Typewriter 101: THE CLEANING GUIDE!

What you desperately need is an ultrasonic cleaner.

Best advice yet! Thanks so much!

Can I use a McCoulagh high pressure steam cleaner on the typewriter?

So glad I found you!

I was offered a typewriter for free. The man opens it and types my name. I remarked on the dust I saw rise. He says it not dust it's mold. I instantly feel itchy
It's outside on my porch (protected from weather) I've had bad breathing reactions to mold. I'm scared of this little ,beautiful machine. I'm going to need a hazmat suit to clean it up.
It does work so that is going to save it from scrap heap. Thank you for these tips.

I have a suggestion about typewriters and a video you could do for those who are repairing their typewriter!

I'm not sure if you've done this already, but I think it would be very helpful if you made a video pressing each key on the typewriter with the outside frames of the typewriter off, showing each bolt and screw that each key moves.
My reason for suggesting this is that I recently got a 1928 Royal 10 typewriter and got the parts for each key to be put back together. My problem is that my shift keys don't work and I have to screw everything in place, but I don't have the references for it. I think I and others would benefit from it if you made a video of each key being used with the skeleton of the typewriter being shown as well. It could be shown to serve as a form of ASMR too!

I hope you take my suggestion into account if you haven't done something like this, have a nice day!

"Not the one I am using in my mouth..." ✍️

Hello, I have one type slug that has come off, the "N" head. Do I use a type of super glue to put it back on or do I sodder it back on?

Glad I found this video! I'm in the process of getting my great grandmothers old typewriter up and running again (I believe it's a Consul 232, though I can't be certain. If that's the case though, its around 60 years old and I'm so nervous to touch it haha). This has been a real help, I'm feeling a lot more confident that I won't have to take the whole machine apart or spend a fortune getting a professional to clean it. Thank you!

No lube?

This is awesome and SO useful. Thank you!

I'm using Dawn platinum powerwash on my 1st typewriter typefaces. Pray for me

I have recently acquired a new typewriter but the previous owner used to use A LOT of WD-40 without wiping it off. Some moving parts have become gummy like the bell ring, and the carriage return lever. I have tried blowing it and using a toothbrush with rubbing alcohol, the parts become free after cleaning but an hour later they get gummy again. I feel like when the alcohol evaporates and dries up it gets sticky again. These spots are hard to reach, not sure how to clean them at this point. Any advice?

Is there a way to keep the platen in good shape. Or a way to clean that. Or just any rubber such as the feet etc.

You should do a video on cleaning different case interiors. Such as the green fuzz on a Remington *Riter or almost cardboard sort of interior of a lettera22. Things of this nature require special techniques most of us haven't figured out and we'd love some tips.

For the type slugs specifically, I've had very good luck with brass brushes and naphtha lighter fluid. Just put a rag underneath, douse in fluid, scrub with a brass brush, add a little more fluid, wipe off with a rag, repeat until clean. You don't want to get lighter fluid into the segment, but if you make sure it only gets on the slugs it does a great job with dried ink.

This is one area where I'm struggling with my Olympia SG3. They powder coated the internals of the machine with yellow, red and blue paint, and I'm not sure if mineral spirits are going to remove that coating. So I've been stuck spot cleaning everything on the inside of the machine instead of being able to just use spirits.

Watching this after regrettably leaving behind a $65 Smith Corona electric typewriter I found at an antique shop. I can't get my mind off of it so I might just go back and buy it!

Rubbing alcohol would also work? Thanks.

Does this same apply for electric typewriters?? I just got my first one and it needs to be cleaned, but the motor makes me a little more nervous

Just remember that water, detergents (even so-called "mild" detergents) and water-based cleaners such as Simple Green aren't good for many types of plastics, as plastic is missive and will absorb moisture and cause dry-rot. I don't follow many people who are experts in the field, as they sometimes have no idea what they are doing for decades at a time, and are human like the rest of us. If you ever have a rock-hard platen on an old model, it is because the rubber has absorbed and released moisture from the air for many years, combined with the occasional soap-and-water used in good faith to remove residue and sometimes ink from children playing with the typewriter. Lighter fluid (naphtha) is what the majority of professionals use to remove gunk caused by grease that has lost its emollient oils over time (or dried chewing gum from surfaces) , but it is a crude product that degrades other crude products (such as plastic and rubber). I would avoid any and all derivatives of crude and stick with things that aren't going to degrade polycarbonate plastics (acetone, vaseline, motor oil, WD-40, and transmission fluid are all degrading to polycarbonate plastics and rubber) directly or in process over a period of time. Isopropyl alcohol is not a harsh solvent by any means, and should be the go-to product for everything on the typewriter that needs cleaning. Mineral spirits is probably correct, but very caustic, and may be replaced with ethyl alchohol where no paint or plastic can be harmed. Companies use something that is called a MSDS (Materials Safety Data Sheet) per OSHA requirements, but consumers have other options as well, if inhalation or skin/eye contact may be a problem.
If you place an ever-so-tiny bit of dielectric silicone grease on each tip of the finger with latex gloves on, and rub your fingers together to make a sheen on them, you can proceed to dab and rub your latex-gloved fingers all over the platen roller for about 7-10 minutes, and wipe off any excess (if any) with a cotton ball (be sure to get the ends with a Q-tip swab.) This will preserve what is left of the old rubber (as well as oxidized plastic) for several years to come.

