Shredder Oil
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Shredding paper is an integral part of any business that deals with secure documents like patient records, financial statements and other personal information. If you use a shredder often, you’ll want to properly maintain it with shredder oil. Learn more below.
What Is Shredder Oil?
Keep your paper shredder in flawless condition by regularly oiling the blades. Regularly using a quality shredder lubricant oil improves the lifespan and work efficiency of your shredder.
When you’re using secure, powerful shredders you want to ensure you don’t have to stop for any jams or slow down productivity.
If you don't oil your shredder regularly you may find that it starts to accumulate paper dust and begins to process fewer sheets of paper at a time and at a slower rate.
Not only are shredders a great way to maintain security in your workspace, they’re environmentally-friendly. Shredders save space in your office and shredded paper takes up less room in a recycling bin and incentivizes employees to recycle more. Keeping your shredder working well is the perfect way to ensure your office stays protected and green.
Why Choose Lubricating Oil for Shredders?
When you’re lubricating your shredder blades, you might be tempted to try a DIY solution. However, purchasing a specially-formulated shredder oil offers a host of benefits:
- Reduced torque: Adding shredder oil allows the cutter blades to move without straining the motor, gears and bearings. This will lower the risk of paper jams.
- Smoother and quieter running: By adding lubricating oil for your shredders to the machines, you’ll let them run smoother, faster and quieter. Remove distractions and irritating noise from your office by regularly lubricating.
- Extended shredder life: Well-lubricated shredders last longer and wear down much slower, helping you save money.
- Easy-use design: Most shredder lubricants come with a simple design that prevents a mess. Some feature a squeeze design to apply just the right amount of oil, while others boast an extension nozzle for tight squeezes.
- Accessibility: Keeping shredder lubricant oil bottles on hand means you never need to slow down to maintain your shredder. The bottle sizes are perfect for easy storage and mobility.
How Do I Use Oil for Shredders?
When you need to apply lubricant for shredders in your office, you may wonder if you need to disassemble the motorhead in your shredder. All shredders vary, and you should check your specific product’s manual to determine how to maintain your shredder. However, most shredders can be lubricated one of two ways:
Direct application:
- Have your shredder oil handy.
- Turn/hold the reverse function of the shredder and run it for 10 seconds.
- Turn off your shredder.
- Pour the shredder lubricant into the paper input from the left side to the right side.
- Turn on the shredder while it’s empty and let it shred for 30 seconds.
- Your shredder is ready for further usage!
Oil sheet application:
- Have your shredder lubricant oil handy.
- Take a sheet of printer paper and pour a few streaks of shredder oil - usually recommended to be a cross or an “X” onto the paper.
- Let the shredder oil soak in.
- Run the oiled sheet through the shredder as normal.
- Your shredder is ready for further usage!
Both methods are valid, depending on the instructions in your shredder’s user manual. Some prefer oil sheets due to the fact that they lessen the chance of spilling oil, and the measurements prevent wasting excess oil or pouring too much.
How Often Should I Use Shredder Lubricant Oil?
When you notice your shredder is slowing down or becoming jammed easily, then it's probably time to oil. Most companies recommend that high-usage shredders should be oiled every time the waste bin is emptied, and low-usage shredders can be oiled every two months.