How to Clean Gunk Off of an Optical Computer Mouse

Keep your optical mouse clean and working smoothly with this simple guide

Co-authored by Jeremy Mercer and Nicole Levine, MFA

Last Updated: November 11, 2022 Tested

This wikiHow teaches you how to properly and safely clean your optical mouse. An optical mouse has a light on the bottom that senses changes in its position. Cleaning your optical mouse at least once per month can mitigate problems like inconsistent scrolling, stuttering, failure to track, and clicking issues.

Steps

1
Gather your equipment. To clean your optical mouse, you will need the following items:
- A microfiber cloth or cotton swab - For cleaning gunk off of the mouse. A lint-free microfiber cloth, such as one meant for cleaning screens or eyeglasses, won't leave behind fibers like paper towels and other materials. You can use a cotton swab (such as a Q-tip) for smaller areas.
- 70% Isopropyl alcohol (at least 70%) - For cleaning and sanitizing.^{[1]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  Microsoft Support
  Technical support and product information from Microsoft.
  Go to source} If your isopropyl alcohol is stronger than 70%, dilute it with water, or use a mild dish detergent (for disinfecting) and/or water (for general cleaning). Don't use a cleaning agent that contains ammonia (e.g., Windex), as it can harm your mouse.^{[2]
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  Research source}
- Clean, dry, lint-free rags - For dusting and drying.
- Toothpicks - For cleaning out the dust and other matter in the crevices around your mouse.
- Screwdriver (optional) - To open your mouse's top, if it's removable. Check your mouse's manual or model number online for specific disassembly requirements.
- Tweezers (optional) - Optional, but helpful if you want to remove specific pieces of grit from sensitive places (e.g., the mouse's circuit board).
2
Unplug your optical mouse from your computer. This will prevent the mouse from shocking you if you accidentally touch an electrical component, and it will also prevent the mouse from shorting out if you spill liquid near it.
- If your mouse is wireless, switch it off and remove the batteries (if removable).
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3
Wipe the whole mouse down with a dry cloth. This is just to remove any excess dust or grime from the mouse's exterior. You can also dampen the cloth with a dash of alcohol if your mouse is sticky or exceptionally dusty.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Jeremy Mercer
Computer Specialist
Expert Interview. 26 July 2019.}
4
Run a toothpick around any crevices in the mouse's body. Doing so will pry out any grime that might be causing problems.
- For example, running the toothpick beneath the buttons will potentially remove grit that prevents the buttons from depressing the whole way.
5
Flip the mouse over. You should see the following things:
- Feet - Little rubber or plastic pads in the corners or sides of the mouse's underside.
- Sensor - A red or green light covered in plastic or glass.
6
Chip away any residue. Using a toothpick, pry up anything that your initial wipe didn't get rid of.
7
Dip your cotton swab or cloth in isopropyl alcohol. You'll use this to wipe down the dirty parts of your mouse.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Jeremy Mercer
Computer Specialist
Expert Interview. 26 July 2019.}
8
Wring any excess alcohol out of your Q-tip or cloth. Your cleaning tool of choice should be lightly damp, but not dripping.
- It's very important to make sure the swab or cloth is not too wet—getting liquid inside of your optical mouse could damage its internal components.
9
Dab any dusty or grimy areas. Pay close attention to the following areas:^{[5]
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Jeremy Mercer
Computer Specialist
Expert Interview. 26 July 2019.}
- The mouse's feet
- The sides of the mouse
- Any crevices that you cleaned with a toothpick
- If your mouse has a scroll wheel on top, gunk could also get on that wheel.
10
Apply alcohol to a clean Q-tip or section of cloth. It's extremely important to use a clean surface whenever moving from one component to another.
11
Gently swab the mouse's sensor. Don't jab the sensor—instead, brush it with the tip of the Q-tip or a corner of the microfiber cloth. This will wash away any residue or particles that interfere with the mouse's tracking.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Jeremy Mercer
Computer Specialist
Expert Interview. 26 July 2019.}
12
Let the alcohol dry. Isopropyl alcohol shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes to finish evaporating. If it does, you can use a dry Q-tip or microfiber cloth to pat away the excess.
13
Remove the top of the mouse. If your mouse is especially dirty and you're able to do so, you can also clean its internal components. This process will vary depending on your mouse's manufacturer; some mice have a top that simply pulls up and away, while others require the removal of a screw. Check your mouse's manual or model number online to see exactly how to disassemble it.
14
Apply alcohol to a fresh Q-tip or cloth, then wipe down the inside of the buttons. The inside of the top of the mouse can easily gather skin cells, residue from food, dust, hair, and much more, so give these buttons a good cleaning to clear out as much gunk as possible.
15
Remove any foreign matter from the internals. You'll often find hair or small specks of grit in the following places:
- The mouse wheel
- The top of the circuit board (use tweezers for this)
- the front of the mouse's body
16
Reassemble your mouse once everything is dry. Five to ten minutes after wiping everything down, put your mouse back together and give it a final inspection. It should be completely clean by now.
17
Clean your mouse pad. It doesn't matter how clean your mouse is—if your mouse pad is dirty, you'll have inconsistent performance and uneven tracking from your mouse. You can clean your mouse pad by wiping it down with a wet rag, or you can use a lint brush or roller to remove hair and dust.
- If you do use a lint roller, you'll likely have to wipe down the mouse pad afterward to prevent sticky residue from forming.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How do you disinfect a computer mouse?

Jeremy Mercer
Computer Repair Technician
Jeremy Mercer is the Manager and Head Technician at MacPro-LA in Los Angeles, CA. He has over ten years of experience working in electronics repair, as well as retail stores that specialize in both Mac and PC.

Jeremy Mercer

Computer Repair Technician

Expert Answer

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You really only want to use 99% alcohol. If you use anything more potent than that, you may damage your mouse.
Question

How often should I clean an optical mouse?

Jeremy Mercer
Computer Repair Technician
Jeremy Mercer is the Manager and Head Technician at MacPro-LA in Los Angeles, CA. He has over ten years of experience working in electronics repair, as well as retail stores that specialize in both Mac and PC.

Jeremy Mercer

Computer Repair Technician

Expert Answer

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You really don't want to overdo it with the cleaning. Most optical mice can be pretty sensitive, so you don't want to fiddle with it too much when it comes to cleaning and you definitely don't want to overdo it.
Question

Can I clean the sensor on the mouse with a toothpick?

Jeremy Mercer
Computer Repair Technician
Jeremy Mercer is the Manager and Head Technician at MacPro-LA in Los Angeles, CA. He has over ten years of experience working in electronics repair, as well as retail stores that specialize in both Mac and PC.

Jeremy Mercer

Computer Repair Technician

Expert Answer

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You may be able to pull that off, but I wouldn't recommend it. I'd go with something softer, like a cotton swab. The sensor is pretty fragile and you don't want to jab it with anything sharp.

Warnings

Be careful when using any kind of liquid, including isopropyl alcohol, around the mouse. Getting excess liquid on the mouse will harm it.

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