How to Clean the Mouse on Your Computer

Rubber that rubs off a mouse's ball onto its rollers and dust rolled in from the mouse pad needs to be removed periodically.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Computer Mice
• Cotton Swabs
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Cotton Swabs
• Rubbing Alcohol
• Paper And Binder Clips

1. Check your owner's manual. If the manufacturer has provided specific instructions, follow them.

2. Shut down your computer.

3. Disconnect the mouse from the PS2 or serial port.

4. 

   Turn the mouse upside down.

5. Unlock the ball-cover ring by turning it in the direction shown by arrow icons in the plastic. If the mouse has no arrows, push and turn counterclockwise.

6. 

   Remove the ring and ball.

7. Rinse the ball with warm water.

8. 

   Use a cotton swab covered with isopropyl alcohol to remove all dust.

9. 

   Carefully scrape the three rollers with a paper clip to remove rubber.

10. Clean rollers with a swab dipped in alcohol.

11. Reassemble mouse when all the parts are dry.

12. Reconnect the mouse to your computer.

Tips & Warnings

• Repeat whenever the mouse stumbles or appears to be slower, or if you find much rubber on your mouse pad.

[apere13]

on 4/3/2009 1st: My Mouse doesn't have a ball.... 2nd: what exactly IS a mouse?... do i even really NEED one, yet need to clean one?

on 6/11/2007 Use an after shave lotion as a substitute for cleaning alcohol if you don't have alcohol handy!

on 6/11/2007 I use pre-moistened anti-sattic cleaning wipes and a pair of tweezers. Makes my mouse work like new

on 11/22/2005 Try using a rolled piece of tape to lift the dirt from the mouse's rollers.