First, you have to know when it's time to clean your mouse. I know from experience that sometimes we think that the computer broke down because it behaves in a strange way and does not listen to our command, the cursor won't listen and run like crazy from one part of the screen to another. We then think it's something serious, only to find out later that the mouse was dirty and everything solved with a" mouse bath". First of all, unplug your computer and disconnect the mouse from the computer. I know it sounds like a stupid advice, but" better safe than sorry". Pay attention at the optical or wireless mice because they have more sensitive parts. You'd better leave them to professionals.

You'll need a number of things before you begin the actual cleaning: cotton swabs, rubbing alcohol, paper and binder clips, the manufacturer's manual, a dry clean cloth, a screwdriver.Read the manufacturer's manual beforehand and follow instructions about cleaning. So you removed the mouse from its port or USB port, then turn it upside-down. If you have a ball mouse, unlock the ball cover ring in the direction of the arrows on its back. If there are no arrows on its back push and then rotate the ring counter clockwise. Take out the plastic ring and the ball, then wipe them gently with the cloth moisten with warm water or liquid used for cleaning windows. Then take a cotton swab with one end dipped into alcohol and remove all the dust and dirt gathered inside the mouse,especially the three rollers inside the mouse case. They are the ones you should wipe thorough.You can also use office tape to remove the dirt from the ball: stick the tape to the ball and then quickly pull it off.

When you have finished cleaning all the parts of the mouse, wipe it carefully with a dry cloth, including the cord that comes out of the mouse and wait until all the parts are dry. Then assemble everything back together and rotate the plastic ring clockwise now. Plug the mouse back in its port and turn the computer on: the mouse should work just fine. By the way: when you clean the inside of the mouse you must pay special attention to the fine wires in order not to damage them and thus to compromise its functionality. After everything is finished and you want to test the mouse to see if it is working properly, make sure that the mouse pad is clean and it is placed on a flat surface. This whole operation is very simple and easy to make and should take you only ten minutes to complete. However, it is very important when it is done at the right time and with enough care; it helps your computer to work properly again and you can have the same speed in gaming as before.

I am very fond of my computer and I take good care of it. So I gathered some hints from my friends about how to maintain a mouse working properly for a long time and not damage it very often: pay attention not to spill any liquids on your mouse or else this could be fatal for it;  take the mouse of of the computer circuit when you clean it(this is also a good rule for all electrical devices); be careful with the type of cleaning solvents you use because some people can have a strong allergic reaction to them-it's better to use warm water or very diluted solvents; when cleaning your mouse be careful not to touch and take some knobs and controls from their place-even if they are small they have their role in the good functioning of every device; never eat or drink around the computer and try to avoid smoking in the computer area. Although many companies have created a lot of special tools used for computer and peripherals maintenance, you may use household items when you clean a mouse, because this is not a very complicated operation. A cotton smooth cloth is the best tool when moisturized in warm water or alcohol. Try to avoid synthetic materials because they do not clean dirt so well and sometimes they cause electrostatic energy.

Cotton swabs are the best tools when you have to clean very narrow areas, like the internal parts of the mouse. Another good tip is to wipe the mouse pad, too using a moist cotton cloth, because it is no use to clean your mouse if the mouse pad is still dirty. It is true that nowadays ball mice seem obsolete, but you can also clean your wireless or optical mouse; you just have to be careful not to touch or misplace any of its components. But I think that it is better to keep the computer area clean, to avoid eating and drinking around it because accidents do happen and it's better to take the necessary precautions than to repair the damage afterwards. Even if nowadays computer mice are quite cheap to achieve, it's better to take care of our possessions, including the computer and all peripherals.

That says a lot about somebody's character and personality. The first common sense advice would be to always wash your hands before and after using a computer and a computer mouse. In this way you avoid them from getting dirty but you also avoid your own deterioration of health, because a dirty mouse is a good environment for germs and all kinds of bacteria, not to mention the moments when you eat in front of the computer  In conclusion it's not rocket science to clean a computer mouse, but you should do it carefully and you'll be the one with the most gain.