mousepad cleaning tips?

[mightyisugs]

I have bought one of the larger sized northern lights desk mats early last year and haven't really cleaned it since I got it due to fear of destroying it. Does anyone have any tips on a good way to clean it? I feel like just throwing it in my washer would destroy it.

[Skiiwee29]

Warm soap and water and gentle scrubbing with a cloth. 

[wanderingfool2]

5 hours ago, mightyisugs said:

I have bought one of the larger sized northern lights desk mats early last year and haven't really cleaned it since I got it due to fear of destroying it. Does anyone have any tips on a good way to clean it? I feel like just throwing it in my washer would destroy it.

Best just warm water where needed, with a touch of soap/detergent.  (Although try maybe water first and gentle scrubbing with a cloth)

 

You could probably do the washer, but you would want to put it on a cold setting...but yea lots of chance of it getting wrecked that way if it gets caught etc.

 

Probably the best approach is just the warm water and mild detergent (do a small portion first to make sure it doesn't make things bleed).  Like honestly, I use hand soap to clean my (non-LTT) mouse pad...but avoid any cleaners with alcohol in them.  I've accidentally splashed alcohol on a few mouse pads and while it doesn't seem to effect the printed surface it really degrades the sponge portion.

 

Also I would say generally avoid hot water.

 

I always try minimizing the amount of water that gets on the pad as well (probably not too important, but I like doing it to avoid potential musty smell).  Like I'll clean the worst area first by dabbing a bit of water on it, then add a touch of detergent and scrub it then clean/pat it dry before it soaks into the foamy bottom.  It generally works well for me. (And doesn't take really that much time)

 

It also depends how much you care about the mouse pad as well...I've used a scrubber before, and hot soapy water and been good with it...really fast to clean, but I've also destroyed a mouse pad by doing that as well (so it depends what it's made from)