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Clean Your Toast Devices

Restaurants can get a bit messy, and many people may be touching and using your Toast devices. Learn more about the best ways to clean your

Written by Agent Support Bot

Whether it's food or drinks that have spilled, or simply a lot of people constantly using Toast devices, things can get a bit dirty in a restaurant. Use the steps below for the best way to properly clean your Toast equipment.

Clean Your Toast Devices

Do not spray the solution directly on your equipment. This will prevent liquid from getting into open ports or areas such as your card readers.

Be sure to clean your equipment in a ventilated space with no sources of flame.

  1. Put on nitrile gloves to keep your hands clean.

  2. Use 70% isopropyl alcohol as a cleaning solution, which is available at a variety of stores for purchase. Alternatively, you can create your own cleaning solution safe for your equipment. To do this:

    1. Fill a bottle with 3/4 of a cup with 91% isopropyl alcohol

    2. Add 1/4 of a cup of water and mix

    3. This solution will not damage the anti-reflective coating on your Toast devices.

  3. Spray the solution on a microfiber cloth.

  4. Wipe down the entire device, not just the screen. If it's a terminal, be sure to wipe down the backside as well. Let the rubbed-in solution sit on the Toast device and let it air dry.

  5. Washcloths can be used to clean devices with hot water and soap.

  6. Dispose of the nitrile gloves you're wearing. Then wash your hands with soap and hot water.

If you need to clean inside your card reader, use a cleaning card. To learn more about this process, check out the article Get Help with Your Magnetic Stripe Card Reader.

Alternative Cleaning Options

Although we'd recommend that isopropyl alcohol be used to clean your equipment, we understand it may not be available. If isopropyl alcohol is no longer available in your area, we've compiled some safe alternatives below.

It's important to NEVER MIX different cleaners together. Choose one product and don't mix other products in the same cleaning session - the combination could be harmful.


These are US Environmental Protection Agency-recommended cleaners safe for devices including their EPA registration number:

  • Clorox Disinfecting Wipes (Reg. Number 5813-79)

  • Clorox Healthcare Bleach Germicidal Wipes (Reg. Number 67619-12)

  • Clorox Commercial Hydrogen Peroxide Cleaner Disinfectant Wipes (Reg. Number 67619-25)

  • Lonza Disinfectant Wipes (Reg. Number 6836-313)

  • Lysol Brand Clean & Fresh Multi-Surface Cleaner (80% water, 20% cleaner mixture) (Reg. Number 777-89) Note: This option requires mixing and a spray bottle. Spray the solution on a microfiber cloth. Don't spray it directly onto your equipment. This will prevent liquid from getting into open ports or areas such as your card reader.

  • Purell Professional Surface Disinfectant Wipes (Reg. Number 84150-1)

  • Sani-Cloth Prime Germicidal Disposable Wipes (Reg. Number 9480-12)


If nitrile gloves are not available in your area, use vinyl or latex (as long as you're not allergic) to keep your hands clean while using these solutions.


Of the items above, 6 are wipes and can be used directly on your devices.


As mentioned before, be sure to clean your equipment in a ventilated space and keep cleaning solutions away from open flames.

Cleaning Materials to Avoid

Do not use any of the following materials when cleaning your devices:

  • Alcohol at a concentration greater than 70 percent

  • Methyl or ethyl alcohol

  • Thinner or benzine

  • Strong alkaline cleaners (which contain sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, or ammonia)

  • Strong solvents

  • Acids

  • Detergents with fluoride

  • Detergents with ammonia

  • Abrasive cleaners

  • Detergents with abrasives

  • Steel wool

  • Sponges with abrasives

  • Steel blades

  • Cloth with steel threads

  • 409 cleaner

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