFF and have a lamp near my desk plus bright leds coming from my rig, and the mousepad looks fine then. But with those lights on its really noticeable.

 

Thanks for your advice. I will try it.

 

 

[schuck6566]

Don't know about the RGB aspect, but I clean my mouse pad with dawn in warm water using a soft scrubbing brush to gently work the dirt loose.(an old tooth brush works also). Then I squeeze what water I can out after rinsing it well and hang it to dry. If the RGB can get wet then air dry this may work for you. Edit: Just read that it's water proof, so drying shouldn't be a problem. Just watch for getting any liquids in the header if it's open.

Edited February 4, 2023 by schuck6566

[RockThePylon]

I used a diluted spray cleaner (Meguiars D101) intended for automotive fabrics, an old toothbrush for scrubbing, and a towel.

Mist, scrub, dab off liquid. Repeat. Use a white towel to disgust yourself.
Switched to just water for a "rinse".

I hesitate to use anything too thick or concentrated when you can't rinse with running water. Most soaps will leave a residue, either attracting grit quicker, or could possibly affect movement feel.

[SamsTechStuff]

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Edited February 5, 2023 by SamsTechStuff

[neurotix]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I used q-tips and alcohol to clean up the rubber pads on my mouse, and tap water on a microfiber cloth, rung out somewhat, to clean the mousepad. I scrubbed the mousepad fairly hard with it and it took the stuff off.

 

Thank you all and especially @pioneerisloud