I've used a few mousepads for extended periods of time and I was thinking about how often I have needed to wash them. I usually don't wash them until they get visibly dirty or the tracking starts to get inconsistent. It seems like tracking on some pads is more affected by dirt than others. Here's my list of pads and thoughts on how often they need washed. Let me know your thoughts. Maybe this will get some of you to wash your mousepads more often. On a lot of pads I can tell it needs washing by just testing the glide on a high traffic area vs a low traffic area. On some pads like the G640 for example there is a huge difference in tracking feel between a clean area and a dirty area even if it doesn't look dirty. Also if you have pets I highly recommend Ikea lint rollers to get the fuzz off your pad. Sometimes little pet hairs can get embedded in the pad and throw off your aim. The glue they use does not come off on the pad and they do a great job pulling out embedded hair. I generally keep one on my desk anyways because I have 3 dogs and have to use it often on my clothes.
Glorious XXL Cloth Pad - Pretty hard surface overall. Decent pad but inconsistent tracking left right vs up down. Doesn't need washed until visibly dirty for tracking but the area your arm rests gets sticky after a few weeks of use. Wash every 1-2 months
SteelSeries QCK+ - Tracks well for about a month then needs washed even if not visibly dirty because it gets a bit inconsistent feeling. Surface is more rough than most so it picks up a lot of pet hair. Wash every 1-2 months
Razer Gigantus - Pad feels mushy and inconsistent, I used it for about 6 months and never got used to it. Surface gets really sticky and sticks to my forearm after a few days. Tracking doesn't seem to be affected by washing but it needs to be washed often due to the area your arm touches. Wash every 1-2 weeks
Razer Goliathus Speed - Very tight weaving and doesn't really pick up much dirt. Never gotten visibly dirty. Wash every 2-3 months.
Logitech G640 - Top tier tracking for about a week. Then becomes horribly inconsistent and grabby in the most trafficked areas. Needs weekly washing even if not visibly dirty.
HyperX Fury S Pro - Top tier consistent tracking even when visibly dirty. Tracking doesn't seem affected by dirt or use. Doesn't stick to arm even when visibly dirty. Wash every 2-3 months.
Glorious XXL Cloth Pad - Pretty hard surface overall. Decent pad but inconsistent tracking left right vs up down. Doesn't need washed until visibly dirty for tracking but the area your arm rests gets sticky after a few weeks of use. Wash every 1-2 months
SteelSeries QCK+ - Tracks well for about a month then needs washed even if not visibly dirty because it gets a bit inconsistent feeling. Surface is more rough than most so it picks up a lot of pet hair. Wash every 1-2 months
Razer Gigantus - Pad feels mushy and inconsistent, I used it for about 6 months and never got used to it. Surface gets really sticky and sticks to my forearm after a few days. Tracking doesn't seem to be affected by washing but it needs to be washed often due to the area your arm touches. Wash every 1-2 weeks
Razer Goliathus Speed - Very tight weaving and doesn't really pick up much dirt. Never gotten visibly dirty. Wash every 2-3 months.
Logitech G640 - Top tier tracking for about a week. Then becomes horribly inconsistent and grabby in the most trafficked areas. Needs weekly washing even if not visibly dirty.
HyperX Fury S Pro - Top tier consistent tracking even when visibly dirty. Tracking doesn't seem affected by dirt or use. Doesn't stick to arm even when visibly dirty. Wash every 2-3 months.