Heat-warped mousepads are usually ruined.

Probably not. Once the surface has been deformed by heat, the material’s structure is permanently changed in most cases.

Mousepads are typically made of a rubber or foam base with a cloth or synthetic top layer. When left in a hot car, the rubber or foam can soften and shift, creating bumps, waves, or dish-shaped depressions. That means the flat surface is gone for good. You can try flattening it under heavy books for a few days, but that rarely works—the damage is already set.

Some hard mousepads (like those with a plastic surface) might warp too. With those, you could try very gently heating the warped area with a hair dryer on low and pressing it flat on a table while it cools. But honestly, the risk of making it worse is high, and the payoff is low. Padded soft mousepads are a lost cause.

If it’s a cheap mousepad, just replace it. If it’s a premium one, check the manufacturer’s warranty—some cover heat damage. Otherwise, accept the loss and buy a new one. Future you deserves better than a wobbly mousepad.