Wipe your waterproof mousepad dry every time.

That’s it. The whole trick is not letting water sit on it for hours or days. Waterproof doesn’t mean self-drying. If you spill something, wipe it off immediately. Then give it a quick wash with mild dish soap and water once a week if you eat at your desk, or once a month otherwise.

The reason mold happens is that “waterproof” just means the surface repels liquid. But seams, edges, and the underside can still trap moisture. If you wipe the top and forget the edges, that’s where mildew starts. Also, mousepads with rubber bases tend to hold moisture underneath if you put them back on the desk while still wet.

I wouldn’t use bleach or alcohol wipes every day—those can break down the waterproof coating over time. Stick to soap and water, then let it air dry completely upside down for a few hours. If it’s one of those big desk mats, hang it over the edge of a table.

Your mousepad shouldn’t smell like a wet towel.