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.
Here are some facts you might need to know about cleaning up and storing toner powder.
NEVER wash toner powder off with hot water. Hot water will cause the toner powder to melt and will therefore bind it to skin or clothing even more. Always use cold water when cleaning up spilt toner. If you use cold water there should be no problems with clean up.
Toner that has fused to skin will fade away over time. Abrasive cleaner and cold water can help speed up this process of removing the toner bound to skin. 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.
The general 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.
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.
If toner spills onto the printer, remember to use an ESD safe (Electrostatic Discharge safe) toner vacuum, most shop vacuums have this feature. 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.
When storing toner and toner cartridges you should always try to keep it in a cool dry place, do not store toner or toner cartridges in high humidity as this could cause the toner to melt. Toner and toner cartridges that are stored properly should last approximately 2 – 3 years.
Toner in most cases is completely harmless, but when storing; remember to keep away from small children as breathing in large amounts or ingestion of the toner could cause serious problems. Take care when handling toner directly as it can be harmful if handled incorrectly.
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.
Be reassured that the toner you are using in your printer is top quality dedicated toner and not a universal toner used by some less reputable companies. Store all of your toner in perfect conditions so that you are guaranteed top performance.
There are environmental benefits to refilling the toner cartridges of laser printers. The environmental impact of the toner itself is the same whether it is delivered in cartridges or by itself, but a single cartridge is reused several times, eliminating much of the impact of manufacture and distribution.
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