Drying your mat incorrectly undoes all the effort invested into washing it. Never tumble dry a mousepad inside a household clothes dryer. The rotational drum heat scorches synthetic microfibers, turns natural foam bases into crumbly sponge dust, and permanently shrinks the edges. Hair dryers present similar hazards by concentrating extreme thermal pockets directly over thin glues.
Employ natural air drying techniques instead. Lay the dripping mat completely flat over a pair of clean, dry bath towels. Roll the towels around the mousepad like a sleeping bag, then press firmly with open palms to draw out excess bulk moisture without bending the internal rubber structure. Unroll the assembly and place the mat flat on a ventilated drying rack away from direct ultraviolet sunlight. Expect full air evaporation to take between 24 and 36 hours depending on ambient room humidity. Reinstalling a damp mat invites mildew and corrodes internal mouse components from rising vapor.
