Stock Up on Card Reader Cleaning Cards!

This smart card reader cleaning card uses a patented Waffletechnology design to effectively clean readers in smart card and magnetic stripe reader devices. Many times, a malfunction in a card reader simply means the reader is dirty after prolonged use. Cleaning cards are an economical solution without the need of repairs or replacements, certain to leave users content. Keeping card reader devices clean are essential for maintaining highly functioning point of sale (POS) machines at your business. So, items like the KW3-HSCB40 dual side card reader cleaner make a lot of sense to order.

This cleaning card is designed to break down dirt and debris that commonly build up within a card reader's path. You can skip other cleaning solutions thanks to the effectiveness of this card. A shipping box comes with 40 cards, helping you keep a large supply on hand.

Perfect for use on EMV, hotel door locks, ATMs, POS machines, or self-serve kiosks!

Cleaning Card Size and Quantity: 

• Quantity: 40 per box
• Card Dimensions (in. / mm.): 3.345 x 2.10 / 84.96 x53.34
• Thickness (in. / mm.): .021 / .4334

Presaturated Cleaning Card Benefits:

• Prolong equipment life and reduce capital expenditures
• Reduce maintenance fees
• Reduce equipment downtime
• Reduce fees from erroneous transactions
• Increase customer loyalty with fast efficient service
• Improves transaction speeds & reliability
• Extends equipment lifespan
• Patented waffletechnology(R) cleaning surface
• USP-grade 99.7% isopropyl alcohol

Applications:

• For routine use on payment card reader machines, magnetic stripe readers, chip readers, time clocks, square & clover card readers and other dip/swipe card readers
• Removes dust, dirt, magnetic oxides, light oils, debris and other environmental contaminants from vital card reader components

How to Properly Clean a Credit Card Chip Reader

1. First, power down your POS terminal or device if recommended by the manufacturer to prevent electrical issues.
2. Insert the cleaning card into the reader slot just as you would a normal credit card, following the directions on the cleaning card packaging-typically, you'll run the card through the slot or dip it twice.

The Waffletechnology cleaning card from KIC Team is especially effective because its textured design scrubs away dirt, dust, contaminants, and residue from contact pins and read heads, areas vulnerable to misreads. If your equipment sees high transaction volume, schedule routine cleanings every 1,000 swipes or at least once or twice a month to maintain peak performance and reliability.

How to Clean a Chip and Pin Card

1. Start by gently wiping the chip area with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth. This helps remove dust or fingerprint oils that may interfere with the card's ability to connect with reader contacts.
2. If a more thorough cleaning is needed, use a cleaning wipe specifically formulated for electronic components, avoiding generic household cleaners or excessive moisture that can cause damage.
3. For best results, wipe the card in a consistent direction and allow it to fully dry before use.

How Different Cleaning Solutions Affect Credit Cards

• Harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners may damage the magnetic stripe or chip, causing failures at the point-of-sale terminal or during authentication.
• Solutions that contain excessive moisture or leave behind a sticky residue can lead to corrosion of the read pins or sensors inside your chip reader, which might result in transaction errors or require costly repairs.
• Specialized electronic cleaning solutions, like those used in waffletechnology cleaning cards, are formulated to dissolve oils and debris without harming delicate components or causing buildup.
• It's important to avoid generic household cleaners and instead use only products designed specifically for smart card and electronic reader maintenance. This practice ensures reliable performance, reduces unplanned downtime, and protects both your credit cards and chip reader devices from permanent damage.

Card Cleaning FAQs

Can I Use Alcohol or Rubbing Alcohol to Clean an SD Card or Credit Card?

While it might seem convenient to use alcohol or rubbing alcohol to clean an SD card or credit card, this approach is not recommended by manufacturers or industry professionals. Alcohol can leave behind residue or cause damage to the delicate components of smart card chips and magnetic stripes, leading to potential malfunctions or data loss. Instead, specialized cleaning cards-like the KIC Team KW3-HSCB40-are designed for this purpose, offering a safe and effective solution without risking harm to your devices. Using these cleaning cards helps maintain proper sensor function and reader reliability while reducing the risk of costly downtime or replacement.

What are Different Types of Cleaning Cards for Chip Readers?

Waffletechnology cleaning cards, like those in the KIC Team KW3-HSCB40 product line, use an advanced textured surface to ensure thorough cleaning of contact pins, sensors, and read heads within smart card and magnetic stripe terminals. Some cleaning cards come pre-saturated with safe electronic cleaning solutions, which help break down oils, dirt, and debris that build up from frequent use. Others feature a dry format for quick cleaning without any chemical residue, making them ideal for sensitive electronic components. Depending on your needs, you can choose cards tailored to EMV chip readers, magnetic stripe devices, or multi-technology readers found in point-of-sale (POS) systems, ATMs, pay stations, or hotel key systems.

How to Fix a Damaged Credit Card Chip?

If a credit card's chip becomes damaged, fixes are limited due to the chip's sensitive embedded microcircuitry. In most cases, there is no way to repair a physically damaged chip; instead, the best approach is to prevent further issues and maintain the integrity of both the card and the reader.

• First, try cleaning the card gently using a dry, soft cloth or a dedicated card cleaning wipe to remove surface dirt that may interfere with chip-reader contact-avoid using liquids, abrasive materials, or household cleaners, since these can cause further harm or introduce harmful residue.
• If your card still fails to function, attempt to use a different point-of-sale terminal to rule out a reader malfunction.
• Persistent errors usually indicate the chip itself is faulty; when this happens, contact your card issuer promptly to request a replacement card.
• Many banks and financial institutions offer quick turnaround on replacements to minimize disruptions to your business operations or daily transactions.

Can You Demagnetize a Credit Card Chip?

Unlike traditional magnetic stripes, the chip embedded in modern credit cards does not rely on magnetism for data storage or function, so it cannot be demagnetized in the conventional sense. These EMV chips use encrypted microprocessors to securely store and process information during transactions, making them far more resistant to damage from fields or magnets. Therefore, exposure to magnetic forces will not affect the chip's performance or data.

Can Chip Readers be Skimmed?

Chip card readers are generally more secure than traditional magnetic stripe readers, but they are not entirely immune to skimming. Most modern chip readers are designed to protect sensitive data by creating a unique, encrypted transaction code for each use, making it extremely difficult for criminals to duplicate the information. However, advanced skimming techniques, such as shimming, involve inserting a thin device inside the reader to intercept communication between the chip and the terminal. While these attempts are less common and typically less effective than magnetic stripe skimming, they can still pose a risk if the equipment is not regularly inspected or maintained.

How Many Uses Can I Get Out of a Single Card Reader Cleaning Card?

Each KIC Team KW3-HSCB40 Smart Card Reader Cleaning Card is designed for single use and should be discarded after completing one full cleaning cycle. This approach ensures that any dirt, debris, or contaminants removed from the card reader are not reintroduced into the device during repeated use.