Cleaning a Printer
Benefits: When your print job isn’t up to par, you can get rid of
smudges, white lines and reduce paper jams by simply cleaning your
printer. Of course, the real benefit of cleaning is that it saves you
money by prolonging the life of your printer!
Your first step in cleaning a printer is always to check your
manufacturer’s documentation. If you don’t have a written manual, most
manufacturers provide tips on what not to do and provide support for
even older printer models on their web sites. Use only the cleaners that
your manufacturer recommends and clean only recommended areas of your
printer.
Tip: Search for terms like printer maintenance, printer cleaning,
and troubleshooting.
Tip: Always check both your manufacturer’s documentation and
warnings and advisories on cleaning products to be sure they are
compatible with your printer and the cleaning job that needs to be done.
Cleaning the Outside of Your Printer
1. Turn your printer off before cleaning.
2. Clean the outside of your printer with a moist, lint-free cloth.
Flour sacking or 100% cotton white t-shirt material works well.
3. Usually a solution of one part vinegar and one part water is safe to
use, but when moistening a cloth, be sure to wring out all the excess.
Distilled or RO (reverse osmosis) water minimizes mineral residues. If
you do use a prepared cleaner, make sure it is safe for both electronics
and plastics.
4. Always moisten the cloth. Never spray an aerosol directly onto your
printer.
Cleaning a Laser Printer
1. Turn the printer off, unplug it, and allow it to cool down before you
begin.
2. Remove the internal paper trays.
3. Remove the toner cartridge and place it on a piece of clean paper.
4. Clean inside the toner cavity with a dry, lint-free cloth and printer
brush.
5. Clean the printer mirror gently with the brush. Don't touch the
mirror if a brush isn't provided.
6. Wipe away dust and spilled toner. Remove paper fragments.
7. Clean the rollers, but don’t touch the transfer (sponge) roller.
8. Replace the toner cartridge.
Tip: Exposure to light can damage toner cartridges. Always cover
your toner cartridge with an extra lint-free cloth or piece of paper
after removing it.
Cleaning an Inkjet Printer
Most inkjets have a self-cleaning process you can access from your
printer’s control panel. If that process doesn’t remedy the problem, try
one of the following. Remember to check your manufacturer’s
documentation and the product documentation to be sure it is right for
your printer.
1. Inkjet cleaning cartridges flush dirt and debris out of clogged
printer nozzles, restoring the quality of your prints and prolonging the
life of your print heads. However, take care that the cleaning fluid
you use is approved for your brand and model of printer.
2. Before cleaning inside your inkjet, turn it off and unplug it. Let it
cool down if necessary.
3. Dust, hair, and lint from inexpensive papers can gum up your
printer’s rollers. A computer vacuum is usually a safe way to remove
debris.
4. Roller cleaning sheets can help in cleaning print rollers. Again,
check documentation before use.
Tip: Most manufacturers recommend against using compressed air
since the propellant may add moisture to the inside of your printer.
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