How to Clean a Mouse
A dirty mouse feels sticky, glides unevenly and can track badly when dust covers the sensor. Cleaning it takes a few minutes, but the makers do not agree on everything, especially on alcohol. This guide shows how to clean a mouse safely, step by step, with what Logitech, Microsoft, Apple, Razer and Corsair each recommend.
What you need
- A soft, lint-free cloth, such as a microfibre cloth.
- A can of compressed air or a hand blower.
- Cotton swabs and a toothpick for the gaps.
- Water, and isopropyl alcohol only if your mouse maker allows it (see below).
Step 1: switch off and unplug
Every maker starts here. Logitech says to switch off and unplug your devices, “then wait 5 seconds before cleaning”. For a wireless mouse, switch it off and take out removable batteries; for a mouse with a receiver, unplug the receiver too.
Step 2: clean the outside
Wipe the shell, buttons and sides with a cloth that is only slightly damp. Never pour or spray liquid onto the mouse. Microsoft’s rule is simple: “Don’t apply liquids directly to your mouse or keyboard.” Apple adds: don’t get moisture in any openings.
Can you use isopropyl alcohol on a mouse?
It depends on the brand, and the makers give opposite advice:
| Maker | Alcohol on mice |
|---|---|
| Logitech | Recommended, used sparingly |
| Microsoft | Allowed at 70% or less |
| Apple | Water only for its mice |
| Razer | Avoid alcohol cleaners |
| Corsair | Avoid alcohol and solvents |
Corsair explains why: alcohol “may damage your mouse’s protective coating, paint, or printing details”. Razer puts its warning at the top of its cleaning guide. A cloth lightly dampened with water is safe with every brand, so use that unless your maker’s own instructions say alcohol is fine.
Step 3: clear the gaps
Dirt builds up between the buttons, around the scroll wheel and around the feet. Corsair says these gaps “are notorious for harbouring grime”.
- Hold the can of compressed air upright, so it blows air rather than liquid, and use short bursts into the gaps.
- Run a toothpick gently along the seams to lift packed dirt. Corsair warns not to use it on the sensor lens or inside the mouse.
- Finish with a barely damp cotton swab, then dry with the cloth.
Clearing dirt from around the buttons can also help if a button feels sticky or clicks twice. If a button still registers double clicks after cleaning, read how to fix a mouse that double clicks.
Step 4: clean the sensor
The sensor window on the underside needs care:
- Razer says to clean it with “a handheld blower or a can of compressed air” and not to use any liquid, which “may cause permanent damage to the sensor”.
- Apple suggests checking the sensor window under a bright light for hair or debris and using compressed air to clear it.
- Microsoft is the exception: it says you can gently wipe the optical sensor with a cloth or swab dampened with mild soap and water.
If your maker does not mention liquids for the sensor, compressed air is the safer choice.
Step 5: the feet and the mouse mat
The feet, also called skates, collect grime that makes the mouse drag. Razer recommends cleaning them regularly “for the best possible glide”. Wipe them with a dry or slightly damp cloth.
Your mouse mat matters too. For cloth mats, Razer suggests a lint-free microfibre cloth lightly dipped in tap water, wiped in circles, and says not to use soap, a washing machine or running water on its mats. Check the instructions for your own mat.
What not to do
- No sprays, bleach or harsh products. Apple advises against aerosol sprays, bleach, abrasives and products containing hydrogen peroxide.
- No soaking. Mice are not waterproof; keep moisture to a minimum.
- Do not open the mouse. Corsair warns that disassembling a mouse can void the warranty if you damage it.
- No abrasive cloths or paper towels on the shell. Apple recommends only a soft, lint-free cloth.
How often should you clean your mouse?
Microsoft suggests cleaning “monthly or whenever needed”. Clean more often if you share the mouse or eat at your desk. The US CDC, in its home cleaning advice, says to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for electronics and suggests a wipeable cover can make cleaning easier.
After cleaning: check your mouse
- Plug the mouse back in or switch it on.
- Press each button slowly on the mouse test. Every press should count exactly once.
- Move the mouse in slow circles and check the cursor follows smoothly. If it jumps, look at the sensor and the surface again.
Cleaning a keyboard
The same rules apply to keyboards. Microsoft suggests turning the keyboard upside down and tapping it gently to remove loose dirt, then using compressed air between the keys, then wiping with a cloth lightly dampened with mild soap and water. Razer adds that you can remove keycaps first if your keyboard allows it, and that you should never submerge a keyboard in liquid.
Frequently asked questions
Can I clean my mouse with alcohol?
Only if your mouse maker allows it. Logitech and Microsoft (70% or less) do; Razer and Corsair say to avoid alcohol because it can damage the coating; Apple says water only for its mice. A slightly damp cloth is safe for all of them.
How do I clean a mouse sensor?
Use compressed air or a hand blower. Razer warns that liquid can permanently damage the sensor. Microsoft allows a swab with mild soap and water for its own mice.
How do I clean a sticky mouse?
Unplug it, then wipe the shell with a lightly damp lint-free cloth and clean the gaps with compressed air and a toothpick. Use alcohol only if your mouse maker allows it.
How often should I clean my mouse?
Microsoft suggests monthly or whenever needed. Clean more often if the mouse is shared.
Can I wash my mouse pad?
Check the maker’s instructions. Razer says to clean its mats with a damp microfibre cloth and not to use a washing machine or running water.
Will cleaning fix a mouse that double clicks?
Sometimes. Dust under a button can cause double clicks, and compressed air may clear it. If it keeps happening, the switch may be worn.