Lubricating the paper shredder in the office is an essential routine. Although the frequency of lubrication depends on the type of engine and the intensity of its use, you should still lubricate the engine occasionally. When the paper shredder is used, the paper grains will form so that they can stick to the blades of the machine. Follow the simple steps below to keep your paper shredder in good condition.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using Paper
Step 1. Place a piece of paper on a plane
Place a sheet of paper (preferably letter or A4 size) on an area that can be cleaned of grease. Oil can drip in these areas. So, make sure you use a surface that won't be damaged if it gets splashed with oil.
Step 2. Look for a lubricant recommended by the engine manufacturer
Purchase a lubricant recommended by your shredder manufacturer. Paper shredders need a different lubricant that is usually sold by the machine seller.
If you are using an old and/or out-of-warranty shredder, use canola oil instead of lubricant. The lubricants sold by some manufacturers are actually just repackaged canola oil so you can save money by buying the oil outright
Step 3. Apply lubricant to the paper in a zigzag pattern
Drizzle the oil in a zigzag fashion on one side of the paper. Don't drip too much oil onto the paper so it doesn't fall apart.
Make sure the oil zigzag pattern runs from side to side for more efficiency
Step 4. Turn on the paper shredder and crush the oil-soaked paper
Crush the grease-coated paper by putting it in a paper shredder. When the paper is crushed, the oil will hit the blades of the machine and lubricate them. This will allow the machine to operate more smoothly.
Make sure the paper is not folded and damaged so as not to cause malfunction of the machine
Step 5. Put several sheets of paper into the shredder to absorb excess oil
Insert several sheets of paper into the machine so that it can absorb the remaining oil on the blades.
Method 2 of 2: Lubricating the Paperless Shredder
Step 1. Purchase a lubricant recommended by the engine manufacturer
Purchase a lubricant specifically recommended by the machine manufacturer for your shredder. Each machine uses a special lubricant that is usually sold by the machine manufacturer.
If you are using an old and/or out-of-warranty shredder, use canola oil instead of lubricant. The lubricants sold by some manufacturers are actually just repackaged canola oil so you can save money by buying the oil directly
Step 2. Set the shredder to manual mode
Manual settings on the shredder allow you to control the direction of rotation of the blade and the duration of its movement. You need this function to lubricate the paper.
Step 3. Spray a little oil in the hole used to load the paper
Keep the engine off, then spray the oil along the hole where the paper is loaded. This will allow the oil to cover the entire surface of the blade.
Step 4. Turn on the shredder on reverse setting for 10-20 seconds
Turn the shredder in the opposite direction and let it sit for 10-20 seconds before turning it off. In this way, the oil will spread and lubricate the entire cutting blade in the engine.
Step 5. Restart the shredder with automatic setting
Turn off manual settings and turn on the machine again in automatic settings so that it can be used as usual.
Step 6. Insert several sheets of paper into the machine to absorb excess oil
Insert at least two or three sheets of paper into the machine to absorb any remaining oil on the blades.
Tips
- Lubricate the engine based on the intensity of its use. Shredders used in offices often need to be lubricated several times a week, while machines used at home only need to be lubricated a few times a year. Manufacturers usually recommend that you lubricate the engine every time its accumulated wear reaches 30 minutes.
- Cross-cut shredders need to be lubricated more often because they have more blades and leave more paper debris.
- Crushing large amounts of paper in a short time or crushing certain materials can also make the machine need to be lubricated more often.
- It's a good idea to lubricate the shredder every time you replace the waste paper bag in the machine.
