How to Clean an Apple Mouse: Magic Mouse and Mighty Mouse
Apple mice pick up fingerprints, grime and sometimes a stuck scroll. In 2007 we collected tips to clean the Mighty Mouse, the white Apple mouse with the tiny scroll ball that famously clogged. The Mighty Mouse is long discontinued, but plenty are still in use, and today’s Magic Mouse needs cleaning too. Here’s how to clean an Apple mouse safely.
Quick answer: Turn the mouse off or unplug it, then wipe it with a soft, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with water. Apple says 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes can be used on hard, non-porous surfaces of its products. Avoid sprays, bleach and getting moisture in openings. For a Mighty Mouse with a stuck scroll ball, turn it upside down and roll the ball firmly on a clean cloth or paper.
Table of Contents
How to clean an Apple mouse (Magic Mouse)
- Switch the mouse off (switch on the bottom) or unplug it.
- Wipe the top and sides with a soft, lint-free cloth lightly moistened with water.
- For disinfecting, gently wipe hard surfaces with a 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe, as Apple’s cleaning guidance allows.
- Clean the bottom rails and sensor window with a dry cloth or cotton swab; dirty rails make the mouse drag.
- Let it dry fully before switching it back on.
Don’t spray liquid directly on the mouse, use abrasive cleaners or soak it.
How to clean an Apple Mighty Mouse scroll ball
- Roll it clean: hold the mouse upside down and roll the scroll ball in circles against a clean cloth or sheet of paper for about a minute. Don’t press too hard.
- Tape trick: some users loop a thin strip of clear tape gently under the ball to lift dirt.
- Compressed air: a short burst around the ball can dislodge dust.
- Opening the mouse: guides exist for prying it open to clean the rollers, but this can break the shell and isn’t recommended unless the mouse is otherwise useless.
If the scroll still sticks, the mechanism may be worn; it may be time for a new mouse.
Keep your mouse clean longer
- Wash or sanitise your hands before long work sessions.
- Clean your mouse pad or desk surface regularly.
- Avoid eating over your keyboard and mouse.
Using an Apple mouse on a PC? See how to use an Apple Magic Mouse on Windows.
FAQ
Can I use alcohol to clean my Magic Mouse?
Yes, Apple says 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes are fine on hard, non-porous surfaces. Avoid getting moisture in openings.
Why does my Magic Mouse drag on the desk?
Dirt on the bottom rails or a rough surface. Clean the rails and use a smooth mouse pad.
Is the Mighty Mouse still sold?
No, Apple replaced it with the Magic Mouse in 2009.
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I just sprayed WD40 (a single spray) waited for 10mins, and did the tip I read on this site – (move your mouse in a circular motion with the scroll ball against the cloth for about a minute)
It worked!!! dunno for how long though
Gasp! Does the 3rd button still work too?
The third middle click button also works
There is only one way to clean properly the mouse. 1. remove with a sharp tool a white plastic ring around mouse-underneath.Slowly- using a little force (it is stick in a few drops of glue around it). once u removed white ring remove the next one -egg shape ring-arround the floor of the mouse.-usually it is of a light grey color. Then you will see two white pins on the left and right side inside the mouse that are holding the whole inside floor of the mouse. force gently to the right and left the body of the mouse so that you can remove the whole inside from those two pins.(the same way put it back on later on-do not brake the pins-be patient. Now. the scrolling ball is set in black plastic holder (3 screws) unscrew them. then u will see the scrolling bowl set in white plastic holder which is clicked in (on the sides in 2 points. this is the most difficult part now -remove gentle the top plastic cover gently with some little screwdriver and the ball will fell off with 4 plastic pins(pins with black magnets at the front Magnets is the front of the pin!). those pin sit on base on a proper seats laying down horizontally around like a fence. to create magnetic field. take and clean them all and the ball and the plastic base so the whole mechanism is clean (usually micro hair and dirt around is found. That dirt stopping mouse to work properly. I did it all on my own taking the risk. I did it in 20 minutes. Good luck. My mouse in like new again. thank you
put back on in the magnetic stics then a ball which seat aroound them in the middle. then click back on the white plastick cover over the ball . then screw back on the the devise with 3 screws . Click back on the floor of the moue the same way as you took it off and then gray and white rings. White ring will not hold on anymore use a littlbit of super glue to hold it. it is just decorative white ring.
This is a correction for my previous unclear instruction. hopfully this instruction is more clear.
There is only one way to clean properly the mouse. 1. remove with a sharp tool a white plastic ring around mouse-underneath(around the edge.Slowly- using a little force (it is only glued with a few drops of glue). once you removed white ring you can now remove the next one -egg shape ring-around the floor of the mouse.-usually it is of a light gray color. Then you will see two white pins on the left and right side inside the mouse that are holding the whole inside floor of the mouse. Gently remove bu bending to the right and left the body of the mouse so that you can remove the whole inside from those two pins.(the same way put it back on later on)-Do not brake the pins-be patient. Now. The scrolling ball is set under black plastic holder (screwed with 3 screws) unscrew them now. then u will see the scrolling bowl set in white plastic square tiny basket with a square plastic lid which is clicked in (on the sides in 2 points). this is the most difficult part now -remove gentle the top plastic cover with some little tiny screwdriver and the ball will fell off with 4 plastic pins(pins with black magnets at the front Magnets is the front of the pin!pins are around 4 mm long. (they look like a micro weights with one side weight missing. these pins sit on base laying down horizontally around like a fence. take and clean them all and the ball and the plastic base so the whole scrolling micro mechanism is clean (usually micro hair and dirt around is found). That dirt stopping mouse to work properly.
Put back on in the magnetic sticks clockwise then set scrolling ball in the middle of those sticks in the basket as it was before removal. then click back on the white plastic cover over the ball . then screw back on the the devise with 3 screws . Then gently slide back into the white pins (on the sides of the body) the floor of the mouse the same way as you took it off and then gray and a white ring. White ring will not hold anymore-use a little bit of super glue to hold it. it is just decorative white ring that hold the cable in a proper place.
I did it all on my own taking the risk. I did it in 20 minutes. Good luck. My mouse in like new again. thank you
the tape thing was a little tricky but it worked
I came up with a new way to clean the scroll wheel without breaking open the mouse. Worked for me when nothing else did.
Tried everything Apple suggested – still no scrolling – then used Chris Jones instructions. Works perfectly again. It is a bit fiddly but not impossible even with three thumbs on each hand. And you wouldn’t believe the crud that was in there. Christmas cake, hair, biscuits, dandruff, nose parts….
I thought my mouse was dead for good. It had stopped scrolling before, but nothing a little upside-down scrolling couldn’t fix. Nothing I tried would fix it this time.
Turns out I only needed to scroll my mouse upside down for a LONG time, about 5 minutes. Works like new now :) Be patient!
Held it upside down and rolled it for about a minute and got on my scrolling back. Thanks!
Did the simple apple instructions.. worked like a charm. Thanks for the great tips
I tried following the link at the bottom of this post to the ‘dismantling’ page and I created my own photo-tutorial on how to get inside and sort it out.
Once I’d seen inside, it was no surprise that me covering the ball with alcohol was doing no good…
Tutorial here: https://www.linklink.co.uk/apple-computers/cleaning-inside-and-dismantling-the-apple-mighty-mouse/