How to Clean a Wireless Mouse

Keep Your Cordless Mouse Squeaky Clean

Wireless mouse
cristinairanzo / Getty Images
by Lisa Johnston
A writer and editor who has been covering computer peripherals and other consumer electronics since 2004.
Updated September 28, 2018

As with our keyboards, our computer mice can get pretty cruddy, pretty fast. Keep your wireless mouse in optimal operating shape by regularly cleaning it with just a few simple steps.

The scroll wheel can easily get gummed up with hair, pet fur, and food particles. You may be concerned about germs and dirt on the upper and lower surface of your mouse. You probably want to clean it more frequently if you share it, but you don't want to fritz out your mouse by getting the wrong part of it wet with soap and water.

Your wireless mouse may be an optical mouse that uses an LED light for illumination or a laser mouse that uses a laser. Its function relies on shining that light onto the surface (such as a mousepad) and using a video sensor to detect the movement you make with your hand to move the mouse. Dust and dirt can block the illumination beam and confuse the video sensor.

What You Need to Clean a Cordless Mouse

  • Can of condensed air
  • Cotton swabs
  • Cleaning solution: alcohol is not recommended as it can remove the color from your mouse. Mild dish detergent is suggested by Logitech.
  • Cleaning wipes

How to Clean a Wireless Mouse

Cleaning a wireless mouse is easy and takes about five to ten minutes. Here's how.

  1. If the mouse has an on/off switch, switch it off.

  2. Using a spray can of condensed air, spray in between the scroll wheel and the click buttons if there is a gap there. Do not blow air directly on one spot for very long or condensation can form.

  3. Take a damp cleaning wipe and wipe the body of the mouse.

  4. Be sure to scrub at any stubborn marks and stains on the mouse’s bottom surface pads. The four feet areas at the corners of the bottom surface need particular attention as they are the areas that glide over the surface of your mouse pad and pick up grime.

  5. Lightly dampen a cotton swap with cleaning solution. Use the swab to gently brush out any dust around the laser or LED. Do not wipe the laser or LED directly with the swab. Definitely, do not press into it as you might dislodge it.

  6. Using a dry cotton swab, wipe the area around the laser or LED. Again, avoid touching the laser or LED.

  7. Allow the mouse to fully dry before using it.

Heavy Cleaning - Disassembling and Cleaning a Cordless Mouse

Manufacturers will tell you not to disassemble a mouse to clean it. However, at times, this can be a last resort, especially if you have a lot of dust or pet fur or human hair in your computer area. If you can locate the screws to unfasten the body of the mouse, do so carefully and use compressed air to gently remove debris from inside the mouse. Don't use any liquids or brush any components with cloth or your fingers. Carefully reassemble. This will probably invalidate the warranty on the mouse.