How To Clean Your Laser Printer Safely?
Some safety issues
Before I begin, I'd like to stress that this article is intended only to assist with basic laser printer cleaning. If you're unsure of your ability to perform any sort of printer maintenance, or if performing such maintenance will void the printer's warranty, you should contact a qualified service professional or the manufacturer.
Though laser printers come in various shapes and sizes, they all use toner (that messy black powder). While cleaning your laser printer, the last thing you want is to have toner in your lungs or on your skin.
Toner particles are so fine that they can take more than fifteen minutes to settle if they become airborne—make those hours if you have fans or air-conditioners circulating them through an office. To avoid inhaling toner particles, try to keep the air in the cleaning area stable and leave the printer area for several minutes after cleaning. When you return, move slowly, open all windows, and begin vacuuming any toner from the floor, tabletops, and so forth.
Another dangerous area common to all laser printers is the fuser-roller compartment. The fuser roller gets extremely hot during the printing process and is usually covered for safety. Burns can occur, however, if you accidentally uncover and touch the roller. I recommend that you leave your printer off for at least one hour before cleaning.
The tools required
Here are the basic tools you need to clean a laser printer:
1. Toner vacuum
2. Toner cloth
3. Mask
4. Cotton swabs
5. Isopropyl alcohol (99 percent pure)
6. Paintbrush (soft bristle, about a half-inch wide)
7. Latex gloves (the ones used by doctors)
Cleaning your laser printer
Unplug the laser printer, let it sit for one hour, and then follow the steps below:
1. Don your mask and latex gloves.
2. Open the printer and gently remove the toner cartridge or toner bottle.
3. Use your "activated" toner cloth and wipe the toner cartridge. Place the cartridge aside on another activated toner cloth.
4. Use your toner vacuum to remove spilled toner from within the printer's internal compartment. Try to prevent the vacuum's nozzle from actually touching any of the printer's internal surfaces.
5. Use your paintbrush to remove toner from any crevices. Use gentle motions and vacuum as necessary.
6. Many laser printers use very fine wires (called corona wires) that are often exposed. If your printer has such wires, take care to avoid vacuuming or brushing them. Breaking a corona wire can be a costly mistake. Dip a cotton swab into isopropyl alcohol and gently run it along the length of the wire. Also be sure to clean the underside of the wires. Never apply pressure.
7. Reinsert the toner cartridge, close the printer, reconnect the power cord, and you are done.
Matters needing attention
Though you can use the toner cloth to clean the inside, I do not recommend it. There are many sharp points that can tear the cloth's fiber and leave loose strands inside the printer.
OEM vs Compatible toner cartridges
Usually, you can choose the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) toner cartridges. However, due to environmental and cost concerns, you might want to use compatible toner cartridges. Make sure that your compatible toner cartridges are from reputable suppliers. The Low-quality toner cartridge can void your printer warranty, leak toner, and make your support work downright miserable. V4INK is the leading online compatible toner cartridge and drum unit brand, V4INK deliver the highest quality and performance possible at an affordable price.
