Purchasing a shredder for either domestic or business use can be a large investment. If not maintained properly, you can run into a range of problems that could end up costing even more money in repairs and replacements.
Maintenance problems can occur due to a lack of care or knowledge. Many people are not fully aware of what needs to be done to keep a shredder in perfect working order. This lack of knowledge is very common and has cost numerous businesses a financial loss that could have easily been prevented.
In this article, we will describe the correct maintenance processes needed to keep your shredder functioning without any complications or damages.
Keep Your Shredder Lubricated
One of the most important maintenance tips for all types of shredders is to regularly lubricate the shredder blades. This is because the lubrication of your blades will diminish over time, which can cause the effectiveness of the shredder's blades to decrease.
This means that the machine will shred much slower, and will also start to jam up. If the blades are left unlubricated for a prolonged period of time, then it could significantly reduce the ability of the shredder. It could cause more long-term problems that require intricate fixes.
How often you should lubricate your shredder blades is very much dependent on how often the shredder is used. If you are only using the shredder occasionally, then a simple lubrication every 2 months should suffice. However, if you are using your shredder daily, then you should start thinking about a regular schedule of around every 2 weeks.
How To Apply Lubrication To A Shredder
There are several ways to apply lubricant to a shredder. One of the simplest ways of doing this is through the use of shredder lubricant sheets. Lubricant sheets are simply put through the shredder, and evenly distribute shredder oil or lubricants around the blades.
Shredder oil is probably the most effective lubricant for shredders, and can also be applied very easily. There are two main methods of applying oils. One of these methods is to simply take your shredder oil and evenly spread a small amount onto a piece of paper. You can then put the paper through the shredder, and it will evenly distribute the oil around the blades in a similar fashion to lubrication sheets.
The second way of lubricating shredder blades is to gently pour the oil along the paper input line. You do this by setting the shredder to manual mode, pouring the oil along the paper insert line, and running the shredder in reverse for 10-20 seconds.
Our Shredder Lubrication
Whitaker Brothers 2-Gallon Case of Shredder Oil
Whitaker Brothers 6-Pint Case of Shredder Oil
MBM Destroyit Paper Shredder Oil (4 x 1 pint) - CED214
Keep Your Shredder Clean
As with all electrical appliances/machinery, regularly cleaning your shredder is an integral part of its maintenance. A dirty shredder that is never emptied or cleaned has a much higher chance of breaking down and needing repairs. Therefore, a regular cleaning process will help to prolong the life of your shredder and keep it effective and efficient.
If you do not clean your shredder, then you should expect to see a build-up of paper particles and dust. An excessive build-up will have a considerable impact on the motor, and therefore the functionality of the shredder.
It is recommended that you clean your shredder every month. However, this very much depends on your usage. If you use your shredder multiple times a day, then a regular cleaning schedule could be necessary to make sure that it can function properly.
How To Clean A Shredder
1 - The first and most important step of cleaning a shredder is to unplug the shredder at the outlet. This is a safety precaution to make sure that you are safe, and can clean your shredder with zero complications.
2 - Once the shredder is unplugged, you can start to disassemble it. You can do this by simply removing the lid from the main container. If you find this step difficult, then take a look in your user manual to avoid damaging anything.
3 - You can start to clean the blades with a cloth or a piece of fabric. When cleaning, you need to make sure that any dust, ink, paper shreds, or any other debris is fully out of the blades.
4 - You can use a very small amount of soapy water, and a damp cloth to gently clean the blades while making sure to keep your hands safe. Once this is done, simply dry it with a fabric or cloth.
Allow For Cool-off Periods
Another way of helping with the regular maintenance of your shredder is to give it cool-off periods. When shredders are being used for a long period, they can become overheated. While this will most likely not cause any complications at the time, it can damage the overall lifespan of the shredder if consistently done.
These cool-off periods do not need to be long periods. The time that a shredder needs to cool-off depends on the model that you have. Higher-quality shredders may only need around 30 seconds every so often just to make sure that it does not get overworked.
These cool-off breaks are by no means necessary. However, they are recommended as a way of prolonging the lifespan of what was probably an expensive piece of machinery. This is a maintenance tip that will show its worth down the line.
Do Not Overload The Shredder
While most shredders will state exactly what their capacity is, it is not uncommon for people and businesses to push these machines past their limits. This often means that machines are being overused beyond their capabilities, which is then resulting in damages and costly repairs.
When using a shredder, abiding by its stated capacities is vital. These capacities are shown so that the shredders are not given loads that they cannot cope with. If you are regularly overloading them, then you should not be surprised when they start to break down and become faulty.
If a shredder has a capacity of 300 sheets, then trying to load 350 sheets will not abide by the mechanics of the machine. As we have stated previously, these machines can be very expensive. It is therefore important to treat them with care to lengthen their lifespan and to ensure that you get the most out of your initial investment.
High-Quality Shredders & Shredder Accessories From Whitaker Brothers
Here at Whitaker Brothers, we carry a huge collection of the highest-quality commercial-grade shredders and shredder accessories for all your document shredding and data destruction needs. Whether you are seeking a robust device designed for high volumes and demanding environments, or a more lightweight machine for use at home or a small office, we have something for you.
