Tips or tricks for cleaning a mouse wheel?

[Winged_One]

An otherwise perfectly good OPTICAL mouse I have for the laptop has become become defective because of the CENTER wheel. As I move the wheel it doesn't work smoothly like it used to, moving the screen up and down. Now, the screen jumps back and forth. Obviously it is just very dirty inside.

I can find no where to take it apart. No screws, it must just pop together.

Before I break it, trying to take it apart, has anyone found a cleaner to apply to the wheel that can be rotated on the wheel to the inside of the mouse and clean the connection?

I have tried rubbing alcohol, but it only worked for a short time.

Edit: Thanks to all. I edited this OP because I wasn't clear I was working on an optical mouse, center button/wheel.

[strollin]

Got that, which is why I posted instructions for that type of mouse.

[Winged_One]

This is an optical mouse.

The wheel in question is the center button/wheel on top of the mouse.

[strollin]

Here are some generic instructions: How to clean mouse scroll wheel.

If you can't find the screw holding it together, try looking under labels, rubber feet or within the battery compartment (if one exists).

Cleaning it will certainly be cheaper than replacing it as long as you don't mind taking the time to do it.

[bgum]

The old style mice with the ball have two small wheels (one for up-down one for left-right) inside. Those wheels get a coating of lint, dirt, etc. and that is what causes the mouse to skip. If you can't reach these then go get an optical mouse. The optical mouse does not have parts that cause this problem.

[SWD]

Cheaper to buy a new one.