How to Clean a Manual Typewriter

Use the soft brush and tube attachment and vacuum any loose dirt or dust from the keyboard, metal type bars, type wheels and so on. Remove cobwebs and dust in the typebar chamber of the typewriter.

Moisten a white rag with water and a small amount of dish soap.

Wipe the vacuumed typewriter with the rag. Release each type bar by hitting the corresponding key or gently lifting the bar from its initial setting.

Wipe any excess liquid and soap from the surfaces of the typewriter and allow it to dry for at least 20 minutes.

Pick out any dirt or debris with a toothpick. Pay particular attention to the small letterheads on the type bars as debris can harden significantly in and around the raised letters.

Swab over the areas that you cleaned with a toothpick using damp cotton swabs. Remove the now loose dirt and debris.

Dab gentle aluminum polish to the metal components and micro-crystalline wax to the lacquered or painted components. Wipe off any excess polish and let the typewriter dry overnight. Repeat this step until the typewriter has the shine you desire.