29.02.2024

How to Safely Clean and Maintain Your Paper Shredder

It’s important to look after your paper shredder. Some, like Leitz paper shredders, will come with a range of features designed to keep them working efficiently and safely. Even so, there may be a few things you need to do to keep your shredder working at an optimum level. In this article, we explain the best and safest way to clean your paper shredder, how to deal with a jam, and best practices to keep your paper shredder working properly.

How to clean a paper shredder

Before you clean your paper shredder machine, you should turn it off and unplug it from the mains. This will ensure there’s no danger of the machine accidentally turning on when your hands are near the blades.

You should avoid removing any covers or parts of the machine that are not intended to be removed. Some shredders may have a top cover that has been designed to be removed. If your shredder has this, you should only take it off once the machine has been unplugged.

Once it is safe to do so, you can clean the blades by wiping gently with a dry lint-free cloth or paper towel. This should be enough to remove any build-up of dust or paper, as well as any ink smudges.

You should avoid using spray cleaners on the machine, as this can cause a flash fire. If you have spilled something on the paper shredder and need to clean it off, you can use rubbing alcohol.

You should always apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a lint-free cloth first and never pour the rubbing alcohol directly onto the machine. You can then wipe the cloth over the dirt to remove it.

The rubbing alcohol should dry quickly, but you can use a clean cloth to wipe up any residue. Always ensure the machine is fully dry before turning it back on again.

How to deal with a paper jam

One of the best ways to avoid having to deal with paper jams is to purchase a high-quality paper shredder. Leitz’s shredders have smart anti-jam technology which automatically stops and reverses out the paper if too much is inserted.

If your shredder jams, there are a few steps for dealing with it safely, protecting yourself and the machine.

In the rare occasion your Leitz shredder jams, you can simply use the reverse button to clear it. On most models, this means pressing and holding the reverse button for two seconds, then pressing and holding the forward button for two seconds. Repeat until the jam has been cleared. Avoid alternating too quickly between forward and reverse, as this can damage the motor.

If your paper shredder doesn’t come with a reverse button or anti-jam function, you will have to manually remove the paper. First, unplug the shredder. You can then attempt to pull the paper out of the machine. Sometimes, you might be able to get underneath the blades by accessing the paper bin. You may need to use tweezers, pliers or scissors if the paper has become tangled.

You can also try adding shredder oil to the blades to soften the paper that’s stuck there. Apply a small amount of oil to the blades and leave it for around 10 minutes. You should then be able to easily remove the paper.

Once you have cleared the jam, allow your machine time to cool down. You can also take this opportunity to empty the bin, to make sure this won’t cause an issue. Once the machine is cool, you should put one sheet of paper through it to check it’s working properly.

Best practices and tips to maintain your paper shredder

There are a few easy steps to take to keep your paper shredder working efficiently.

Oil your shredder regularly

Your shredder should be oiled often to keep the blades in good working condition. The easiest way to do this is with shredder oil sheets. Simply put a sheet through your shredder frequently - we recommend using a sheet every third time the bin is emptied. A micro cut shredder might need to be oiled more regularly due to the size and intricacy of the blades.

With oil sheets, you won’t have to worry about spills or messes. The alternative is to use shredder oil, that can be applied from the bottle and squirted onto the blades. You should make sure the shredder is turned off when you do this.

Once you have applied the oil to the blades, you should run the blades in reverse for around 20 seconds to evenly distribute the oil. You can then run one piece of paper through the blades to absorb any excess oil.

You should never use aerosol oils on your shredder. These contain petroleum and can be a fire hazard.

Your paper shredder manual will advise the best way to keep your specific machine lubricant, so always check it if you’re unsure.

Keep your shredder clean

Keeping your shredder clean and free of dust and debris will help to keep it working properly and avoid jamming. Generally, your paper shredder will only need a light dusting around once a month or so, depending on how much you use it.

Remember to always unplug the machine first if you will be cleaning the blades.

Don’t overload the shredder

Check your paper shredder manual for its maximum capacity. A heavy duty shredder will be able to take many more sheets of paper than a home shredder, for example.

Make sure you always adhere to the stated maximum capacity and never put more paper in it than is directed. Doing so can cause a jam and even damage the machine and the blades.

You should also ensure you empty the bin when it is full. Some paper shredders might have a function that lets you know when the bin is full, so you can clear it out. Doing so will help to prevent jams.

Only shred the right materials

Some shredders can shred credit cards, CDs, and staples. Others can only shred paper. You should check the manual of your paper shredder so you know exactly what it can shred. Attempting to shred the wrong material can cause damage to the machine and also be dangerous for the user.

You should also check whether your paper shredder is able to shred documents that have adhesive labels on them. On most shredders, the adhesive can build up on the blades and cause permanent damage.

Allow cool-down time

Most shredders will have a maximum continuous run time. After this period, they will need to be left to cool down. This prevents the machine from overheating, which will stop the internal mechanisms from getting damaged. If a machine overheats too much, it can even in some cases cause a fire.

Leitz paper shredders have a safety feature with an LED light that will indicate when the machine needs to be left to cool down. If your machine doesn’t have this, you will need to be aware of how long you have been using your shredder and if it is getting hot and/or making unusual noises that suggest it might need a break.

Typically, a shredder will be able to be used continuously for 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the model. After this time, you should allow it to cool down completely before you use it again.

Register for warranty

You should always ensure your paper shredder is registered with the warranty. This will mean you can easily keep it running during the warranty period if any unexpected breakages happen.

When you buy a Leitz IQ Paper Shredder, you can increase your warranty protection from two years to three, completely free of charge. You only need to register your product to access the additional year, as well as find useful support resources and make a warranty claim.

Leitz has a range of paper shredders for your home and office, helping you to keep your data secure and work efficiently.

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