My Logitech G502 X Plus was completely soaked when my cat knocked over a cup of Malibu and orange juice. The mouse still works, but all of the buttons are sticking from the sugary liquid. I bought it only about a month ago, so I want to repair it rather than replace it. How should I safely open and clean the inside, and is isopropyl alcohol the right thing to use?
3 Answers
Take the mouse apart carefully and disconnect or remove the battery before cleaning anything. Photograph each stage and keep the screws in small containers so they do not get lost. Wash the plastic shell separately with warm water and a little mild soap, then rinse and let it dry completely. For the electronics, remove the sugary residue carefully with distilled water or high-percentage isopropyl alcohol, using a lightly dampened microfiber cloth or swabs rather than spraying liquid directly onto the board. Leave everything to dry thoroughly—at least 24 hours, preferably with gentle airflow—before reassembling.
First figure out where the stickiness is coming from. If the plastic button covers or shell are sticking, they can usually be washed separately with warm water and mild soap. If the microswitches or scroll-wheel mechanism are affected, clean around them with a small amount of isopropyl alcohol on a swab while working the buttons or wheel. Do not pour or spray cleaner into the mouse, and disconnect the battery before touching the circuit board.
Most of the screws are hidden under the glide pads on the underside, so opening the mouse may require carefully lifting those pads. Keep track of cable and connector orientation with photos. Once opened, remove the electronics from the shell before washing the plastic parts. Use a fan or gentle dust blower to help remove moisture, but avoid reassembly until every part—including the switches and wheel assembly—is fully dry.
High-percentage isopropyl alcohol evaporates faster, but it is not a substitute for careful drying. Even diluted alcohol contains water, and liquid inside a switch or sensor can still damage it.
The important part is removing the sugar first. Water dissolves sugary residue better than alcohol, but any liquid trapped inside switches or other components can cause trouble, so use as little as possible and make sure everything is completely dry.