Laser Toner Spills and Cleaning Up - Facts You Need to Know

Toner is the powder used in laser printers and photocopiers to form the printed text and graphics on paper. It is carbon powder combined with polymer, melted by the heat of the printer's fuser, which binds the mixture onto paper.

In older printer models, toner powder was poured into receptacles in the machine. Refilling was quite a tedious and messy process until laser toner cartridges were introduced along with the newer and more compact laser printers. Thanks to these brilliant inventions, replenishing printers with toner supply has become a cinch. Slip-ups can still happen, though; a bad quality cartridge could leak or break open and leave you and your printer in a bind. Here are some facts you might need to know about cleaning up toner powder.

1. NEVER wash toner powder off with warm, much less hot water. Warm or hot water will cause the toner powder to melt and will therefore bind it to skin or clothing even more.

2. Toner that has fused to skin will fade away over several washings. Abrasive cleaner and cold water can help speed up the removal of toner bound to skin.

3. Remember not to wash toner-stained clothing in warm or hot water. Toner powder that has melted into clothing can never be washed off and will stain permanently. Unfused toner easily washes off from most washable clothing; rule of thumb is to never let the toner get into contact with any source of heat as it is a type of wax with a very low melting point. If garment will be machine-washed, do so in two cycles and remember to use cold water, especially during the first cycle. Use a milder soap like (hand) dishwashing liquid on the first cycle, then a regular laundry detergent for the second. Toner residue is almost certain to remain in the rinse water of the first cycle and this may cause permanent graying. Avoid using the clothes dryer or ironing until toner has been totally removed from the garment.

4. Toner spills on furniture and other surfaces must only be wiped off with a cold, damp cloth. Never use an ordinary household vacuum cleaner to clean up toner as it has electrostatic properties and can ignite when rubbed against other particles. Also, toner particles are very, very fine that vacuum cleaner bags may not be able to filter them or prevent the powder from blowing through back into the room.

5. If toner spills onto the printer, remember to use an ESD-safe (Electrostatic Discharge-safe) toner vacuum. For larger spills on any other surface that will require you to use a vacuum cleaner, remember to use one that is equipped with an electrically conductive hose and a high efficiency (HEPA) filter for effective cleaning.

Laser printing has become an easy and cost-effective procedure thanks to continuous product development efforts. Spills and similar toner accidents can easily be prevented by purchasing toner cartridges from reputable suppliers. Choose your laser toner cartridge provider with caution to keep your laser printing experience pleasant and worry-free. For more information on toner cartridges, please visit lasertonerzone.com Laser Toner Zone.

Patricia Lorenza is a freelance writer from Los Angeles. Her roster of clients include various ecommerce sites and web design companies around Southern California. Patricia specializes in content management and article keyword optimization.