I've probably watched this video a dozen times these past few days in preparation for giving my first typewriter a good clean!❤
I have a Smith Corona Classic 12 (Serial No. dates it between 1969/1970) that actually works way better than expected, having been an Ebay purchase. It looks pretty much like new, minus dust, a gross red toothpick that fell out the panel, and a large hair pin hidden under the keys.😂
But somehow the original ribbon got a bit shredded while still hooked in it, so there's a bunch of inky nylon dust/bits mucking up the innards.😭
Hopefully, fingers crossed, the clean goes as planned.

Привет Спасибо за отличные видео учебники. Ты супер. Слушаю тебя на скорости 0.75. ты говоришь со скоростью моего Underwood. Сегодня купил на блошином рынке smith corona Благодаря тебе почистить ее очень просто

I just got my first typing machines, both portable ones which come in cases: An early 1970s wide-carriage Erika Daro Mod. 41 and a tiny Triumph Tippa, which is actually small enough to realistically take with you while traveling.

The Erika seems to need less work, and is already working pretty well, so I'd like to start with that. To my surprise, it seems to be bolted onto the bottom of the carrying case, and I'm not sure how can I actually remove it for proper cleaning. Also not sure if I can safely remove the plastic shell protecting the internals, except for the flimsy top panel.

Extremely helpful and thorough video.

How can you clean the underside/inside with mineral spirits without it leaking or getting onto the rubber roller? Wouldn't you need to remove the paper roller first?
I just got a 1967 Aristocrat Portable Typewriter and it needs a good cleaning. The letters are very faint when typing

Ya got any suggestions for more modern, 70s and 80s typewriters that use more eletrical components? More along the lines of chip and or parts replacement.

Hi. I just got a silver reed type writer. Just watched this video for the cleaning process and best ways. If it has some rust on it, what's they safest way to help with that? Thanks

Very informational video! Thank you so much for this. I hope you will see my comment and are able to help. I am currently cleaning a Remington Quiet Riter. the machine is smelly. I have purchased simple green. But am also spray painting it to match my aesthetic. I would like to know how you change the felt inside the panels since it is where I see most of the nasty. And probably contributes to the smell. There was even dry small bugs. So I want to remove that felt. Is there a way to paint the keys.? Are they removable? Please keep in mind I am not reselling my machine. I am using it to add notes to my journaling and maybe writing letters. I have already spray painted some panels. So i painted over the name “quiet riter” but “Remington” sticks out so I will repaint that. Thank you so much for your time,
Anahi

Ha. I noticed you are cleaning a Remington Quiet-riter and it appears you have the same problem in that the lid will not stay open. Annoying, gotta say.

I've just been gifted a vintage AMC Avona/Alpina from Western Germany (1957) model. It's in great shape but does need cleaning up. I ordered the air in a can prior to watching this video, glad I thought of the right thing. All of this is super helpful. Thanks a bunch!

Can Graphite dry lube be used?

I am finally going to start cleaning my first typewriter. This video is incredibly helpful! Thanks for creating it!
I want, but have never used mineral spirits. Do you use gloves and a respiratory mask? Also, how do you dispose of rags?

Is there anything against using acetone? Wondering because it does evaporate quicker.

Brilliant, clear, tons of information, beautiful

Do you have an Amazon link for the small air compressor hand held?

Perfect timing, just bought a vintage Olivetti so I can type up documents. Thank you very informative.

Hi, thanks for the video. I just purchased a Remington Streamliner ( late 69s and 70s) in light blue. Do have any recommendations for taking off paint splatter? There some white and yellow paint streaks on it that haven’t come off with cleaner.

Great video! I just bought a R.C.Allen typewriter, all features work except when the keys are pressed the space bar doesn’t move the paper. Would you know the problem, or direct me to information to solve the issue. I can’t find a maintenance video for this issue. Thanks again for making your video.

Thanks I’ll check my margins, and continue watching your videos.

This is a great video. I'm planning on using a typewriter for work because I am not going to pay for Microsoft Word when I can just look like some crazy 1900s dude clacking away on one of these babies. I was really worried about maintenance, but it turns out not to be that bad, I can even make videos on cleaning it and it won't stray too far from my channel's main subject. Very good video, and hopefully I can get a typewriter soon!

Your going to cringe but i sometimes use w30 auto oil does clog but is easy to clean out this is mostly for my pre war typewriters

New favorite channel ❤ sorry I’m late to the party 🎉

You are Adorable.... thanks a lot for making a useful content ....

Any suggests on cleaning a platen? Mine has weird splotches on it

I just purchased a Olivetti Lettera 22 from eBay and I can’t wait to use it. It’s adorable!

What happens if I ruin the finish? Is there a paint or something to remove the discoloration?

Beautiful hands!

Just got my first typewriter and it needs a little work. This was so incredibly helpful and easy to follow. I can't thank you enough for making this!

Would regular rubbing alcohol do the trick?