How To Clean Desk Mat
Since working every day is an inevitable part of everyone’s routine, the most used item of your workspace is a desk mat. While most desk pads are reasonably durable, they tend to get dirty with daily use.
Often ignoring the dirty mat decrease the life of your spread while posing a primary hygiene threat. Dirt, dust, hand grease, spilled coffee, snacks, food remains, etc., your desk mat goes through a lot!
Give your desk spread a thorough cleaning to bring it back to life so you can work in a clean setup that automatically increases your productivity.
Is A Desk Mat Necessary?
Most working individuals prefer to own a desk mat to keep their desks clean, professional, and clutter-free. However, many do not consider using a desk mat, but we highly recommend using one for multiple reasons.
Apart from the apparent looks, a desk mat protects your desk’s surface from any damage.
You might not want to ruin your pure mahogany wood table surface with coffee stains, pen depressions, scratches, and thus to keep the table looking new and shiny, one should consider investing in a desk mat.
A desk mat also creates a sense of professionalism, sets the mood, and turns any standard desk into a work desk, further boosting efficiency and productivity.
These mats also work as a mouse pad, so you don’t have to clutter your table with additional fabrics and equipment.
People who often work for long hours complain about wrist or hand pain, and a desk spread with additional wrist support easily tackles this issue.
Lastly, these desk mats have an even smooth surface that is excellent for professionals who constantly write notes or sign documents. Thus, placing a high-quality, rugged desk mat is essential in a home office workspace.
How Long Can A Desk Mat Last
The longevity of a desk mat depends on its quality and the use of its owners. But on average, mats are designed and manufactured to last anywhere around 1 to 2 years.
Depending on the mat’s material, you may even start seeing the damage within a few months. Most pads show signs of wear by forming a depression or simply disintegrating in the high-use zones.
How To Clean A Desk Mat
If you are unsure about the material and its resistance, we highly recommend hand washing to clean the mat without damaging the inner or outer layer.
- Dusting: Pick your mat and place it in an open space. Take a dry brush and start dusting it off to remove the top layer of the dust.
- Soaking: If your mat is exceptionally grimy, we recommend soaking it in warm water for a few hours. Soaking works exceptionally well if you have a felt or cloth-based desk pad.
- Scrubbing: After the soak, remove your mat and start scrubbing with a soft brush. You can opt for a mild cleaner to help get rid of dirt and germs. Lastly, don’t forget to brush it in all directions to clean thoroughly and repeat the same steps if necessary.
- Drying: Rinse the pad and let it drip dry for 20 minutes. Later you can spread it anywhere to air dry. Rubber mats dry up quickly, but you might want to keep the felt pads for a day or two.
Can We Machine Wash The Mat?
Machine wash is an excellent option if you do not want to wash your desk mat with your hands. However, don’t forget to check the company’s manual if your model isn’t recommended for machine wash.
Once you are sure, toss the mat in the washer and add a dash of soap. Always remember to run your washer on a cold water setting, or it could melt the rubber.
The final step is to set it for a low tumble spin and air dry to avoid any heat in the dryer.
Removing Dye Or Ink Stains
You won’t get rid of any ink or dye stains with basic washing. To make the desk mat stain-free consider opting for a spot treatment before you begin your washing.
Pour isopropyl alcohol on a non-abrasive white cloth and rub the stain in a circular motion. Do not spread or move the fabric everywhere, as your goal is to work on that tiny spot-stained area.
You can repeat the rubbing process till you get rid of the strain. Lastly, always remember that excessive rubbing or too much isopropyl alcohol can ruin your mat.
How Do you Clean Leather Desk Mats?
Leather desk mats require a little care to keep the product in its prime for a long time. We do not suggest using harsh cleaning agents or chemicals to wash the pad. Instead, try using a damp cloth dipped in warm water.
Highly avoid scrubbing as it can ruin the outer layer. After cleaning with water, seal the mat with a natural oil like olive oil or other oils made for leather conditioning.
This process of sealing keeps the leather from drying out or cracking.
Conclusion
Congratulations on restoring your desk mat’s former glory! Feel free to use whichever cleaning method suits you the best to give optimum results.
Most synthetic pads are more rugged than leather, so you should take good care of your leather mat. Lastly, try to use an antibacterial wipe frequently to keep the debris and germs away.
Constant wiping will also make your mat less dirty and reduce wash cycles, thus increasing its longevity!
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