Typewriter Care & Maintenance Guide

From the Fuengirola workshop

A typewriter asks for very little. Keep it covered, keep it dry, change the ribbon when the print fades — and it will keep writing for another fifty years.

Everyday care Something feels wrong
The short version

Two habits do most of the work.

Dust and damp are the only real enemies of a well-restored machine. Handle those two and the rest is small maintenance.

Keep the dust out

A covered machine stays clean between sessions. If dust does settle, lift it out with a soft brush or a puff of air rather than a cloth pushed between the keys.

Shop dust covers

Choose a dry spot

Somewhere stable, away from damp walls and unheated rooms. Around 4–27°C (40–80°F) with 30–50% humidity suits a typewriter well. On the coast, indoors and away from open windows is the safe choice.

Shop cases & bags
Cleaning & servicing

Light and occasional beats thorough and rare.

Most of what a typewriter needs takes five minutes and a soft cloth. The heavier work belongs on a bench.

Surfaces

  • Wipe the body with a soft, dry cloth.
  • Soft brush or compressed air between the keys and the type basket.
  • Chrome and nickel: rubbing alcohol or a gentle metal polish.
  • Leave wax off crinkle paint — it settles into the texture.

Oil

  • A lightweight oil, sparingly: Liquid Bearings, sewing machine or spindle oil.
  • Too much oil collects dust and becomes the next problem.
  • Mineral spirits help free a stiff part before oiling it.

Ribbon

  • Change it when the print goes grey — usually every two to six months.
  • Universal ribbons fit most machines we sell.
  • Original metal spools keep a period machine looking right.
Shop ribbons
Cleaning between the type bars of a vintage manual typewriter with a soft brush
Brush and air first; solvents only where they are actually needed.
Using & storing

The carriage and the platen.

Two moving parts take most of the wear. Both respond well to a little attention.

Carriage

Return it with a firm, even hand rather than a swing. Reset the margins now and then so the travel stays smooth, and lock the carriage before the machine moves anywhere.

Platen & rollers

Take the paper out when you finish. Sheets left clamped for months flatten the feed rollers, and the paper release lever takes the tension off in a second.

Find a replacement part
If something feels wrong

Most of it is smaller than it looks.

A machine that suddenly stops behaving is usually telling you about one part, not eleven.

Carriage will not advance

Almost always the drawband — the most common fault on any manual typewriter, and a quick adjustment or replacement rather than a repair.

Sticking keys, uneven spacing

Start with cleaning and a light oil in the right places. That resolves the majority of cases without anything being taken apart.

Online typewriter support

When it needs the bench

Alignment, a new platen, a seized escapement. Our workshop publishes its process and prices so you know what you are sending and what it costs.

See repair services
What you might need

Everything on this page, in one place.

Ribbons, spools, covers and the small parts that keep a machine writing. Check compatibility with your model before ordering — we can confirm it if you are unsure.

Browse all accessories
Universal ribbonsFresh ink for the next page Metal spoolsPeriod-correct detail Dust coversThe simplest protection there is Custom coversMade to your machine Cases & bagsFor storing and carrying Parts & replacementsDrawbands, feet, knobs PDF user manualsRibbon loading, model by model Workshop servicingProcess, timing and prices
Frequently asked

The questions we get most.

Short answers. If yours is not here, the workshop replies personally.

How much maintenance does it actually need?

Very little. Keep it covered, keep it dry, change the ribbon when the print fades, and oil lightly only when the machine feels stiff.

How often should I change the ribbon?

Every two to six months, depending on how much you type and how dark you like the print. Universal ribbons fit most machines.

Do I need to oil it often?

No. A light application every few years, or when a part feels stiff, is enough. Over-oiling causes more problems than it solves.

What if something stops working?

Most faults — a slipping drawband, a sticking key — are quick to fix with guidance. We offer online troubleshooting, and the workshop handles the rest.

My machine smells musty. Is that a problem?

Usually it is the case or cover rather than the machine. Air both out in a dry room and store them somewhere warmer.

Can I store it long-term?

Yes. Release the roller tension with the paper release lever, cover it, keep it in a stable climate and look in on it every few months.

Going further

Want the detailed version?

This page covers what almost every owner will ever need. Our advanced guide goes into full servicing routines, adjustments and the methods we use on the bench.

Advanced maintenance guide Ask the workshop

El Granero Typewriter Company · Fuengirola, Málaga · Type What You Love

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"When we reflect on the incredible distances our typewriters have travelled to reach your desks, the numbers are truly staggering. Just imagine six continents! The combined shipping distance of sending these heavy, beautiful machines to our international customers equates to approximately 760 laps around the Earth. Knowing that our restored typewriters are sparking creativity in almost every corner of the globe is the greatest reward for our daily work at the workbench."

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