Cleaning a Printer? Here’s What You Can and Can’t DIY

Cleaning a printer will improve the image quality of your inkjet or laser printer. This is because dust and dirt pile up inside it over time, affecting its functionality. But before you do it yourself, you need to check the cleaning procedure in the product’s manual because not all printers are the same.

The Difference Between Laser Printer and an Inkjet Printer

A laser printer uses an electrical charge to control when and where the toner should be discharged on the paper. Also, it is often bigger and needs more space for your printing area. Although laser printers can be more expensive, they offer high-quality print and can print many pages at once. 

On the other hand, an inkjet printer works directly as the cartridge moves across the page. If you have a small space for a printing station in your home, this type of printer works best because it can easily be placed on a shelving unit or desk. It is relatively cheaper and slower than a laser printer. In terms of image precision, there’s a tendency that the ink will be ruined or get smudged when wet.

Do’s & Don’t of Cleaning a Printer

What You Need to Do:

• – Always turn off the printer and remove the plug.
• – Make sure to use a small amount of commercially available alcohol-based cleaners containing at least 30% water mixed with 70% isopropyl alcohol for disinfection.
• – Use a microfiber cloth to wipe off the surface and avoid scratching the document glass.
• – Use disposable gloves when disinfecting and cleaning the surface and removing the ink.
• – Only use water and microfiber for cleaning the document glass.

What You Should Avoid:

• – Never clean your printer when it is powered on and plugged in.
• – Never use tissues or paper towels as it contains fibrous or abrasive materials that can scratch the printer.
• – Avoid using cleaning solutions with a high concentration of alcohol.
• – Don’t use harsh chemicals such as brasses, bleach, peroxide, and ammonia to clean your device. 
• – Don’t directly spray the cleaning solution on the printer.

How to Clean an Inkjet Printer

• 1. Remove the ink cartridges, then turn off the printer.
• 2. Cleaning printer heads isn’t a difficult task. Clean a clogged printer head using a stiff bristle brush or sponge swab with a cleaning solution. 
• 3. Gently clean the inkjet ribbons as it is fragile and expensive to repair.
• 4. Remove the accumulated grime and dirt on the cartridge housing using a cotton swab and cleaning solution.
• 5. Oil the stabiliser bar.
• 6. Put the cartridge back in.
• 7. Do a print test to ensure you’ve removed the excess ink.

How to Clean A Laser Printer

• 1. Turn off the printer and let it cool down.
• 2. Open the back or front panel, then remove the toner cartridge.
• 3. Blow out dust and debris around the corona wire and drum using a blow dryer or a vacuum cleaner nozzle.
• 4. Moisten a cotton swab with a cleaning solution or isopropyl alcohol.
• 5. Gently rub components such as wires and cable.
• 6. Re-insert the toner cartridge.
• 7. Have a trial print to ensure everything is working correctly.

When Cleaning a Printer is Not Enough

If you have cautiously cleaned your printer and adhered to different considerations but you’;re still having trouble, it is best to let the professionals do the job. 

When you hit “inkjet printer repairs near me” online, Printer Repairs Centre will be recommended. We offer exceptional repairs and professional service for all office machines with customised service agreements, without the hassle of a contract and monthly fees. So for all your printer repair needs, contact us today!