How To Clean Neoprene Laptop Case

This site is reader-supported and I earn commissions if you purchase products from retailers after clicking on a link from this site. As an Amazon Associate, I'll earn from qualifying purchases.

Laptop sleeves provide portable convenience and protection, but the material is often hard to clean. Whether your laptop's sleeve is made of neoprene, cotton, canvas, or anything in between, you should steer clear of laundry machines. Today, we'll cover all of the details about cleaning it in less than ten minutes.

To clean a laptop sleeve, scrub it with warm water and a toothbrush to remove surface stains, then use a mild detergent to sanitize and clean the sleeve. You can use wet suit cleaning solutions for neoprene laptop sleeves, too. Rinse it with cold water and air dry the laptop sleeve with a fan.

This article will also show you the following information about how to clean a laptop sleeve:

A step-by-step guide to clean your laptop sleeve
Why you should regularly wash it, even if you don't use it daily
How you can avoid long-term stains and damage to the material

Scrub the Laptop Sleeve with Warm Water and a Toothbrush

You don't need a ton of soap and scorching hot water to get the job done. Your laptop sleeve is likely made of cotton, canvas, or neoprene. Hot water can damage all of these materials, as can harsh chemicals. To start the process, use a clean (unused) toothbrush, dip it in warm water, and scrub the stains.

If you're doing a general cleaning session, you don't have to focus on this step too much. It's best for spills and concentrated stains. We put our laptops through a lot, so it's important that you clean it regularly; Otherwise, it can look, smell, and feel gross. Scrub the laptop sleeve in circular motions until the stain is lifted.

Much like cleaning shoes after your dog got to them, you should work gently enough to remove the stains without ruining the fabric. Laptop sleeves are durable enough to keep your laptop in good shape, but loosened fibers will lead to holes and rips, which prevent it from protecting your tech accessories.

Note: It's best to use a soft bristle toothbrush since it won't shred through the material. You can scrub much more aggressively with a soft bristle toothbrush, too. You don't need any soap or detergent for this step, though it'll become useful in the next section.

Once you're done getting rid of the surface stains and debris, it's time to deep-clean the laptop sleeve. Don't worry if there are a few stains left; Heavy spots are nearly impossible to clean without soap, vinegar, and other solutions. When you're done with this step, move onto the next section to learn how to use mild detergent without damaging your laptop's sleeve.

Use Mild Detergent to Remove Stains

According to E-Sports Point, mild detergent is an excellent replacement for neoprene shampoo. If you have a neoprene laptop sleeve, I highly recommend you skip this step and try the wet suit cleaner found in the next subheading. Those of you who have a laptop sleeve made of cotton, canvas, or another fabric should follow the step-by-step process below.

Dilute half of a teaspoon (or less, depending on the size of the stains) in half of a gallon of warm water. Don't let the water get too hot or it'll loosen the fabric. Stir them together until the detergent is completely mixed, then go to step two.
Use a soft sponge or toothbrush to dip the solution and scrub it on the stains. Some stains will take longer than others, so don't feel discouraged if they take a long time to come out. This step is undoubtedly the longest part of the process (aside from drying it on a line).
If the laptop sleeve gets too wet, dab it with a dry cloth or paper towel to remove excess moisture. Too much water and detergent can invite mildew if it doesn't dry properly. We'll cover the proper drying instructions for your laptop sleeve later in the article. For now, focus on removing the stains and dabbing them every now and then.

As you can see, this process is fairly straightforward. As long as you don't let it get too wet or use too much detergent, you'll be good to go. When you're laptop sleeve is looking nice and clean, head to the rinsing subheading. Those of you who have neoprene laptop sleeves should read on for more tips, though.

If you have a neck warmer that also needs a cleaning, follow my article about cleaning your neck gaiter.

Consider Wet Suit Cleaners for Neoprene Laptop Sleeves

Wet suit clean is a fantastic solution for neoprene laptop sleeves. They're a similar material, which means you can use the shampoo to scrub away excess stains without damaging the fabric. The Wet Suit + Dry Suit Shampoo by Gear Aid is at the top of the list for wet suit cleaners ideal for laptop sleeves.

Here's how you can use this solution:

Get a five-gallon bucket, tub, sink, or bathtub. It needs to be big enough to hold plenty of warm water and shampoo, along with your laptop sleeve. If there's not enough room for all of these, you might want to look for something bigger.
Use half of an ounce of the Wet Suit Shampoo by Gear Aid. Stir it into the water before you place the laptop sleeve inside the tub or bucket. Ensure that it's completely mixed by removing and dissolving clumps with your hands. This solution is safe to touch, but wearing gloves will make it easier to handle.
Immerse the laptop sleeve in the cleaning solution, agitate the water, and scrub the sleeve back and forth. Make sure you spend about one to two minutes on this process. Skipping the agitation bit will prevent it from fully cleaning your laptop sleeve.
Remove the shampoo-packed water, fill the tub or bucket with cold water, and rinse the laptop sleeve until all of the suds are removed. Leaving too much shampoo in the laptop sleeve will make it feel gross and look dull. This mixture is designed to preserve the color, so use it according to the instructions on the bag.

Rinse It to Get Rid of the Soap

If you use the neoprene wet suit cleaner, you likely already rinsed the laptop sleeve. If not, thoroughly rinse the sleeve by running it under cold water until there's no more detergent on its surface. Try turning it inside out if you can, but make sure you don't rip or damage the material.

Cold water is better for rinsing because it prevents the fabric from loosening. It also removes suds and brings the temperature back to normal.

Air Dry the Laptop Sleeve

Do It Yourself explains you shouldn't ever dry neoprene in the sunlight or in a dryer. Whether the laptop sleeve is made of neoprene, canvas, cotton, or another material, the best course of action is to hang it on a line inside or out of direct sunlight. UV rays can dull and damage your laptop sleeve. You can use fans to speed the process along, though.

Wrapping It Up

Laptop sleeves are designed to protect your laptop, but foul odors and structural deterioration can make it more of a problem than a solution. As long as you avoid laundry machines, you don't have to worry about your laptop sleeve falling apart during the cleaning process.

Here's a recap of what the post should've taught you:

Mild laundry detergent or soap is great for cleaning your laptop sleeve.
Rinse it with cold water when you're done to prevent soap stains.
Never use dryers since they can overheat the neoprene material.
Wet suit cleaners are an excellent solution for deep, hard-to-remove stains.