Cleaning your RGB mousepad or RGB desk mat can be accomplished in three easy steps:
- Unplug the RGB desk mat
- Gently scrub the mat using a microfiber cloth dampened with warm soapy water
- Let the mat air dry until fully dry
In this article, you will learn how to clean your RGB desk mat in greater detail. You’ll also learn what the best cleaners to use are, and which cleaners to avoid.
Additionally, we will cover how to tell if your RGB mousepad needs cleaning. As well as why you should clean it regularly, and how cleaning an RGB desk mat differs from cleaning other mousepads.
For the purpose of this guide, you can treat a desk mat, mouse mat, and mousepad to be the same thing. This guide works for any mat or pad you use on your desk that has RGB lights.
How To Wash An RGB Desk Mat
Before learning how to wash your desk mat you might be wondering,
can you wash an RGB desk mat?
Even though RGB desk mats are electronic, they can still be washed and should be cleaned if they become too dirty. However, you need to take extra precautions when cleaning your RGB desk mat so that you don’t damage any electrical parts.
The first step to washing your RGB desk mat is to unplug it. This will protect both the electronics of the desk mat and the computer it’s connected to. This is also a crucial safety measure so that you don’t shock yourself.
Next, soak a microfiber cloth or sponge in the water and wring it out so that it is damp but not dripping wet. This will help keep you from getting water in the electrical ports.
Then gently scrub the RGB mousepad, especially paying attention to sections that have dirt, oil, or grease spots.
Avoid the port where the desk mat plugs into the computer. If you get water in the electrical circuits, you might fry them and then your mousepad will not light up.
Next, get another microfiber cloth or thoroughly rinse out the one you have just used so there is no soap residue left on it. Wipe the mousepad down again but this time the cloth should be damp with only water (no soap).
A wipe-down rinse is done so that the soapy residue doesn’t gum up the surface of the pad over time. This will help your desk mat last longer so you can get all the benefits of a desk mat for longer.
Then, let the pad air dry until fully dry, or overnight to be safe, and then plug it back in to use it again.
Although the process is super simple, I have answered some more in-depth questions about what you should use to clean your mouse mat below. This video might help if you want a visual guide.
Best Cleaning Products To Use For An RGB Desk Mat
An RGB desk mat doesn’t require special cleaning products in order to wash it off. If you want to know how to clean a mousemat with electronic RGB lighting, all you have to do is follow our instructions and use the right cleaners. Chances are you already have everything you need right in your house.
Regular hand soap or dish soap is sufficient to wash off an RGB desk mat. Sometimes, if the dirt spots aren’t too difficult, you can just use water to wash them off. A microfiber cloth works best for scrubbing because it is gentle on sensitive surfaces, but a regular washcloth or even a soft paper towel will work as well.
Electronic wipes and non-bleach cleaning wipes are also good for cleaning off dirty spots as well as disinfecting RGB mousepads. You still need to be cautious around the plug with these though as they could harm the electronics if moisture got inside the port.
Cleaning Methods To Avoid When Washing an RGB Desk Mat
While cleaning your RGB desk mat is rather simple, there are certain materials and chemicals you should never use. Don’t use bleach or any wipes that contain bleach to clean off the RGB desk mat. Never use any abrasive cleaning pads such as steel wool or harsh scrubbers. These could damage the surface of the mouse pad, making it unusable.
It is also not a good idea to put your RGB mousepad in the washing machine or dishwasher. The high heat and constant immersion in water will damage the electronic parts and the lighting feature of your mousepad will no longer function.
Basically, stick to the rule that any harsh chemicals, abrasive scrubbing materials, or cleaning vessels that require full submersion are not good for cleaning your RGB desk mat. Instead, use simple, gentle materials.
Cleaning An RGB Desk Mat vs Cleaning A Regular Mousepad
When figuring out how to clean a mousemat, you need to consider that there are differences between an RGB mousepad and a regular one.
An RGB mousepad requires special attention when it comes to cleaning because of its electronic components. This is why some cleaning agents and methods are not recommended.
However, regular mousepads can be cleaned using the same steps as illustrated above or via other methods.
You can put most regular mousepads in the washing machine to get clean or fully submerge them in a bucket of soapy water to soak. Doing this for an RGB desk mat could break the lights on your mat, so you absolutely should not submerge it!
There are no electronic parts to be wary of in a regular mousepad so figuring out how to clean a mousemat safely is not quite as difficult.
When To Clean An RGB Desk Mat
Even if you are the cleanest person in the world, your RGB desk mat will inevitably get a little dirty. When you start seeing dirt spots, grease stains from food, or oily fingerprints on your mousepad, it is time to give it a good cleaning. If you spill something on your RGB mousepad, you should clean it up right away to avoid any lasting damage to the desk mat or to the desk itself.
Depending on how often you use your RGB mousepad, you should probably clean it at least two or three times per year. If you use your mousepad every day or almost day, cleaning it once a month will help prevent it from building up grime and keep it sanitary.
Why You Should Clean An RGB Mouse Mat
It may seem like a chore to have to regularly scrub down your RGB desk mat, even if it doesn’t look that dirty. However, by keeping your RGB desk mat clean, you are extending the life of the mouse pad. A clean mousepad will function much longer than a dirty one and will also extend the life of your mouse.
With a clean mousepad, you don’t have to worry about your mouse getting stuck or accumulating dirt and oil. Keeping a clean RGB mousepad is also healthier for you. Your desk mat will have your dirty hands all over it all day, these germs can build up on the surface of the desk mat.
It’s especially important to clean your desk mat after you’ve been sick. This will avoid spreading germs or reinfecting yourself.
There are many benefits to maintaining the cleanliness of your RGB desk mat. Plus it is so easy to do that there should be no reason to ignore this necessary chore.
In Summary
RGB mousepads are unique in that, unlike regular mousepads, they have electronic components for special light features. As such, you need to take care when cleaning your RGB mousepad. With a damp soapy microfiber cloth, you can wipe down the mousepad, avoiding the electrical ports so as not to damage them.
You don’t need any fancy cleaning materials – just avoid abrasive scrubbing cloths and harsh chemicals. You should clean your RGB desk mat regularly or at least when it is noticeably dirty to help extend its life, keep you healthy, and allow for optimum usage with your mouse.
It isn’t hard to keep your RGB mousepad clean, you just have to know the right way to clean it.
