Isopropyl alcohol and microfiber won’t scratch it.

Yes, isopropyl alcohol (70% or higher) on a microfiber cloth is the safest way to clean hardened polymer residue from a glass mousepad.

The polymer coating is the thing you’re trying to protect — it’s not the glass itself. Scrubbing with abrasives, paper towels, or even a magic eraser will leave micro-scratches or wear the coating unevenly. Alcohol breaks down most polymer gunk without being aggressive.

Apply the alcohol to the cloth (not directly on the pad) and let it sit on the residue for 30 seconds before wiping gently. If it’s really stubborn, repeat — don’t press harder. Acetone or nail polish remover might work faster but can damage some coatings, so test on a corner first.

Patience beats pressure here.