Clean a Printer
Cleaning a printer is a cheaper alternative to replacing one. Regular custodial maintenance of your printer will extend the life of the printer as well as ensure quality prints. Knowing how to clean your printer might seem difficult but the actual process is quite simple and only takes a few minutes.
Contents
Steps
- Different kinds of printer need various cleaning methodologies. As such if you can get some insight on cleaning guidelines for the make and model of the printer that you are using, ensure you have and strictly follow the guidelines provided therein. Regrettably, a number of manufacturers only make accessible that types of data to certain certified technicians.
- Unplug the machine. Since you will be working inside this piece of electrical equipment, it is best to unplug the printer first. Eliminate the risk of electric shock by taking this precaution. Wait a few minutes to allow the printer to cool prior to working with it.
General Steps for Cleaning Inkjets
- Remove dust. Purchase a can of air from your local office supply or general merchandise store. Routinely spray in and around the printer to get rid of any new dust and to prevent buildup.
- Clean the delicate interior. Use a soft cloth and alcohol or Windex to clean the interior screen. Other cleaning agents may put you at risk for scratching the parts or smearing. A vinegar/water solution of equal parts is another acceptable cleaner to use. For safety reasons, do not apply the liquid directly into the machine. Put it on the cloth first. Also use the soft cloth to clean the rubber blades on the ink cartridges.
- Wipe off the printer's exterior. Use the damp soft cloth to wipe off the outside of the printer as well.
- Clean the printhead. The printhead applies the ink to the paper. This is cleaned by selecting a program on your computer. Go to the Control Panel and then Printing Preferences. Once you have selected the printer, the computer will guide you through the process of cleaning the printhead. The printer will print out a test page to compare with the image on the screen. It may take several cleanings to completely clean the printhead if it is very dirty.
- If the printer has a self-cleaning option in its menu, choose it and let it run its course. Most of the time, this will sufficiently clean your printer. Consider an inkjet cleaning cartridge to clean clogged nozzles. Special cleaning sheets are available to use for cleaning print rollers.
Cleaning the Rollers
- It is vital to clean the rollers of your printer if you desire for your printer to function optimally at all times. This will help eliminate issues of paper not being picked as well as paper jams. Follow the instructions below:
- Disconnect the power cable from the main power supply.
- Open the printer casing and reveal the rollers.
- Remove any papers that may be on the tray.
- Use one hand to grasp a wet cloth on the roller and use your other hand to physically turn the roller against the dump rag. Do this repeatedly until you are sure that the roller has been thoroughly cleaned.
- Put back the papers on the tray. Replace the printer casing and insert the power cable back to the printer. Before resuming on regular printing job, test prints a few papers to ensure that the rollers have been thoroughly cleaned. If the rollers are unable to pick the papers, it is an indication that the rollers are still not clean.
General Steps for Cleaning Laser Printers
- Remove any paper trays.
- Eject the toner cartridge from the printer, and lay it on a scrap piece of paper to your surface from any possible leakage.
- Clean the inside of the machine where the toner cartridge was by wiping the area with your soft cloth.
- Clean up any paper shreddings or spilled toner.
- Wipe off all the roller with the exception of the transfer roller, which is the spongy one.
- If you have a printer brush, clean the internal mirror. Otherwise, leave the mirror untouched. Reinsert the toner cartridge into its slot.
Tips
- Ensure that the printer has been switch off and that the power cable has been removed before embarking on the process.
- First and foremost there are some basic tips that apply to electrical devices that you ought to know prior to cleaning your printer.
- Never spray any form of liquid be it water or cleaning liquid on your printer. Rather wet the piece of cloth and use it to clean the printer.
Warnings
- There are certain types of toners that can be detrimental to your health, in particular colour toner. Ensure that when cleaning such a printer that you make use of a blower containing micro-toner filer. In addition ensure that you are wearing protective clothing.
