As printing plays such a large part in any organization, keeping laser printers clean is essential to keep them operating normally. Although they attract dust and dirt quickly, laser printers are relatively simple to clean with the right equipment. Black toner cartridges for laser printers that contain black powder may be a sticky business to clean.
We’ll show you how to safely and successfully clean a Brother printer cartridge in this round-up, as well as give you some suggestions on how to enhance the lifespan of your Brother printer cartridges. So let’s get started.
Part 1: A Brief Introduction About Toner Cartridges
The cartridges that are used in laser printers are toner cartridges. Toner is the fine powder filled into the cylinder container, which is created from polyester (a plastic material).
In toner cartridges, laser technology melts toner particles onto a page to produce an image. In printing, toner dust is a finely ground plastic. Toner cartridges fall into two categories: whole units that must be discarded after use and refillable units that can be used multiple times by replacing the toner.
Part 2: How to Clean Brother Toner Cartridge
Since laser printers operate using powdered toner, you will need to use specialized tools to remove all the tiny particles. Here are the specialized tools and equipment required to clean a toner cartridge effectively.
Required Equipment
Activated Toner Cloth: Easily remove particles after stretching a disposable cloth with a non-oily layer that collects particles.
Aerosol Spry Duster: Due to its fast evaporation and lack of residue, it is perfect for cleaning mechanical equipment. In this way, you will ensure that no residue remains after cleaning. Using the Air spray duster, you can clean areas hard to reach and blow away toner particles.
Latex Gloves: This is to keep the toner from clinging to your skin. Moreover, toner can cause severe allergic reactions in certain persons.
Face Mask: Toners contain a fine dust-like powder that you don’t want to breathe in.
Toner Vaccum: A toner vacuum is a powerful handheld device that gently removes toner from a laser printer.
Paintbrush: To be effective, toothbrushes have stiff and short bristles. A paintbrush with soft, half-inch-long bristles is appropriate.
Now let’s go to our main section on how to clean a Brother toner cartridge. Here are the steps to follow:
Switch off the Printer
It is a good idea to turn off the printer at the mains and allow it to cool if you have not done so recently. It takes time for laser printers to cool down after turning on.
Put on Latex Gloves and Dust Mask
Using toner particles in your lungs can cause significant health problems. Keeping gloves snug will prevent skin irritation.
Remove Toner Cartridge
Open the toner bottle or cartridge gently and take it out of the printer. If a drum cartridge is fitted, you should remove it as well. Keep the drum cartridge away from direct sunlight to avoid damage.
Remove Excess Toner
Remove any extra toner from the machine’s internal surfaces with a toner cloth. Typically, toner will often accumulate around the cartridge housing as well as on other difficult-to-access components. Be gentle when cleaning inside the machine, as some parts are delicate and expensive to fix if damaged.
Use Vaccum Cleaner
Turn on the vacuum cleaner and gently vacuum the inside of the laser printer with the narrow nozzle attachment. Ensure any toner powder or dirt is sucked up. Be careful not to force the nozzle into any components of your printer.
Brush Inside With Paintbrush
For hard-to-reach regions, use the brush tool to find any other toner particles. Once they have been dislodged, vacuum them back into place.
Clean Surfaces With Isopropyl Alcohol Wipes
They are ideal for cleaning electrical equipment since they dry rapidly. These are great for cleaning off grease marks after you’ve removed printer parts.
Reassemble the Components
Now it’s time to put the toner cartridge in. Afterward, close the printer, plug in the cord again, and turn it on for printing.
Part 3: How to Extend the Life of Brother Toner Cartridge
The following tips will help you to make your cartridges last longer:
Shake The Cartridge
Even though your prints may appear fading, your cartridges are not empty. It may be simply a matter of some ink clogging the nozzle. If the clog persists, you can gently shake the cartridge. After you are finished, re-insert it in the printer.
Proofread Your File
With a bit of proofreading, reprints can be avoided. Make it a habit to run spell-check before printing and spend a few extra minutes scanning the page for mistakes.
Avoid Bold and Large Fonts
Bold fonts and large letters can quickly deplete your ink cartridge. Make your text smaller or switch to a lighter font like Arial or New Courier to increase the lifespan of your cartridge.
Turn It off When Not Needed
The printhead can clog over time if the printer isn’t used. Don’t leave it on if you don’t use it. Furthermore, ink in the cartridge can also be dried out by the heat of the machine.
Try Ink-Saving Mode
Your printer settings may help you save ink. Changes can be made to the print quality, for example. In documents for personal use, choose “Fast Normal” or “Draft Mode.” The writing will appear lighter, but it will still be readable. Moreover, if you choose the grayscale option, everything will be printed in black and white, saving ink.
Preview Page Before Printing
You should not overlook the print preview feature that’s built into almost every document editor! When you select “File,” then “Print,” your document will automatically be converted into a preview in Microsoft Word. You can now review it one more time before sending it to the printer.
Conclusion
That’s all from our round-up regarding how to clean Brother toner cartridges. Hopefully, you have got the exact instructions for cleaning your toner cartridge. It is essential to ensure smooth and hassle-free printing. Furthermore, our tips on extending the lifespan of cartridges are practical. Just apply them to your printer, and you will find them helpful as well.