If you grew up in the 1990s, you probably remember a time when cleaning a computer mouse was a real little “tech ritual.” Not a quick wipe like today—this was hands-on maintenance that every home computer user eventually had to learn.

Back then, most mice weren’t optical. They were mechanical, with a small rubber ball underneath that tracked movement. Over time, dust, lint, and dirt would build up inside, causing the cursor to move strangely, jump around, or stop responding properly. When that happened, you knew it was time for a clean.

The process started by flipping the mouse over and removing the circular cover holding the ball in place. Once the ball was taken out, it was usually wiped clean with a cloth and sometimes a bit of rubbing alcohol. Inside the mouse, you’d often find two small rollers covered in grime. These needed careful cleaning, usually with a cotton swab or even a fingernail to gently scrape off the buildup. It wasn’t glamorous work, but it made a huge difference in performance.

After everything was cleaned and dried, the ball was placed back in, the cover locked, and suddenly the mouse felt brand new again. For many, it was a small but satisfying reminder of how different early computing was—slower, more mechanical, but also more hands-on and oddly rewarding in its own way.