This article will show you how to clean your optical mouse. At the bottom of the optical mouse is an LED that records changes in its position. Cleaning your optical mouse at least once a month can help reduce problems such as jamming, signal loss, and sticky buttons.
Steps
Step 1. Prepare everything you need
To clean your optical mouse you will need:
- Cotton swab or microfiber clothto wipe dirt off the mouse. Use a microfiber cloth whenever possible because, unlike a cotton swab, it does not leave fibers behind.
- Rubbing alcohol - for wiping and disinfection. If you do not have rubbing alcohol, use water instead, rather than another cleaning agent.
- Clean, dry rags - to remove dust and moisture.
- Toothpicks - for scrubbing dust and other accumulations from the crevices of the mouse.
- Screwdriver - to open the top of the mouse. Look for more precise disassembly instructions in the owner's manual or the model number on the Internet.
- Tweezers - optional, but can be useful to remove grains of sand from delicate parts of the mouse (for example, from an electronic board).
Step 2. Disconnect the optical mouse from the computer to avoid electric shock if you accidentally touch an electronic part
It will also save the mouse from which short circuits if you suddenly spill something near it.
If the mouse is powered by batteries, remove the battery before proceeding
Step 3. Wipe the mouse with a dry cloth to remove any dust or dirt from the outside of the mouse
If the mouse is sticky or very dusty, dampen a cloth with water.
Step 4. Use a toothpick to sweep all the notches on the mouse body to pick out any dirt that might be causing problems
Go under the buttons with a toothpick to remove any sand from under them that interferes with pressing
Step 5. Flip the mouse over
On the back you will see the following:
- Legs - small rubber pads at the corners or sides of the mouse.
- Sensor - red or green LED, covered with plastic or glass.
Step 6. Clean up any build-up of dirt
Use a toothpick to clean off any dirt that remains after the initial cleaning.
Step 7. Dip a cotton swab or cloth in rubbing alcohol to wipe the dirty parts of the mouse with them
Step 8. Squeeze out excess moisture from a cotton swab or rag
They should not be wet, but only slightly damp.
Step 9. Wipe down dusty or dirty areas including
- mouse legs;
- sides of the mouse;
- any indentations you cleaned with a toothpick.
Step 10. Apply alcohol to a clean cotton swab or a piece of cloth
It is imperative to use a clean surface when moving from one part to another.
Step 11. Gently wipe the mouse sensor
Do not knock on the sensor, but gently wipe it with the tip of a cotton swab or corner of a microfiber cloth. This will remove particles interfering with the displacement sensor.
Step 12. Wait for the alcohol to dry
The rubbing alcohol should evaporate within a couple of minutes. Blot the remainder with a dry cotton swab or microfiber cloth.
Step 13. Remove the top of the mouse
Much depends on the manufacturer of the mouse. On some models, the top can be simply pulled back and removed, while others are bolted on. Check your user manual or search the internet for your model number to learn how to disassemble your mouse.
Step 14. Apply alcohol to a new cotton swab or rag, and then wipe the inside of the buttons
Keratinized skin particles, food debris, dust, hair and more can collect on the inside of the mouse case, so wipe them thoroughly to remove as much dirt as possible.
Step 15. Shake out all unnecessary things from the inside
You will most likely find chunks of hair or small grains of sand in the following areas:
- mouse wheel;
- the top of the electronic board (use tweezers);
- the front of the mouse body.
Step 16. Once everything is dry, put the mouse back together
After five to ten minutes, put the mouse back and examine it again. The mouse will now be completely clean.
Step 17. Clean the mouse pad
No matter how clean the mouse is - if the mat underneath it remains dirty, the mouse will continue to freeze and incorrectly track its movement. Wipe the mouse pad with a damp cloth or roll over it with a cleaning roller to remove hair and dust.
After using the roller, you will likely need to wipe the mat again to remove any sticky residue from it
Advice
- If the buttons on a cheap mouse stop clicking or the motion sensor has deteriorated, consider buying a new mouse.
- Instead of trying to remove a high quality mouse top (such as one from Razer) yourself, take it to a repair shop for repair. The internal construction of expensive mice is much more complex than that of their simpler counterparts.