While Zippo lighter fluid (Naphtha) is a bit more expensive per ounce than other solvents (mineral spirits, lacquer thinner, et al), it does usually come packaged in a dispensing container that may make it easier to dispense in a directed method into the internals of typewriters for cleaning them out.

The other benefit is that some may have it on hand for general household use without needing to make a separate trip to the hardware store.

via, but not really directly suggested by https://old.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1g9ntnj/lubricant_reccomendations/

dry cleaning solvents in 1941 were likely Varsol or Stoddard's Formula.

compare to trichloroethane<br /> https://hypothes.is/a/EyBIAFXAEe-AcP-Atlj_aQ

Note discontinuation of carbon tetrachloride<br /> https://hypothes.is/a/bfdi_I90Ee-OQLN0HpsE7Q

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_tetrachloride

Carbon tetrachloride or carbon tet is a non-flammable, dense, colorless liquid which was often used as a cleaning agent in the mid 1900s, but was phased out due to safety and environmental concerns. High exposure can affect the central nervous system and cause damage to the liver and kidneys. Prolonged exposure can be fatal.

Royal Quiet DeLuxe Typewriter Complete Total Body Removal by [[The HotRod Typewriter Co.]]

Gerren uses a Weaver gunsmith screwdriver set for most of his screwdriver needs. [5:00]

On the newer QDLs two of the screws for removing the rear plate are accessible from the top underneath the carriage instead of all on the rear.

The screws for the front body plate can be loosened and don't need to be fully removed to take the body plate off of the machine.

quietly cleaning a quiet deluxe by [[Just My Typewriter]]

Cleaning the case, exterior and some of interior of a Royal Quiet De Luxe typewriter. She does a somewhat minimal job here.

She could have disassembled a bit more and done a better job with a toothbrush and mineral spirits on the inside.

Not a horrible recommendation for a beginner, but could have gone further and been a bit more comprehensive.

https://www.amsterdamtypewriter.com/en-us/products/typewriter-care-kit-diy

Amsterdam Typewriter's kit contains all the following essentials:<br /> * Brass wire brush (for cleaning the typeface) * Natural bristled brush (general cleaning purposes) * Microfiber cotton cloth (for polishing, gentle to paint) * New ribbon (black, red or black or purple color) * 3 compact cotton tissues (disposable, soak in cleaner or mild soap solution to clean typewriter) * Alcohol spray for cleaning (removes ink, oxidation, stains, surface rust) * Deodorizing spray (for disinfection and removing odor from cases and felt lining) * 10 Special cotton buds with long reach (do not leave cotton strings behind) * Our miracle polishing paste (wonderfully revives paint, also polishes on metal, paint, glass, fiberglass, plastic) * Leather rolling pouch for carrying * Comfy cotton bag for storage * Checklist for cleaning * Copy of manual with tips on cleaning of your typewriter and detailed steps

#401B Nu-trol Control Cleaner for Electronics, a specialty cleaner

Nu-trol is a a degreaser/cleaner which also has a bit of oil in it as well for cleaning and oiling the rails, mainspring, and friction points of a typewriter. Follow up with compressed air to knock off the excess.

timestamp

The Royal Ten (and later standard typewriters in the line) have a mechanism such that when the carriage is advanced it causes the ribbon to advance simultaneously. Sometimes this mechanism can be gummed up with oil causing issues with ribbon advance. Hitting it with lacquer thinner and/or Nu-trol can free this up.

Royal 10 Manual Typewriter Carriage Flush and Lube, Basic Procedure by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

https://web.archive.org/web/20240916134154/https://climbtothestars.org/archives/2024/04/28/my-space-is-there-to-serve-me/

[[Stephanie Booth]] on keeping things tidier around the house. from the perspective of seeing space as something that serves me. Reframes cleaning not as reactive but as pro-active in aiding my future self. I once, mid 90s, wrote a column on cleaning/decluttering as a personal battle against entropy, reducing entropy and thus postpone the heat death of the universe. Heck, the very def of life is decreasing entropy around itself, as per James Lovelock in Novacene (2019).

https://new.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1fh2vab/any_suggestions_to_remove_this_permanent_marker/

Some advice on cleaning typewriters from someone who previously had a typewriter shop.

