How can I clean the rubber sides of my mouse?

Just us GooGone graffiti remover.  I got it from Walmart. Wipes off with little effort involved.

This is the second time this has happened to me with a Microsoft Mouse. Mine is a Microsoft Sculpt Mobile Mouse (Model 1569), and it's a little more than a year old.  My solution this time, as it was the last time, was to peel the rubber layer off of the mouse completely. Depending on the state of deterioration, there may be degenerated rubber or an adhesive layer left behind that you need to get off with a cleaner. You will be left with the smooth, hard surface of the structural plastic.

It's a matter of opinion, but I find the smooth plastic finish left behind less comfortable than before, but it beats just throwing the mouse in the garbage and getting a new one. This ever-increasing approach of manufacturers to make appliances poorly with the intention of having the consumer buy replacements more frequently - and having the old ones end up in landfills - is something that must end if we ever intend to stop polluting our planet with needless waste.

The rubber undoubtedly degenerates due to contact with skin, its secreted oils, and whatever other substances may be on the fingers. One would have thought that they would understand this by now, given the length of time that this problem has been in existence.

In any case, this is most definitely the last time I will purchase a Microsoft Mouse - unless they develop a completely new design that is intended to last and acknowledge that this has been a systemic problem!

To Microsoft: this is one very small improvement that you could make in the interests of sustainable business practices. It's time to accept the principles of ethical corporate citizenship and address issues like this HEAD ON with progressive and sustainable solutions. Show some leadership. Your customer base will appreciate it.

Here's what I did:

First of all, never clean the rubber with any type of cleaner. I've found that it is only after cleaning that the rubber becomes sticky or tacky in the first place. There is some type of coating (maybe silicon or some other industrial chemical, but I'm not sure exactly what) that is applied to the rubber at the factory. Once that is gone, it will never have the exact same feel unfortunately. The cleaner sits there all night after cleaning and you will find that it is only tacky hours after cleaning because it sits there and dissolves the factory coating and starts to eat into the rubber itself. You can however amend it somewhat which may be desirable to most because of the high cost of nice mice and the fact that it is wasteful to throw away a perfectly good item. 

1. After the rubber has become unbearably sticky/tacky, clean it thoroughly with dish soap and water on a rag. You really have to scrub it good at this point. If you use a clean paper towel, you can actually see the rubber coming off a little. If you have to, do this several times. Then rinse with water on a rag instead of the water/soap mixture. LET DRY COMPLETELY.
2. I have tried many things, and the best so far is Armor-All that is used for automobiles. Take a cotton swab and wet it completely with the Armor-All. Apply it to the dry rubber portions of the mouse in one or two or three coats, letting it DRY COMPLETELY as this is key. Just rub it on, let it dry 15 minutes, apply the next coat, let dry, etc.
3. After the last coat has dried, take a clean cloth and wet with water. Rub all the excess armor all off the mouse and rubber portions. Again, allow this to dry at least 30 minutes. Wash your hands thoroughly and let completely dry afterward-not only because of the chemicals on them, but because believe it or not, the mouse will STILL feel tacky next time you touch it because of the residue on your fingers! 

There you have it. Like I said, it will never be exactly the same, but all the sticky/tackiness of the rubber will be gone. The mouse will now feel like a natural rubber product in that it will not be tacky, but have a more grip-like feel, or if you will be more "grippe" :)

I would love to know what the factory coating is and if it can be purchased and re-applied.

Here's what I did:

First of all, I learned through my own error to never clean the rubber with any type of cleaner. I've found that it is only after cleaning that the rubber becomes sticky or tacky in the first place. There is some type of coating (maybe silicon or some other industrial chemical, but I'm not sure exactly what) that is applied to the rubber at the factory. Once that is gone, it will never have the exact same feel unfortunately. What seems to happen is the residual cleaner sits there all night after cleaning and dissolves the factory coating and starts to eat into the rubber itself which gives that disgustingly frustrating slime that gets all over your hands the next day. Although the mouse is unfortunately now effectively garbage to those who loved its silky soft feel, you can however amend it somewhat. This is a desirable approach to most sane people because of the high cost of nice mice along with the fact that it is extremely wasteful and also terrible for the environment to throw away a perfectly good electronic/plastic item every other year!

1. After the rubber has become unbearably sticky/tacky, clean it thoroughly with dish soap and water on a rag. You really have to scrub it good at this point. If you use a clean paper towel, you can actually see the rubber coming off a little. If you have to, do this several times. Then rinse with water on a rag instead of the water/soap mixture. LET DRY COMPLETELY.
2. I have tried many things, and the best so far is Armor-All that is used for automobiles. Take a cotton swab and wet it completely with the Armor-All. Apply it to the dry rubber portions of the mouse in one or two or three coats, letting it dry again as this is key. Just rub it on, let it dry 15 minutes, apply the next coat, let dry, etc.
3. After the last coat has dried, take a clean cloth and wet with water. Rub all the excess armor all off the mouse and rubber portions. Again, allow this to dry at least 30 minutes. Wash your hands thoroughly and let completely dry afterward-not only because of the chemicals on them, but because believe it or not, the mouse will STILL feel tacky next time you touch it because of the residue on your fingers! 

There you have it. Like I said, it will never be exactly the same, but all the sticky/tackiness of the rubber will be gone. The mouse will now feel like a natural rubber product in that it will not be tacky, but have a more grip-like feel, or if you will be more "grippy" :) It will now kind of feel like the hand grips on a BMX bicycle.

As a bunch of people already posted, alcohol will produce a similar effect, but once again, nothing seems to bring back that soft smooth texture that was originally on the device. You can even skip the Armor-All and just do the soap and water scrub believe it or not. Talcum powder (baby powder) works too, except then your mouse looks like **** with white residue all over it and in the cracks which kind of negates the fact that you cleaned it (and in effect ruined it) in the first place! 

I would love to know what chemical the factory coating is and if it can be purchased and re-applied. Seems like they could make like a billion dollars a year by selling it in a repair kit to people who by their own blame, actually CLEAN their mouse and keyboard. Shame on you consumers for your cleanliness! Very, very, very frustrating was this issue to me...