How to Clean a Chip Credit Card Reader

Cleaning a chip credit card reader is essential to ensure its effectiveness and longevity. Here’s a simple guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Switch Off the Device

Start by turning off your chip credit card reader before cleaning it. This helps protect the electronic components inside the machine.

Step 2: Use a Card Reader Cleaner

Card reader cleaners are typically shaped like credit cards but feature a microfiber strip instead of a chip. Insert the cleaner into the reader slot, then remove it. Repeat this process several times to remove any dust or debris. For more options, check out our cleaning cards category.

Step 3: Manual Cleaning

For stubborn dirt, use a can of compressed air to blow dust out of the card slot. Always hold the can upright to prevent the propellant from entering the machine and causing damage.

Step 4: Gentle Wiping

For the exterior of your reader, use a soft, lint-free cloth slightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol. Wipe the surface gently and avoid getting moisture in any openings.

Step 5: Dry Completely

Allow the card reader to dry completely before turning it back on. This prevents any moisture-related damage to the internal components.

Regular cleaning of your chip credit card reader can help maintain its functionality and extend its lifespan. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines when cleaning your device to avoid causing any damage.

Advanced Cleaning with Specialized Cleaning Cards

The Waffletechnology® chip cleaning card features a raised waffle design that cleans all surfaces—including chip reader pins—more thoroughly than standard cleaner cards. Alternatively, consider a Read Right CardKleen cleaning card, which can clean any magnetic strip reader or point-of-sale reader head with one swipe.

These CardKleen cards arrive individually wrapped and pre-saturated with a special solution to dissolve magnetic oxides, dirt, and other contaminants on your smart card/EMV and magnetic strip card readers. Additionally, our KicTeam brand cash reader and currency counter cleaning cards use waffle technology to clean currency reading machines’ paper pathways, belts, rollers, and recessed cash recognition sensors.

Waffletechnology® Cleaning Cards

Did you know that Clean Team Company patented the dual-purpose cleaning card in 1996? The original patent was later rebranded as KIcTeam. Their Waffletechnology® brand remains the leading solution for cleaning card readers. In fact, Waffletechnology® by KicTeam is considered the gold standard in cleaning card technology worldwide.

Regular use of card cleaners can eliminate the frustration of card failure due to a dirty reader. Waffletechnology® cleaning cards help prevent expensive maintenance and replacement costs, reduce failed transactions, and ultimately save time and money while maximizing customer satisfaction. Your customers will appreciate your reliability when you maintain clean, efficient card readers.

The design of Waffletechnology® cleaning cards allows them to flexibly assimilate dirt from both the top and bottom surfaces of the reader. The cleaning platforms are loaded with springs that increase pressure as the card passes through, ensuring that recessed sensors and optical lenses are thoroughly cleaned. Unlike flat cleaning cards, the engineered raised design ensures that all sensors receive a proper cleaning contact.

Who Should Use Cleaning Cards?

Due to environmental conditions and an increased number of user transactions, devices can gather dust, paper flash, oils, dirt, and small sand particles that may cause appliances to underperform or fail. Waffletechnology® cleaning cards are designed in collaboration with OEMs to clean various devices, including:

• Card readers
• Check scanners
• Thermal printers
• Currency counters
• MICR or check readers
• Bill acceptors

Benefits of Cleaning Cards

Regular use of cleaning cards can help prevent several issues:

• Reduced risk of card malfunction and customer embarrassment due to unreadable cards.
• Faster transactions and shorter lines, leading to improved customer satisfaction.
• Lower transaction fees and decreased fraud risks by minimizing manual entry errors.
• Reduced maintenance costs and avoidance of device replacement expenses.
• A positive first impression for your customers with reliable, functioning equipment.

Cleaning Specific Devices

Clean Thermal Printers

Thermal printers can accumulate paper flash and label residue with each use, leading to print errors and jams. Regularly cleaning the print head and platen rollers with a Waffletechnology® cleaning card increases the lifespan of your printer and reduces downtime. Neglected maintenance can result in faded receipts or poor barcode prints, wasting labor and resources.

Clean Currency Counter Machines

Currency counters are prone to collecting oil and soil particles from cash. Accumulated dirt can cause rollers to slip and sensors to fail. Using Waffletechnology® cleaning cards helps maintain the device’s efficiency and prevents costly service interruptions.

Clean Bill Acceptors

Bill acceptors use optical lenses and magnetic sensors to verify currency. Without regular cleaning, these devices may malfunction, leading to customer frustration and increased service expenses.

Where to Get Cleaning Cards

Regular use of cleaning cards, such as those featuring Waffletechnology®, results in increased sales, productivity, customer satisfaction, and profits. The benefits of regular maintenance with a quality cleaning card far outweigh the costs.

Not sure if it’s what you need? Contact Harmony Lab & Safety Supplies—your source for cleaning cards, niche wipes, and disinfectants to properly clean your thermal printers, card readers, and other devices. With over a decade of experience, we are committed to providing the highest level of customer satisfaction.

Conclusion

Keeping your chip credit card reader clean is essential for ensuring its optimal performance and longevity. By following these simple steps—turning off the device, using a dedicated card reader cleaner, applying compressed air for stubborn debris, and gently wiping the exterior—you can maintain a consistently reliable reader.

For a deeper, more effective clean, consider advanced cleaning solutions like Waffletechnology® cleaning cards. These specialized cards are engineered to thoroughly clean even the most recessed sensors, reducing the risk of failed transactions and costly maintenance.

Regular maintenance not only extends the lifespan of your equipment but also helps enhance customer satisfaction by ensuring smooth and reliable transactions. Invest in quality cleaning products from Harmony Lab & Safety Supplies to keep your devices running at their best. To learn more, visit our cleaning cards category.