Glass mousepads aim to revolutionize the pad industry. They give your desk a more premium look while also offering a very consistent glide for both gaming and productivity.
They look and feel smooth and solid, but they’re also available in a variety of designs and styles. Plus, they last much longer than traditional cloth pads, not to mention the easy maintenance.
This is when it gets sketchy though. How do you look after glass? Normally, a bit of wiping every now and then will do. But that’s the case if you barely use the pad. In theory, maintenance goes a bit deeper.
Learning how to clean a glass mouse pad will add to its durability, let alone ensuring it looks good and smooth for your daily use. With this thought in mind, here’s everything you have to know.
Daily Maintenance for Your Glass Pad
Like other things, your glass mouse pad will do alright with two forms of maintenance. There are small things that you can do on a daily basis, without too much headache. Sure, they’re not too deep, but they’ll make deeper maintenance easier and more effective.
Wipe your pad on a daily basis. Some people use wet wipes, which aren’t too bad. However, dry wipes are just as useful. In fact, you should initially use a dry microfiber cloth first, before the wet wiping.
The dry cloth will clear dust, fingerprints and potential oils, so it keeps the surface smooth. The wet wipe will also clean stubborn dirt, if any.
Spot checking is another daily cleaning procedure. This isn’t necessarily about maintenance itself, but it helps you determine whether it’s time for a deeper cleaning procedure. Light spots or dirt could usually be cleaned with wet wipes. Stubborn dirt requires extra work.
Pay extra attention to the central area where your mouse sits most of the time, since this zone usually gets glossy or smudged first.
Deep Cleaning for Your Glass Pad
Figuring out how to clean a glass mouse pad isn’t all about the daily operation, but also about deep cleaning. Based on how often you use the pad, you may have to do it weekly or perhaps twice a month. Don’t worry, it won’t take too long. A focused 5-minute session is usually enough to restore that fresh out of the box feel.
First, get a cleaning solution that’s specifically made for glass. You’re wrong if you think any cleaner will do. Some of them can damage or hurt glass, let alone the coating if any. You can also make your own cleaning solution.
Simply get some lukewarm water and add a drop of mild dish soap, then shake until it’s even.
Avoid spraying this cleaner directly onto your glass pad. The water could get into the edges and damage it. Instead, spray it onto a microfiber cloth.
Wipe the glass pad while maintaining the same pressure throughout its entire surface. Don’t press too hard or you could damage it. Instead, keep it gentle and consistent. Wipe the surface a few times until you can no longer see any oils or dirt.
Last, but not least, make sure to dry everything. Use another cloth to dry it. Get a lint-free cloth that won’t leave any residue behind. Besides, a lint-free cloth is the best option to avoid those annoying streaks.
Tips and Tricks
Learning how to clean a glass mouse pad isn’t that difficult. Most of the cleaning procedures are common sense. There are small bits you can do daily, only to ease your job later, when you do a deeper clean. However, there are also a few things to avoid. Here are some useful tips and tricks.
- Stay away from alcohol cleaners. A cleaner based on alcohol is likely to be very strong. Based on the material of the coating, it could get damaged. At the same time, such cleaners are known for leaving residue behind. Just because it looks like everything is clean, it doesn’t mean that it is. You may have to work harder to get rid of the residue as well.
- Avoid abrasive cleaning solutions. This applies to both cleaning solutions and the tools you use. For example, a scouring pad is likely to ruin the coating and scratch your glass pad. A harsh chemical solution won’t really scratch the surface, but it can seriously damage the coating. If you can’t find anything, simply prepare your own cleaning solution based on water and a mild dish soap.
- Don’t use too much water. Water can get into any little hole, edge, crack and so on. That’s why it’s a good idea to use a spray onto a cloth, rather than directly on the mousepad. You only need a bit of moisture. From this point of view, never soak the pad. Pay special attention to the edges because that’s where most issues arise.
In the end, learning how to clean a glass mouse pad doesn’t take much. Simple daily and weekly applications will keep your glass pad in excellent condition. Follow a few simple rules in terms of cleaning solutions, and your pad will retain its smoothness and appearance for many years.
Once you turn it into a habit, you’ll spend less time cleaning overall and enjoy a perfectly smooth surface every day.
The post How to Clean a Glass Mouse Pad Without Streaks or Scratches appeared first on Old School Gamer Magazine.
