Shredder Tips
Paper shredders help keep your sensitive information secure by cutting up documents into unreadable strips or shreds so your information cannot be pieced together by others. The type of shredder that cuts paper into tiny diamond shapes, known as a cross-cut shredder, is more secure than the older style that cuts in a single direction to create uniform paper strips. Shredders can get jammed or overheat fairly easily, so start with a high-quality shredder and follow its instructions carefully.
Other People Are Reading
-
Preparation
-
Some shredders are able to tolerate the occasional staple or paper clip accidentally running through the shredder head, but to prolong the use of your shredder, check carefully for these items and remove them before shredding. The metal from clips and staples can damage the cutting surfaces of the shredder, causing jams or incomplete shredding the next time you use the machine.
Avoid Glue
-
Envelopes, sticky notes and other items with glue should not be run through the shredder. Some shredder manufacturers claim that these items are okay, but the glue will build up on the shredding surface and cause trouble later on. Dirt, paper dust and debris will stick to these materials and the buildup can cause the shredder to jam. If your envelopes or sticky notes contain sensitive information, tear off the envelope flap or glue strip and discard it separately before shredding the rest of the paper.
-
Maintenance
-
Oil your shredder according to the manufacturer's instructions, either on a monthly basis or whenever you notice a difference in sound or performance while shredding. Make sure you are using paper shredder oil, which won't stick to the shredder and cause the same problems as glue. Spread a small amount on a sheet of paper and run it through the shredder, then run several other sheets through to remove excess oil. Use a can of compressed air to occasionally blow paper dust out of the shredder teeth if it seems to cause problems. Always empty the shredder basket when it is full, rather than trying to shred more paper when there is no room left in the bin.
Additional Security
-
For single-cut shredders, run your documents through the shredder at an angle so complete sentences aren't available on single strips. When shredding particularly sensitive documents, such as credit cards (for shredders that accept plastic), dispose of the shreds in three different batches, disposed of on different days, to ensure they are not pieced together.
-
References
- Photo Credit shredder image by jovica antoski from Fotolia.com
