Do you own a mouse like this? have you ever taken out the ball. if you've never cleaned your trackball mouse you might be surprised to see what has collected inside. I've been told that the gunk you can see in the pictures is dead skin cells, but whatever it is, it ain't pretty. In this Instructable I'll show you how to clean a ball mouse.

DISCLAIMER:this instructable is pretty idiot-proof but if you manage to break your mouse, computer, or prick yourself with a toothpick and have to go to the hospital because you can't deal with/treat a small puncture wound just remember,I'm not responsible for your computer, mouse, or hospital bill. Now lets get started

Step 1: So Whatcha Need?

Th only thing needed for this Instructable is

3 Toothpicks
1 Cotton Ball
Window Cleaner

or...

1 Toothpick
1 Q-Tip(or similar)
Window Cleaner

_{I didn't have a q-tip at the time so I used some toothpicks and a cotton ball.}

Step 2: Ghetto Q-Tip

This step may be skipped if you have or will use a q-tip. I didn't have a q-tip at the time so i made a q-tip knock-off using two tooth picks and a cotton ball.
The steps are fairly simple. First take a small piece of cotton off of the ball.
Then put one end of the cotton between the two ends of the toothpicks.
Finally wind around the toothpicks and set aside for later.

Step 3: Mouse Visectomy

Before we begin, you should disconnect your mouse from your computer. once you've done that come back. I'll be waiting...

Okay first we have to remove the trackball from the mouse body, to do this, flip over the trackball mouse and locate a hole that looks at the trackball. put the eraser of a pencil, the non business end of a pen or your finger through the hole and push the trackball out. Be sure to catch it and don't let it hit the ground!

Step 4: Get in There.

Dip the toothpick in the window cleaner and use the it to scrape the gunk(for lack of a better word) out of the little bearings. Don't worry so much about the large spaces in between, thats what the q-tip is for. When you've cleaned the bearings, GENTLY clean the CORNERS of the little sensor window. i cant stress enough the GENTLY and CORNERS. if you don't you might break the sensor or scratch the window.

Step 5: Cleaning Up

Use your Q-Tip to clean the areas around the bearings and the sensor window, again, don't push too hard on the window

Step 6: Humpty Dumpty

You won't need all the king's horses to put the trackball back together again, just your fingers. Now, pop the ball back into the socket and your done. Go ahead, give it a spin.