How To Clean Apple's Mighty Mouse without Disassembly Home Hacks

Nothing's more frustrating than not being able to use the scroll wheel on Apple's Mighty Mouse (now just the Apple Mouse). While Apple recommends a lint-free cloth and water, it doesn't work in many cases, so here are two options that don't require disassembly.

Option #1: Using Paper

Materials:

A clean Sheet of Paper

1. Create the Cleaning Surface
After unplugging your mouse or removing the batteries (just in case), place the sheet of paper on a cushioned surface (such as a book).

2. Clean the Ball
Hold your mouse upside down and drag the ball with slight pressure (still letting it rotate) across the paper. You'll see the gunk come off as you do this. Once residue ceases to come off the ball, it should work better.

Additional notes: This removes some grit and grime, but in my experience the roller ball still does not function at 100%.

Option #2: Using Tape

Materials:

High quality Scotch Tape
Utility knife or scissors

1. Cut the Tape
Cut a 3" piece of clear scotch tape to about 1/8" in width with a utility knife.

2. Feed the Tape
After unplugging your mouse and removing the batteries (just in case), begin to feed the tape (sticky side up) below the ball. This is tricky, but once the tape grabs hold of the ball all you need to do is apply slight pressure while rolling the ball away from the tape so that it takes. Using pressure and patience, eventually the tape will emerge from the other side. Use your finger nail or utility knife to unstick the tape from the ball so you can feed it all the way through.

3. Buff the Ball
Gently tug the tape back and fourth, buffing the underside of the ball. Repeat until the ball is clean all the way around.

Additional notes: This is a satisfying and effective cleaning method.

Source: Brendanfenn

When All Else Fails ...

If the above measures fail, you may have to resort to disassembly. This method is not for the faint of heart. While I won't cover this method in this how-to, below is a video guide via Youtube:

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Comments (9)

the upside down roll on paper is the best. I came across this on my own and most websites didn't seem to touch on it. I constantly suggest it to friends and they are amazed at the outcome.

Believe me, after owning *several* Mighty Mouses and having the scroll wheel fail repeatedly, the best advice I can give is to make sure you keep your receipt and return it for a new one before the warranty is up. I've tried everything - taking it apart (really bad idea), rolling it upside down on a mousemat (temporary fix), cleaning with paper towel and alcohol (works just ok), sticky tape, etc. etc. What worked for me best out of all solutions was using a toothbrush, inserting the bristles to clean the rollers inside the hole combined with alcohol, paper towels and dusters. Not worth the effort since it just fails again later.

I love the Mighty Mouse, but it is just simply flawed. Keep your receipt and return it for a new one when it starts to go bad. I've had to do this several times already.

Compressed air canister dusters, I meant to say above...

Just successfully cleaned my Mighty Mouse. This is my way. Just put a bit of water on the ball, then spun it around also side to side, every which way, then spun the ball with a lint-free cloth the same way as with the water to dry it, still not consistent so I slowly moved the ball in every direction, scraping it lightly with my fingernail as I went along (next time I will check it out with a bright light magnifying glass to see if there is any visible buildup on the ball). That was the cure, probably took at lease 5-10 min, works better than ever, at least for 2 days so far. Just my experience.

Another way is with an alcohol wipe where you rub the mouse upside down just like the paper trick in the first option.

I've tried all of the low-tech ways, without success, so I was game to take it apart and see what I could do...

The method in the video worked like a charm. It's not for the faint of heart, though! And you will need some sort of glue to put the thing back together at the end (I used model glue that's meant for plastic).

thanks for the helpful post!

The paper method works but even better is to replace the paper with the leg of a pair of jeans. Thanks. My mouse is now squeaky clean.

I use glasses swipes (get these in a drugstore), alternatively alcohol on tissue and wipe the ball with it.

YES. I've been suffering with a non functional scroll wheel at work for months. Just fixed it with the paper rolling method.