And All That Gunk

Q: Dear 100hr board,

What the heck is the gunk that I have to constantly clean out of my roller-ball type computer mouse? It gums up on the wheels inside and is a pain to deal with, but what is it?

Signed,

Gunkophobic

A: Dear Frequent Cleaner of the Mouse Gunk

There is a definitive term for the 'gunk' you find in your mouse, what I can gather I've seen it referred to as cruft (as in the adventures of Lara Cruft) most mostly referred to as 'mouse-gunk'. This even by official technical guides provided by mouse and hardware manufacturers. Also there are some similar conditions. The 'gunk' that collects in watches has been referred to as 'puls,' but only in some random journals, whether or not this will make it in the wester dictionary (it's not) will be seen.

As to what it is...well that depends on you. Because, for the most part that gunk is you. Gunk is a mixture of dust and what you eat around the computer. (You are what you eat). So it's an amalogam of dust particles, bits of cheese puffs, remains of sandwhiches and what not. So what is dust? You. Dust is primarily made of sloughed off human skin cells. These accumulate and provide a feeding ground for dust mites. Dust mites eat this and then - well - poop. So there's some mite poop in there too. Sounds yummy huh? As you move your mouse around the desk, you collect dust and remnants that collect on the inside rollar bars of the mouse. You cause your own pain.

Now remedies?

First clean up. Dust can be removed by: wiping, swiping, or sweeping by hand, or with a dust cloth, sponge, duster, or broom, or by suction by a vacuum cleaner or air filter.

And don't eat around your computer.

You can clean the mouse easily - using cotton swabs, maybe some rubbing alcohol if you'd like (it sanitizes too!).

You are best off using a mouse pad and buying an optical mouse. They're much easier to use. And if you get a wireless one you don't need to worry about dust on wires (or crinkled wires).

Regards,

The Mitey Mitey Dusttones