How to take care of a Typewriter?

So, you’ve got a typewriter! or you’re planning to get one soon and you’re wondering, “How can I maintain my typewriter and keep it in good working order?” If your typewriter has been recently serviced or restored by a professional, I’ve got you covered with practical tips to keep it clicking smoothly. These suggestions are tailored for typewriters in good condition not dusty finds from eBay or Etsy that might need a full overhaul. Let’s dive into the essentials of typewriter care.

1. Keep Your Typewriter Covered

Dust is a typewriter’s worst enemy it sneaks into the mechanisms and can clog the segments over time. To prevent this:

• Get a Proper Cover: After buying a restored typewriter, opt for its original cover if available, or have a custom one made by a local tailor to fit perfectly. Skip those flimsy, one-size-fits-all plastic covers they don’t do the job well.
• Display Smartly: If your typewriter is just for show, store it in a dust-proof glass cabinet or use a transparent acrylic display cover (I use these for some of ours!).
• Use the Case: Planning to store it for a while? Pop it into its original carrying case to keep dust at bay.
• Dust Regularly: A quick wipe-down now and then keeps buildup under control.

2. Find the Right Spot

Location matters when it comes to typewriter longevity. Here’s the golden rule:

• Avoid Extremes: Keep it away from open windows, direct sunlight, fireplaces, or heaters. Sunlight and heat can soften the rubber platen and washers, causing them to flatten over time.
• Ideal Conditions: Store it in a room with moderate temperature not too hot, not too cold.
• Stable Surface: Place it on a sturdy desk, especially if it’s one of those hefty desktop models.

3. Use a Non-Slip Pad

A good non-slip pad is a game-changer for two reasons:

• Stability & Protection: It keeps your typewriter steady while you type and protects your desk from scratches.
• Quieter Typing: It dampens that classic clacking noise just a bit.

At Mr & Mrs Vintage Typewriters, we’ve designed and tested our own typewriter pads for over two years, and they’ve earned rave reviews from hundreds of happy customers. You can find them on our website Here !

4. Avoid Liquid Correction Fluids & Rubber Erasers

Here’s a big one: correction fluids and erasers are trouble. They leave residues that build up between segments and rails, gumming up your typewriter over time. Instead:

• Use Correction Paper: Opt for correction paper slides, they’re less messy and still available on our site (Here). Say no to liquid correctors and erasers at all costs!

5. Use a Backing Sheet

What’s a backing sheet? Simple, it’s adding a second sheet of paper behind the one you’re typing on. Why bother?

• Better Impressions: It improves print quality.
• Protects Parts: It preserves the platen and key heads longer.
• Prevents Punch-Through: If your platen’s hard, it stops keys from piercing the paper.

Paper Tip: Use paper between 85gsm and 100gsm. Thinner sheets slip, and thicker ones can jam or damage your key types. Curious about paper choices? Check our special blog on it, linked below!

6. Regularly Clean the Key Types

The “key type” (or key slug) is the lettered head of the typebar that strikes the paper. After lots of typing, dried ink builds up, especially on letters with closed shapes like “a,” “e,” “g,” “p,” or “d.” To keep prints crisp:

• Brush It Off: Use a bristle brush to gently clean the key slugs, no hard scrubbing!
• Stubborn Ink: For tough spots, a tiny drop of mineral spirits helps. I use metal dental picks for precision, then brush away residue but be careful if you try this.

7. Don’t Wash Your Typewriter

Water and typewriters don’t mix, ever! Even if you dry it well, rust will creep in eventually. And dunking it in mineral spirits or other liquids? That’s a no-go too, it can loosen springs, harm plastic or rubber parts, and doesn’t even clean effectively. Keep it dry and simple.

8. Don’t Oil Your Typewriter

I can’t stress this enough: do not oil your typewriter. I cringe when people say they’ve “oiled it up” to make it work better, it’s a myth! Oil attracts dust and dirt, turning into a greasy mess that sticks keys and slows mechanisms. If your typewriter’s been professionally serviced, it doesn’t need oil to run smoothly. 

Typewriter Professionals know how to use it sparingly for cleaning specific parts, but that’s not your job. Leave it alone, and let your typewriter shine without the grime.

Final Thoughts