M-001 mouse on a black mousepad with its receiver on the desk

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Hardware tips / M-001

How to Clean and Care for Your M-001 Mouse

A clean mouse tracks better, feels better and lasts longer. A few minutes of care every couple of weeks is all the M-001 needs.

This guide covers the shell, buttons and scroll wheel, the sensor, the battery contacts, the skates and the receiver, plus what to avoid along the way.

At a glance

Weekly: quick wipe of the shell
Every 2 to 4 weeks: full clean, including seams, scroll wheel and sensor
Every battery swap: wipe the contacts with a dry cotton swab
When you replace skates: clean the base before the new set goes on
Straight away: clean the sensor if tracking feels off

What you’ll need

A clean microfiber cloth
Isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher), or mild soap and water
Cotton swabs, ideally ones that don’t shed fibres
A toothpick or soft brush for the scroll wheel
A bright light, such as your phone’s flashlight

Isopropyl alcohol is fine on the M-001, but don’t use it on a glass mousepad. Different surfaces, different rules. Our glass mousepad cleaning guide covers the pad.

Cleaning the shell, buttons and scroll wheel

For the weekly quick wipe, steps 1, 2 and 5 are enough. Every 2 to 4 weeks, do the full routine.

Turn the mouse off. Use the switch on the underside so you don’t send stray clicks or scrolls while you clean.
Wipe the shell. Lightly dampen a microfiber cloth with isopropyl alcohol or soapy water and wipe the whole mouse: the main buttons, the sides where your fingers rest, the rim of the scroll wheel and the base around the skates. Damp is enough. A dripping cloth can push liquid into the seams.
Clean the seams and buttons. Use a cotton swab, dampened but not soaked, to get into the gaps around the main buttons, side buttons and scroll wheel. This is where finger oils build up and make buttons feel sticky.
Clean the scroll wheel. Hold the wheel still and use a toothpick or soft brush to lift out hair, lint and dust. Turn the wheel a quarter turn and repeat until you’ve gone all the way round.
Let it dry. Give the mouse 2 to 3 minutes to air dry before you turn it back on. Even a little moisture left in a seam can cause problems.

Cleaning the sensor

The sensor is the most performance-critical part of the mouse. A single speck of dust on the lens can cause more tracking issues than a dirty mousepad, so this 30-second job pays off.

Turn the mouse off and flip it over. The sensor lens sits in the base, behind the window in the centre.
Inspect it with a bright light. The M-001’s PixArt PAW3950 sensor uses an infrared LED you can’t see, so don’t expect a glowing light. Shine your own light in to spot dust, lint or smears.
Do a dry pass first. Gently roll a clean, dry cotton swab across the lens. No need to press.
Do a damp pass if needed. If marks remain, roll a fresh swab that’s barely moist with isopropyl alcohol across the lens once, then finish with the dry end.
Wait 30 seconds, then test. Turn the mouse back on and move it around. If you had stutter or skipping, it should be noticeably better.

Underside of the M-001 showing the pill-shaped skates, the window over the sensor and the battery slot

Battery and charging dock

The M-001 runs on hot-swappable batteries, so there’s no charging port on the mouse. One battery sits in the mouse while the other charges in the receiver. To swap, flip the mouse over and press down on the top edge of the battery compartment to release it. The charged battery comes out of the dock the same way.

Every time you swap, take ten seconds to wipe the contacts with a dry cotton swab:

Inside the battery slot on the mouse
On the battery itself
In the charging slot on the receiver

Keep isopropyl alcohol and other liquids off the contacts. Clean contacts mean reliable charging and a clean swap every time. Make sure each battery clicks fully into place in both the mouse and the dock.

M-001 battery sliding out of the mouse next to the receiver and its charging dock

Checking and replacing the skates

The M-001 ships with six PTFE pill skates. Skates wear with use, and a worn set changes how the mouse glides and can make it rock on the pad. A set typically lasts 3 to 6 months of competitive use, depending on how much you play and what pad you use.

It’s time for a new set when you see:

Visible thinning or chipped, lifted edges
A gritty sound as the mouse moves
The mouse wobbling or tilting on a flat surface
Tracking issues that don’t go away after cleaning the sensor and pad

When you swap them, peel the old skates off, wipe away any adhesive left on the base with isopropyl alcohol and let it dry before the new set goes on. Press each skate down firmly for 5 to 10 seconds. New skates take an hour or two of use to reach their smoothest.

Replacement pill skates are sold separately. Our guides on when to replace mouse skates and how to replace them go into more detail.

Receiver and carry case

Give the receiver a wipe with a dry microfiber cloth when you clean the mouse, and keep the charging slot free of dust. Keep liquids away from it.

When you travel, pack the mouse and receiver in the carry case. The foam inside holds everything in place and keeps dust off.

M-001 carry case with the mouse, receiver and accessories held in foam

What to avoid

Harsh solvents such as acetone or paint thinner. They can dull or crack the shell finish.
Submerging the mouse. It isn’t waterproof.
Compressed air aimed into the buttons or the sensor. It can push dust deeper instead of out.
Liquid on the battery contacts. A dry swab is safer.
Tissues, paper towels or fluffy swabs on the sensor. They leave fibres behind.
Cleaning with the mouse switched on.

Still not right after cleaning?

Tracking still off: try a different surface to see whether it’s the mouse or the pad, and check the skates for wear.
Scroll wheel skipping or scrolling the wrong way: dust can still reach the encoder. Gently blowing air into the scroll wheel area can clear it. Don’t force it, and keep liquids out.
Mouse rocking on the pad: check that all six skates are present, seated in their recesses and evenly worn.

FAQ

Can I use isopropyl alcohol on my M-001?

Yes. Isopropyl alcohol at 70% or higher is fine on the shell, buttons, base and sensor lens, applied with a cloth or swab. Keep it off the battery contacts and off glass mousepads.

Do I need to open the mouse to clean it?

No. Everything in this guide is done from the outside.

How often should I clean the sensor?

Every 2 to 4 weeks with regular use, straight away if you notice tracking issues, and after long sessions somewhere dusty.

Are spare skates included?

No. The M-001 comes with one set of six PTFE pill skates already fitted. Replacement skates are sold separately.

Need a hand?

Our support team is here if something doesn’t feel right.

Got a K-001 too? Read our K-001 care guide.