How to Clean Gunk Off of an Optical Computer Mouse
Grab all needed things., Take your mouse off of the mouse pad (if present) and unplug it from the computer. , Turn your mouse over, so the bottom is facing up. , Dip a cotton swab/Q-tip into rubbing alcohol, to clean each of the mouse's little...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Grab all needed things.
Keep these items nearby. -
Step 2: Take your mouse off of the mouse pad (if present) and unplug it from the computer.
,, You'll see how there are (or should be) thin, rubbery feet on the mouse.
These rubbery feet collect dirt and dust over a few days/weeks of use time. , Try to keep to the advice to always use 1 new toothpick for every "foot" of the mouse.
Be very careful.
If you need to, have someone else hold a magnifying glass above the rubbery foot, while you clean the foot with the toothpick.
Remember that the tip of the foot will also have dirt and dust, so check there as the most-important portion of this process. , Make sure to get into the groove of this eye, but do not press too hard or rub on this eye too much, as this will scratch the eye, and cause the shield to shatter over-time.
A few light swipes every few weeks will effectively clean this mouse, and keep it working for it's working time. ,,, Do not press too hard, as pieces of the wooden toothpick will shatter, and cause the mouse to falter to an early death. , Wipe from left to right. ,,,, Rub the cord from the mouse all the way towards the cord's end that should be connected to either the computer's mouse port, technically called a "PS/2 socket"
or one of the computer's USB ports.
If the mouse is a USB model (most newer ones are), it does not matter which USB port it is connected to. -
Step 3: Turn your mouse over
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Step 4: so the bottom is facing up.
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Step 5: Dip a cotton swab/Q-tip into rubbing alcohol
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Step 6: to clean each of the mouse's little "feet".
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Step 7: Use a toothpick to clean the area around these rubber feet.
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Step 8: Clean the center "eye" of the mouse with another cotton-swab/Q-tip.
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Step 9: Use a cotton-like (like Kimberly-Clark 's Viva) paper towel
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Step 10: soaked in water to clean the rest of the bottom of the mouse.
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Step 11: Use a hair dryer to dry the bottom of the mouse.
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Step 12: Take another toothpick and clean the groove in between the two/three mouse buttons.
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Step 13: Clean the mouse-wheel using toothpicks around the edges
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Step 14: along with the exterior of the mouse-wheel itself.
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Step 15: Place the mouse to the side.
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Step 16: Clean the mouse pad with another paper towel and water (if a mouse pad is currently present).
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Step 17: Return the mouse to it's normal position on the mouse pad.
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Step 18: Take a wet cloth with a little bit of rubbing alcohol and clean the cord (if a cord is present).
Detailed Guide
Keep these items nearby.
,, You'll see how there are (or should be) thin, rubbery feet on the mouse.
These rubbery feet collect dirt and dust over a few days/weeks of use time. , Try to keep to the advice to always use 1 new toothpick for every "foot" of the mouse.
Be very careful.
If you need to, have someone else hold a magnifying glass above the rubbery foot, while you clean the foot with the toothpick.
Remember that the tip of the foot will also have dirt and dust, so check there as the most-important portion of this process. , Make sure to get into the groove of this eye, but do not press too hard or rub on this eye too much, as this will scratch the eye, and cause the shield to shatter over-time.
A few light swipes every few weeks will effectively clean this mouse, and keep it working for it's working time. ,,, Do not press too hard, as pieces of the wooden toothpick will shatter, and cause the mouse to falter to an early death. , Wipe from left to right. ,,,, Rub the cord from the mouse all the way towards the cord's end that should be connected to either the computer's mouse port, technically called a "PS/2 socket"
or one of the computer's USB ports.
If the mouse is a USB model (most newer ones are), it does not matter which USB port it is connected to.
About the Author
Isabella Palmer
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in cooking and beyond.
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