Cleaning and Maintaining Your Typewriter

CARE AND FEEDING OF YOUR TYPEWRITER

1. Keep your typewriter covered when not in use. Typewriters tend to collect dust. A simple cloth will do fine.

2. Don’t use liquid correction fluid (Wite-Out) or an eraser. Liquid correction fluid is messy and tends to drip on the platen and eraser shavings enter the internal mechanism and cause malfunctions that are difficult to clean. 

3. Dust your machine regularly. Take a lint-free cloth and dust the exterior parts of your typewriter. 

4. Use two sheets of paper when you type. Rubber hardens with age and what used to be a soft rubbery platen is now likely to be quite hard. A second sheet of paper will not only provide a better impression but also helps protect the platen and type slugs.

5. Recommended paper type: For best results, use papers that are between 24-32 lb. Standard copy paper (20 lb) is fine when using two sheets.

6. Ribbons: Ink ribbons are available through Amazon and other suppliers (just Google your typewriter model) for around $10. Don't worry, they are always available. 

7. Never use WD40. It is not necessary to lubricate your typewriter. WD40 tends to dry out over time and leaves a sticky residue that attracts dust and grime. 

8. Sticking Keys: After sitting unused for a few weeks or months, you may experience a few sticking keys. Not to worry. Just put a few drops of alcohol or degreaser in the segment until the sticky key moves freely.

9. If it ain’t broke—don’t fix it. Some typewriter owners have a fully-functional machine and think—because it has a quirk or two—that they should tear it apart or do something drastic to make it perfect.  If the issue is not affecting the typing experience or not harming the machine, consider leaving it be! Call it “character” :)

10. If something needs fixing, get advice. Ask your fellow typewriter owners or go to our Facebook page and post your question. Check our website page for upcoming Workshops where you can get first hand advise on how to resolve the issue.  You can also Google your issue; search YouTube; a lot of helpful advice is sure to turn up. Find a good local repairperson (ask around or check out our website for repair resources).

Some helpful resources:

• The Classic Typewriter Page - https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/ 

• Facebook -  https://www.facebook.com/groups/TypewriterCollectors/

• Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/ 

• Joe Van Cleave’s Typewriter Video Series - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwMhC_klUByWIbe0HprPjr3ckQx4SzvQ1 

• 5 Tips for Beginning Typists, The Typewriter Revolution with Richard Polt (YouTube)

• You need to watch California Typewriter (Prime Video) and read Richard Polt’s The Typewriter Revolution

• Atlanta Typewriter Club – www.atltypewriterclub.com