How to Clean Your Desk Mat or Mousepad
Specter Labs care guide · Updated November 2, 2026
Wash your Specter Labs cloth desk mat or mousepad with mild soap and cool water, then let it dry flat. Smaller pads may fit in a washing machine; larger mats are usually easier to wash by hand. Either way, clean gently to protect the woven surface.
Looking for a different fit? Check the mousepad size chart, then choose a custom mousepad or deskmat for your setup.
Hand wash: max. 32°C / about 90°F.
No hanging. No tumble drying.
Machine or hand wash?
You can wash our cloth mats by hand or in a machine. Use a machine only if the pad can stay unfolded throughout the entire cycle.
S–XL: machine wash if it fits
For smaller pads, choose a cold, delicate cycle. Check that the drum has enough room for the mat to stay unfolded.
See machine-washing steps ↓XXL–XXXL: hand wash preferred
Wash larger mats by hand. Forcing them into a machine can leave creases, especially in thicker pads.
See hand-washing steps ↓If you have to fold or force the pad into the drum, wash it by hand. Go by the space in your machine as well as the size label.
Gather your supplies
- Mild detergent or dish soap.
- Cold to lukewarm water.
- A microfiber cloth, soft towel, soft sponge, or soft-bristle brush.
- A clean absorbent towel or paper towels, plus a flat drying surface, preferably a rack.
Machine wash: cold and delicate
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Check the fit.
The pad must stay unfolded throughout the wash. If there is not enough room, wash it by hand. -
Presoak if it is badly soiled.
Soak the pad in lukewarm water with a little dish soap to loosen heavy dirt. Keep the water no hotter than 32°C / about 90°F, and rinse out the dish soap before putting the pad in the washer. -
Choose the gentle settings.
Use the delicate cycle, cold water, and mild laundry detergent. Do not add fabric softener, chlorine bleach, or detergent that claims to whiten fabrics. -
Blot and air-dry flat.
Lay the washed pad flat and absorb excess water with a towel. Allow a couple of hours for air-drying, or longer if it still feels damp. Wait until it is completely dry before using it. Do not tumble dry.
Hand wash: soak first, clean gently
We recommend hand washing for XXL–XXXL mats. You can use it for smaller pads too. A sink, tub, or basin should be large enough to hold the mat without forcing it into folds.
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Prepare cool or lukewarm water.
Add a little mild detergent or dish soap. Keep the water between cold and lukewarm, no hotter than 32°C / about 90°F. -
Soak for about 40 minutes.
Leave the pad in the soapy water to loosen dirt and oils before you start cleaning. -
Clean the surface.
Gently wipe the cloth surface with a microfiber cloth, soft towel, sponge, or soft-bristle brush. Do not use hard-bristle brushes or scrub aggressively. Avoid chlorine bleach and detergents that claim to whiten fabrics. -
Rinse out the soap.
Use clean, cool water to rinse away loosened dirt and detergent until no soap remains. -
Absorb the water, then dry flat.
Press a regular towel or paper towels gently against the mat to absorb moisture. Keep the pad flat while it air-dries; do not hang it.
Let the mat dry flat
Lay flat. Blot. Air-dry.
After washing, blot up excess water with a towel. Lay the mat on a flat surface, preferably a rack that supports the whole pad, and allow a couple of hours to air-dry. A damp mat needs more time.
Never tumble dry or hang the mat. Hanging a wet pad can deform the rubber backing and cause the corners to curl. Let it dry completely before putting it back on your desk.
Treating a stubborn stain
For a stain that remains after washing, use an oxygen-based stain remover suitable for colored fabrics. An oxygen-based Clorox stain remover can treat the stain without damaging the print or fabric when used as directed. Keep mild soap for routine washing.
Check the formula and follow the label. Clorox also sells chlorine bleach and whitening products, which you should not use on the mat. Follow the label’s directions for a colorfastness test on a small, inconspicuous area first. Clorox explains its oxygen-based, color-safe formulas here.
Protect the cloth surface
Our mats are sublimation printed with durable, UV-resistant, CPSIA-compliant inks. The image and colors are permanent and designed not to fade with time or washing when cared for as directed.
Hard scrubbing can fray the fine threads of the cloth surface. Soak first to loosen the dirt, then wipe gently with a soft cloth, sponge, or brush.
Avoid these common mistakes
- Forcing a large or thick mat into the washing machine.
- Fabric softeners, chlorine bleach, and whitening detergents.
- Hard-bristle brushes and heavy scrubbing.
- Tumble drying or hanging a wet mat.
A quick check once a month
Check the cloth in front of your keyboard and under your mouse. Lightly draw a fingernail across a small area. If it leaves visible white tracks in the buildup, it is time for a wash. Use a light touch; do not dig into the fabric.
Hand oils left to build up can gradually degrade the rubber backing and contribute to curling edges. Washing removes those oils as well as visible dirt.
See the washing steps on video
You can watch the washing process in Rocket Jump Ninja’s mousepad-cleaning video.
Follow our flat-drying instructions after washing. The creator hangs the pad near the end of the video. Hanging can deform the rubber backing and curl the corners, so lay your Specter Labs mat flat, preferably on a supporting rack. Use the washing method recommended for your size above.
Unsure how to treat a stain or wash your size of mat? Contact Specter Labs for care advice.