Recommendation: mineral spirits with a touch of transmission fluid.

Typewriter Clear Plastic Card Guide Holder Clean Polish White Out Dirt Restore by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

For cleaning white out off of the clear plastic on card guides try the following: - scrape with fingernail<br /> - Simple Green - Marvel Mystery Oil (from automotive shops) followed by lacquer thinner in miniscule amounts (one drop). The oil helps protect the plastic from melting from the lacquer thinner. Rinse and repeat.

Others have indicated that floor wax stripper will remove white out without damaging the plastic of the card guides.

Fossilized Masking Tape Removed Cleaned from Typewriter Body by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

The paint on the metal of the SMC 6 series typewriters will generally stand up well to lacquer thinner and along with scratching can be used to remove the old residual masking tape often found on these typewriters.

WD-40, gun bore cleaner, and Simple Green generally don't do much to this sort of tape residue.

Royal Futura 800 Typewriter Plastic Key Top White Crud Removal Cleaning Servicing by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

For the white, crusty out gassing (or off gassing) on plastic typewriter keys, Duane recommends a round or two of Simple Green with a stiff bristle brush. Follow this up with a scrub down using WD-40 to displace the water from the Simple Green and then follow up with denatured alcohol, which is safe on plastics, and a wipe down with a rag to dry.

The case FOR WD-40 use in typewriters by [[Thom Cholowski]] in Antique Typewriter Maintenance Group

Some thorough colloquial and unreferenced, but reasonably scientific advice about the use of WD-40 to clean typewriters, particularly with respect to water displacement.

Once used for cleaning typewriter internals, WD-40 needs to be flushed out with kerosene or naphtha.

Royal KH Vintage Antique Typewriter Cleaning Wash Glossy Black Enamel Paint Tobacco removal by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

This is a fantastic advertisement for why one shouldn't smoke. The brown is just the part that settled on the typewriter and is just a tiny fraction of what entered the typist's body.

Revisiting my first typewriter restoration... by [[Just My Typewriter]]

Interesting to see someone with some broader experience looking back at what they'd done before and describing how they'd do it now.

Cleaning Type Slugs Fast ! Removing Clogged Dirty Ink Typewriter Service How to Shine Those Faces by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

Duane cleans type slugs by draping the typewriter with cloths and then using a metal bristle brush and lacquer thinner. Small picks or an X-Acto knife can help to remove gunk from the interiors of the closed letters.

Underwood Typewriter Black Matte Paint Wash & Shine Process Clean Restore Luster No Decal Damage by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

How Duane cleans black matte paint and crinkle finished typewriters: Simple Green and a stiff brush, dry, then finish off by brushing in oil or WD-40 and wiping down.

I've thought about Silly Putty for cleaning type before, but Sarah recommends using it as well.

Crawford Tool 1722-TN Nylon Bristle Detail Brush AKA Typewriter Brush

Lube-All Oiler LA124 Triple Pack, 1 oz, 2 oz and 4 oz Bottles with Flexible Spout and In Cap Shut-off Valve<br /> https://crawfordtool.com/products/lube-all-oiler-la124-triple-pack-1-oz-2-oz-and-4-oz-bottles-with-flexible-spout-and-in-cap-shut-off-valve?variant=42824191901937

Bottles that could be useful for dispensing either oil or lacquer thinner/mineral spirits.

DIY Restoring Yellowed Plastic Featuring Royal Mercury Typewriter

Yellowed plastics can be treated with sunshine (or other UV light for several days) and hydrogen peroxide (3%) to repair the yellowing.

Typewriter Platen Cleaning How to Clean Feed and Bail Rollers Rejuvenate Remove Ink by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

Duane is obviously a fan of lacquer thinner for cleaning platens and feed rollers.

