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Are your documents coming out smudged? Are the beautiful colours of your photographs smeared everywhere? Your toner drum may need a clean. <\/span><\/p>\n While this can sound like an imposing task, it\u2019s only slightly more difficult than just changing the cartridge. In fact, for many printers it\u2019s identical \u2013 some manufacturers integrate the drum directly into the cartridge, so every time you change the cartridge you\u2019re providing a brand new drum for your machine. <\/span><\/p>\n As such, this guide will assume that your machine has a built-in, non-replaceable drum. If that\u2019s you, read on and let Toner City show you how you can get silky smooth, razor sharp prints again. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Automatic cleaning <\/b><\/p>\n First things first, let the machine have a go. Most modern printers offer an automatic cleaning mode that can fix your problem for you. The exact mechanism of this cleaning procedure will differ based on the make, model and design of your machine, but regardless it should be run about once a month or so. <\/span><\/p>\n But if after running it you\u2019re finding that your pages are still a smudged mess, don\u2019t despair. A manual clean could be just the thing to help keep your unit in top condition, and it\u2019s not that hard at all. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Safety first <\/b><\/p>\n Before you get started, a few things you need to be aware of. Toner powder is extremely fine and can contain compounds such as silica and carbon powder which can be hazardous when inhaled or come into contact with bare skin. For this reason, we highly recommend wearing gloves and a surgical mask when cleaning a toner drum for your own protection. <\/span><\/p>\n Now that you\u2019re protected, it\u2019s time to do the same for the drum and the rest of your property. Like we said, toner dust is very fine \u2013 not only is it easy to inhale, it has a habit of getting everywhere. For the safety of your possessions, take the time to put down a tarp or piece of cloth where you\u2019re going to be working, and try not to do it on the dining table! <\/span><\/p>\n