How do I clean my instant camera rollers?

Q: How do I clean my instant camera rollers?

Gently wipe the rollers with a soft cloth, tissue paper or cotton swab saturated with alcohol or ionized water. Once done with that area, press the shutter to make the rollers move, then so the same on the newly accessible parts. Repeat the process until there are is no visible dirt or black streaks left.

Each instant photo passes between two metal rollers as it exits the film door. The purpose of this is to spread the developer paste between the photo’s negative and positive components. If the rollers are dirty, the chemistry may become uneven and visible defects can appear on the image. This is why it’s important to clean the rollers at least every two to three film packs, even if they look clean. Below are five simple steps to follow.

When your instant camera has no film inside, open the film door compartment and locate the two metal rollers.
Get a soft cloth, tissue paper or cotton swab and saturate it with alcohol or ionized water.
Gently wipe the accessible part of the rollers.
Once you’re done, click the shutter button to make the rollers move. This helps you clean them thoroughly. Remember, don’t wipe the rollers while they are moving because your cleaning material might get caught in between!
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until the rollers no longer have any dirt or black streaks. Wait for them to dry, and they’re ready to go!

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