Olympia SM Typewriter Wash, Scrub Clean Lid Cover, Restore Paint by [[Phoenix Typewriter]]

Simple Green gets off most dirt and nicotine as well as some White Out. Duane uses Nu-Trol Control Cleaner (for electronics) as a mild specialty cleaner for tougher White Out cleaning.

COMPLETE Olympia SM1/2/3/4/5/7 Typewriter Build/Service/Tune up Series- Part 1 by [[The HotRod Typewriter Co.]]

Olympia SG1 1953-72 cleaning (technical restoration)

It can be useful to take some mineral spirits, naphtha, or paint thinner and a tooth brush (or, even better, a brass bristle brush) to your typeface every now and then to clean the ink, dirt, paper, bits of ribbon, dust, etc. out of it. Doing it after changing ribbon is always a good idea. If you're really hard pressed, nail polish remover (acetone) or rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball along with a small pin tip for the loops of letters like 'a', 'o', 'p', 'g', etc. can be used.

How well (or not) your typewriter works from a print perspective can also change with the type of paper you're using, what your ribbon is made out of (usually nylon, silk, or cotton), how much ink it's got in it and how old/worn it may be. A good backing sheet behind your typing paper can also be helpful.

reply to u/kirrachristine at https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/1dtuksy/one_letter_weirdly_thicksmudged/ RE: one letter weirdly thick/smudged

Smith-Corona 5-Series Touch Adjustment by [[Joe Van Cleave]]

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJtHauPh529XYHI5QNj5w9PUdi89pOXsS

Typewriter 101

https://tsesaraheverett3.wixsite.com/justmytypewriter/team-4

To be more specific on solvents for beginners, potentially try mineral spirits (white spirit in UK), paint thinner, naphtha (lighter fluid), kerosene, varnish remover, PB B'laster, or carburetor or brake cleaner. Be careful as many of these are flammable and some can remove paint or decals; use all of them in a well ventilated area. You may see some recommend household variations of alcohol, but these do contain water and generally aren't very effective solvents for the types of oil/grease/dust you'll probably want to remove; professional typewriter repair shops would not use alcohol on a machine. And for those in the back, no one but a psychopath would use WD-40 on a machine's internals.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjumGF9NFE8 is a pretty solid cleaning primer. Searching YouTube will uncover some potential additional advice in addition to what you can find at https://site.xavier.edu/polt/typewriters/tw-restoration.html

Good luck. That's a lovely machine!

https://www.reddit.com/r/typewriters/comments/21zpri/what_you_should_know_before_cleaning_your/

Note the stated 33 year experience as typewriter repairman

should find a better reference

Typewriter 101: THE CLEANING GUIDE! by [[Just My Typewriter]]

A solid primer for cleaning typewriters

The white gunky substances seen on the plastic keys of old, unmaintained typewriters generally isn't mold, but plasticizers coming out of the plastic. These can usually be cleaned off using simple household cleaning products or if necessary heavier cleaners (Goo Gone, alcohol, naptha, etc. - test these on hidden parts first to ensure they don't react with or destroy the plastic or remove the paint of the key letters) followed up by light waxes or polishes and buffing.

Wiping dirty plastic typewriter keys with a soft cloth and then waxing/buffing them can bring them back to life.

Cleans them but probably doesn't repair them.

https://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/SLCleaning/SLcleaning.htm

List of key words.

https://ctva.biz/US/TalkShow/RegisPhilbin_1981-82.htm

According to @Young1982, they had previously appeared with Regis Philbin on AM Los Angeles (TV show).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbGUVjOF2uw

He still seems iffy about the value of using WD-40 on crinkle cut finish, primarily because of the smell.

Others use brass bristle brushes for applying the WD-40 instead of nylon brushes.

Hermes Rocket Typewriter Case Cleaning — Crazy Results, Simple Tools

A few hours with some mild soap and water and a toothbrush will clean up most of a plastic typewriter case.

