Although reliable and safe, a automatic payment terminal (TPA), like any other mechanism, requires maintenance and cleaning.
Regardless of whether or not you have contactless (the most widely used payment method in the REDUNIQ retail network), to make your POS last longer, take note of the cleaning tips and advice we have for you.
How do you clean and disinfect your TPA?
The best way to increase the longevity of any mechanism is, without a doubt, to keep it clean at all times.
One TPAsuch as REDUNIQ Easy or the REDUNIQ SmartThe keyboard is a high-precision technological mechanism made up of dozens of extremely delicate parts.
When dust or dirt gets into the keyboard slots, it can cause problems with the terminal's operation and even cause it to stop working.
Similarly, when your customer introduces a credit card or debit card with dirt in the TPA slot, the latter may have difficulty reading it.
To make sure none of this happens, here's how to clean your automatic payment terminal, step by step.
Read the manufacturer's instructions before cleaning
Before you start cleaning your TPAPlease read the manufacturer's instructions, as the use of certain products can damage the equipment and lead to a loss of warranty.
Check that the TPA is plugged in
If the TPA is plugged in, switch it off to avoid short circuits.
Start by cleaning the outside
Once the previous two steps have been completed, start cleaning the TPA from the outside using a damp cloth.
Dedicate more time to cleaning the areas near the keys and on the sides of the terminal, as these are where customers tend to touch the most.
Use the cleaning card
After cleaning and sanitising the outside of the TPATo clean the card slots, it's time to use a cleaning card specifically for card reading slots. Pay attention to the manufacturer's instructions.
Switch on the TPA
Wash your hands and then switch the TPA back on.
Tips to keep your TPA looking like new
If you're wondering how often you should clean your POS, it will all depend on how much you use the terminal, what time of year it is (spring and summer are more favourable times for mites and dirt to accumulate, for example) and whether you receive more PIN payments or contactless (in the case of contactless, the customer's card or smartphone does not contact the POS).
If you have a high utilisation rate and are in a season where dust proliferates, the TPA should be cleaned regularly.
If you don't use the TPA often and it's protected (in a drawer, for example), you can just sanitise it every year.
That said, if the terminal gets dirty, you should clean it immediately. Here are some tips on cleaning and sanitising:
General cleaning
Cleaning should be done with a soft cloth soaked in a soapy water-based solution or a few drops of dishwashing detergent in warm water.
In this respect, microfibre cloths are the most suitable, although cloths without loose fibres can also be used. In the most sensitive areas of the TPA, try to use a dry cloth.
Sanitisation/Disinfection
To sanitise or disinfect your terminal, choose to use disposable disinfectant wipes specifically for electronic devices or, alternatively, a soft cloth with a specific disinfectant for the task.
Cleaning the card slot
As we have already mentioned, to clean the terminal slot, always use a cleaning card (a specific product for cleaning reading slots).
Exhibition
Avoid exposing the most sensitive areas of the TPA (reading slot, access parts to the inside of the terminal and the space between the keys) to moisture.
TPA hygiene rules: what not to do
As we've already revealed throughout this article, there are things you should never do to keep the TPA hygienic and clean, such as
- Never spray cleaning solutions directly onto the TPA;
- Do not use an excessively damp cloth that could leave drips on the surface of the terminal;
- Do not use alcohol or alcohol-based solutions to sanitise the most sensitive parts of the TPA, as touch terminals are equipped with a protective film that can be damaged by this type of product.
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