Ever wonder what toner is in your laser toner printer cartridges? Used in laser printers and photocopiers, toner is a fine dust-like powder synthesized from carbon and a polymer. It is fused onto paper by heat when you print.
There are many different types of toner cartridges available today. Original branded toner cartridges, compatible cartridges, and remanufactured toner cartridges which are cartridges that are given a new life by constructing them from tested used components. There is also another type of cartridge – refilled toner. Refilled toner is known to have a high failure rate and can leak or break leaving you with messy toner spills and a tiresome cleaning up process.
Although we don’t recommend you buy refilled toner, if you do find yourself in the middle of a toner spill, here are 5 ways to clean up:
1. Don’t use hot water! You might think that warm or hot water might do the trick, but remember toner melts in heat. Hot water will cause a sticky mess causing the powder to stick to your skin or clothing.
2. Removing toner from skin. If you have got toner bonded on your skin, it will usually take a few scrubs or a few washings to fade and get rid of completely. Cold water is best and you can also try using an abrasive cleaner to quicken the removal process.
3. Toner spills on clothing. Again when washing toner from your clothing, make sure to not use warm or hot water. If toner has fused onto your clothes, it’s more than likely a permanent stain that will not come off. If you’ve just got toner powder on your clothes then it’s an easier process. Use cold water to machine wash (you may need to run two cycles) and make sure not to put the clothing into a dryer or iron it before the stain is completely washed off.
4. Furniture and other surfaces. Wipe with a cloth dampened with cold water. NEVER use a standard vacuum cleaner as toner is static, and when combined with other dirt particles might ignite.
5. Toner spills on the printer. Most professionals who do toner refilling invest in an ESD-safe (Electrostatic Discharge-safe) toner vacuum. Make sure the vacuum has a HEPA filter and an electrically conductive hose.
Remember that toner spills can be easily prevented if you buy your toner cartridges from a reliable, trusted supplier. To find out more about toner cartridges that are compatible with your printer and come with a full warranty