A mild solvent like isopropyl alcohol can generally get the remainder of any tough spots or gummy spills.

WD-40 for Crinkle Finish Typewriters — Does it work??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nz1t6QtARyI

WD-40, which has paraffin wax as an ingredient, can be brushed onto the crinkle finish of a typewriter to clean it up and give it some shine. Use a rag to wipe off excess and take care not to get any in the segment comb. The difference on a generally clean typewriter appears to be negligible and primarily results in a WD-40 smell.

Would something like Armor All work better? Car wax might also work as well. Powder coating polish could work, but it may act as a gentle abrasive as it is also meant to lift stains.

Typewriter Cleaning and Repair Basics #2 Type Bars, Case, and Crinkle Finish

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82O_iUAI5og

Segment comb cleaning - isopropyl alcohol (gentler solvent) - odorless mineral spirits - Lacquer thinner (maybe a bit too aggressive) - naphtha (lighter fluid) take care for flammability and ventilation

Work solvent into bearing between type bar and segment comb. To dry things out one can used compressed air when done or just air dry.

If sticking keys not due to being gummed up, bend portions slightly for better alighment.

Do not lubricate the segment comb.

Only lubricate the carriage rails when necessary.

Exterior cleaning

Brass bristle or nylon bristle brushes (toothbrushes) can be used to clean the exterior of the typewriter and/or cases with mild detergents or other solvents. Depending on the finish, try the brush and solvent on a small portion to determine colorfastness and potential scratching first.

Typewriter Cleaning and Repair Basics #1 Assessment and Testing

Recommends against any lubrication on the key mechanism, just keep it clean. Lubrication in some cases may actually gum up the works and cause the keys to return slowly.

He suggests Krud Kutter as a cleaner/degreaser.

How to Clean a Typewriter

Rubbing alcohol or WD-40 for cleaning out light rust, oil, dirt and grime.

Use Rem-Oil for oiling typewriters

Toothpaste and toothbrush is great for cleaning crinkle paint on typewriters.

Imagine having unnecessary and wrong data in your document, you would most likely have to experience the concept of time demarcation -- the reluctance in going through every single row and column to eliminate these "garbage data". Clearly, owning all kinds of data without organizing them feels like stuffing your closet with clothes that you should have donated 5 years ago. It is a time-consuming and soul-destroying process for us. Luckily, in R, we have something in R called "tidyverse" package, which I believe the author talks about in the next paragraph, to make life easier for everyone. I personally use dplyr and ggplot2 when I deal with data cleaning, and they are extremely helpful. WIthout these packages' existence, I have no idea when I will be able to reach the final step of data visualization.

If your garden is well maintained, you are more likely to spend time there. A well-kept garden can create an overwhelming feeling of calm and order even when you’re just looking out at it. This is similar to having a clean, neat and tidy house. Feeling better is good. Furthermore, a beautiful and healthy garden will truly enhance the appearance of your property. To accomplish that, there are a variety of steps that need to be taken.

When you engage a professional gardening cleaning service, they ensure that your garden's lawn and hedges are properly mowed and manicured.

ReconfigBehSci on Twitter: ‘@Professologue @sciam well it also gives references to documented cases. Why do you think uncertainty means we should not clean? And how is this different from debate (until very recently) about “airborne” nature, in your view?’ / Twitter. (n.d.). Retrieved 15 July 2021, from https://twitter.com/SciBeh/status/1415357732446633984

+10

Anthes, E. (2021, April 8). Has the Era of Overzealous Cleaning Finally Come to an End? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/08/health/coronavirus-hygiene-cleaning-surfaces.html

5 Step Guide to Checking Ventilation Rates in Classrooms. (n.d.). Schools For Health. Retrieved September 9, 2020, from https://schools.forhealth.org/ventilation-guide/

Top 5 reasons why you should hire a professional cleaning service https://bit.ly/3f5DO2q

This is a detailed description of their data cleaning methodology. It is good to know to help understand the results of this research study, but is also helpful for me to understand how to clean such large data sets.