How to Clean Your Laptop Touchpad? 6 Easy Steps!

We should have been writing about anime for a company drowning in backlogs and missed opportunities. But since Otaku Fantasy is a tech website, too, we need to address this nagging problem every member of our team encounters -- laptop smudge and unresponsive touchpad. 

Most of us eat while working, and we may carelessly smear our touchpads with grease from pizza, fries, or whatever junk you got. This remains the case even if we use an external keyboard and mouse. Sometimes, people just leave it wide open after using it, which is a go signal for all the dirt and bacteria to swim on our laptop panel overnight. If your hands are sweaty, that's another conundrum you'll have to bother yourself with for eternity.

Without further ado, let's discuss this frequent otaku problem -- a dirty touchpad.

The touchpad is one of the most used components on a laptop; over time, it can get quite dirty. No matter how often you wipe them down, they always attract dust and fingerprints. Plus, if you're using your laptop on the go, it can be too easy to accidentally drop crumbs or other debris onto the touchpad. Not only does this affect how your computer looks, but it can also affect how well the touchpad works. 

You don't need to bust your brains to clean your laptop touchpad and keep it looking new. Follow the steps mentioned in this article.

Importance of Cleaning the Touchpad

Keeping the touchpad clean is one of the most crucial things in prolonging your laptop's life. Dirt and grime will build up on the touchpad's surface over time, making it less sensitive and more difficult to use. In addition, a build-up of dirt can cause the fan to work overtime, leading to increased fan noise and reduced battery life. Fortunately, cleaning your touchpad is quick and easy.

Ways to Clean 

There are plenty of ways to dissolve the dirt on your touchpad;.the best way will depend on how dirty it is and what kind of materials you have on hand. 

If your touchpad is mildly dirty, try cleaning it with a damp cloth. Use a soft, lint-free cloth to not damage the touchpad. If the touchpad is very dirty, use a little soap on the fabric to help loosen up the dirt and grime.

If your touchpad is extremely dirty, you may need to resort to stronger cleaning methods. Dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol or vinegar. Only use a small amount of either substance, so you don't damage the touchpad. You can also try using a slightly dampened toothbrush to scrub any stubborn dirt and grime.

Steps to Clean Laptop Touchpad

A laptop touchpad can become grimy from extended use, making it difficult to click and scroll. Fortunately, cleaning a touchpad with just a few household items is easy. Here are the steps to clean your laptop's touchpad:

1. Unplug your laptop from any power source and remove any accessories that are attached to it.
2. Mix equal parts of clean, distilled water and white vinegar in a bowl. Plunge a soft cloth in the mixture and squeeze out the water until it is barely damp.
3. Use your chosen cleaning method to clean the touchpad. Be sure to use gentle pressure, so you don't damage the touchpad.
4. Once the touchpad is clean, rinse the cloth and dry it off. 
5. Finally, buff the touchpad using a dry microfiber cloth to remove any leftover residue.
6. Plug your laptop back in and reattach any accessories that were removed.

You can restore your touchpad to its original condition with these quick steps.

Things to Consider While Cleaning 

When you're cleaning your touchpad, there are a few things you should be wary of to avoid damaging it:

• Use only a tiny amount of cleaning solution. You want to avoid soaking the touchpad or leaving any residue behind.
• Avoid using abrasive materials. These can damage the surface of the touchpad. This includes things like scouring pads and steel wool.
• Be gentle. The touchpad is a delicate component and can be easily damaged if you're not careful.
• Clean your ceiling or whatever is above your workstation in the office or your otaku game room.
• 
  

How to Keep Touchpad in Good Condition

To fix your jumpy touchpad and keep it in good condition, you can do the below steps:

• Cover your touchpad when you're not using your laptop. This practice will help protect it from dirt and debris.
• Avoid using your touchpad while your hands are dirty or wet. Your lack of self-discipline and bad hygiene can transfer dirt and moisture to the touchpad, making cleaning difficult.
• Use a pointing device instead of your finger when possible. This will minimize the amount of wear and tear on the touchpad.
• If you do get something sticky on your touchpad, don't worry. Just power off your laptop, wait a few minutes for the touchpad to cool down, and gently scrape the substance with your fingernail.
• Be careful not to drop or bump your laptop. A fall can damage the touchpad and cause it to stop working properly.
• Keep the touchpad away from strong magnets, which can interfere with its operation.
• If your touchpad starts acting wonky, try restarting your computer. Sometimes that's all it takes to fix the problem.

Conclusion

Cleaning your touchpad is a simple task that can help keep your laptop looking and working its best. So if you bought the latest Macbook Pro M2, don't just take care of it on the first week of purchase. Make a habit of preventing dirt from hovering on your PC. 

With a little care, you can keep your touchpad clean and in good condition for years to come. Be sure to use the appropriate cleaning method for dirtiness and be gentle to avoid damaging the touchpad.