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The typical way of cleaning a scanner leaves fingerprints and dust on the glass. These compromise the quality of your scans and make the glass lose its clarity. Before you clean a scanner, get all the necessary materials for the task. These include soft, lint-free rags, eyeglass cleaner (or alcohol), compressed airs and Endust for Electronics.

If you have just used your scanner, wait for the glass to cool down before you start the cleaning process. Feel the glass with your fingers to ensure it is not hot. Then, follow the following steps:

a) Get all the cleaning materials ready and read the manufacturer’s instruction on how to clean the scanner. The scanner’s manual usually has specific instructions that should be followed when cleaning.
b) Make sure the scanner is plugged off before you start cleaning. Remove the cables from the scanner and power outlet and keep them away from the cleaning area to prevent them from getting into contact with your liquid cleaning agents.
c) Raise or remove the lid of the scanner and spray the cloth with glass cleaner. Wipe the scanner glass gently with the cloth to remove any grease or dust specks that may be there. Follow a circular motion as you wipe to avoid leaving grain lines on the glass.
d) While still moist, wipe the glass immediately with a second rag or a dry portion of the rag. Check for any signs of dust specks or a dull finish. If you are not satisfied with the outcome, repeat the process.
e) Clean the plastic parts of the scanner with the same fluid, mild detergent dissolved in water or one of the cleaning agents recommended by the manufacturer.
f) Close the scanner’s lid and connect the cables back to the scanner and power outlet.

Tip: Avoid using a lot of liquid when cleaning the scanner. Simply wet the rag in the liquid.
For detailed information on how to clean a scanner, visit howstuffworks.com.