How to Clean a Scanner

Typical scanner use leaves dust and fingerprints on the glass, which degrades the quality of your scans. Follow these steps to clean your scanner.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Endust For Electronics
• Compressed Airs
• Eyeglass Cleaner
• soft, lint-free rags

1. Gather your cleaning materials. You'll need a soft, lint-free cloth (anti-static rags are particularly good for this purpose); and Endust for Electronics, an eyeglass cleaner, or a mild, non-streak glass cleaner.

2. Check your owner's manual. If the manufacturer has provided specific instructions, follow them.

3. Unplug the scanner.

4. Spray glass cleaner on your cloth.

5. Raise or remove the scanner lid.

6. Wipe glass until visible dust specks and grease have been removed.

7. Immediately wipe the screen dry with a dry portion of the rag or a second rag.

8. If you are not satisfied with the results, repeat the process.

9. Clean the chassis with the same fluid or with any other product suitable for cleaning plastic. (Some manufacturers recommend mild detergent dissolved in water.)

10. Clean under the glass (the underside of the glass and inside of the chassis) only if recommended by the manufacturer. Some manufacturers recommend carefully cleaning the mirror with a camel-hair brush or compressed air; most manufacturers recommend professional service for interior cleaning.

Tips & Warnings

• Cleaning materials are available from computer stores, consumer electronics stores, and art-supply stores.
• Avoid typical glass-cleaning products, as they can leave streaks on your bed.
• Do not spray cleaner directly onto any part of the scanner.
• You may see recommendations to use (clothes) dryer anti-static sheets, but don't; they could scratch your bed.
• Paper towels will leave dust on your bed.
• Do not use any type of abrasive pad, cleanser, or alcohol-based product on the glass.

on 11/22/2005 I was told by a technician at Hewlett Packard to use moistened coffee filters to clean the glass on my scanner.