When some of our customers have trouble with their postage meters, it may be due to a simple cleaning issue. Troubleshooting a postage meter can eat up your time (which you don’t have a lot of), so to avoid this happening in the first place, it is a good idea to keep a postage meter cleaning kit on hand.

We have a few different styles, which you can purchase very affordably (click here to see). Although most postage meters come with a few various cleaning supplies, having an extra kit can be a good “preventative measure” for you to consider keeping your business running smoothly.

But you may wonder why – and how – to clean your postage meter?

For starters, you’ll need a few simple things. An air duster, lint-free cloth, some alcohol swabs and wipes, cleaning solution and perhaps a pair of gloves if you are worried about germs.

Here are 10 pointers to clean your postage meter:

1. First, use common sense. Unplug it from the wall and never clean it while it is still plugged in, for safety’s sake.
2. Protect your hands from the dust and alcohol swabs with disposable gloves.
3. Wipe the entire surface top of the postage meter. Use the lint-free cloth and for best results, make sure it is slightly damp (but not soaking wet).
4. Take the can of air and spray it underneath and along the inside of the postage meter. The air will help to loosen dirt and dust that is caked on in the interior. Don’t forget the crevices and hard-to-reach spots. Don’t blow the dirt onto the rollers or sensors; blow it in the opposite direction.
5. Take the cotton swabs and wipe the buttons across the front, which helps to remove dirt from frequent pressing.
6. Use the special meter solution to wipe the interior postage meter rollers. The damp cloth also works well for this step.
7. Next, you can use an alcohol-free swab or wipe to get it shiny.
8. After you get the postage meter looking sparkly new again, you can give it another rub with the lint-free cloth to loosen and remove any residue or dust that you have loosened.
9. Check the ribbon/tape to make sure none of the pieces have ripped and gotten stuck inside the postage meter. This can also be a critical troubleshooting tip, because improperly fed tape is one hassle that is most often the root of an improperly working postage meter.
10. Lastly, do this once every other week or so to prevent lost worktime and to keep your postage meter running in tip-top shape!