How to Clean a Magnetic Door Lock
Magnetic door locks are made up of an electromagnet in the door frame that, when activated, securely magnetizes and locks to a plate that is attached to the door. Usually either a keypad or a card reader unlocks magnetic doors. Over time, especially when outdoors, locks and keypads become grungy. Dirty reader heads inside the card slot can also cause card reader malfunction. Magnetic door locks are operated by electricity, so it is important when cleaning to not allow water or cleaning fluids to seep into the keypad or card reader and cause damage to the electronics. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Compressed air
- Antibacterial wipes
- Lint free cloth
- Card reader cleaning card
Instructions
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Switch off the main electrical switch that controls the magnetic locking system.
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Spray the lock, keypad and/or card reader slot with compressed air to remove loose particles. Be sure to hold the can of compressed air in an upright position so no liquid drips out.
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Clean the surfaces, keypad buttons and mouth of the card slot with antibacterial wipes or a lint-free cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol. Ring out the wipe or cloth to remove excess moisture before using it. Twist it and let it drip until no more drips come off. This will ensure that no moisture will get underneath the keys or seep into any seams or cracks. Do not spray cleaning product directly onto the lock. Wrap the cloth around one finger to help get into small areas and corners. Cotton swabs and balls can also be used if necessary.
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Clean the inside of your card reader slot with a card reader cleaning card. Cleaning cards can be purchased from credit card supply companies. Insert the cleaning card into the slot five or six times, just like you would a regular card. Wait one minute to let the card and reader dry. Insert the cleaning card into the slot five or six more times. Throw away the card.
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