After purchasing a digital film scanner and learning about how to use it, most people are usually so excited that they immediately plug it in and start using it. And while there might be a few errors that happen and moments of frustration, modern scanners are extremely user-friendly, meaning that most people can eventually figure it out by themselves and learn the process to scan 35mm slides or photos correctly in short order.

However, what many people don't realize after purchasing an item like a slide and negative scanner is how to keep their new purchase working properly. Many scanners don't come with detailed instructions for proper maintenance, leaving people to figure out for themselves who to take care of their product. This can lead to major problems if people do something they shouldn't - an innocent mistake in attempting to clean a scanner or fix a problem can ruin an otherwise good product.

One important thing to not do is use glass cleaner to clean the screen of your photo slide scanner. Products such as Windex contain many corrosive chemicals that will damage or ruin the glass over time. This is especially true of any cleaning product that involves ammonia, which is a highly corrosive agent.

Instead, a good strategy is to use a dusting aid such as Endust that is free of corrosive elements. Using a soft, lint-free cloth (static-free cloths are especially useful) you can remove the glass screen from the scanner and clean each side - getting the underside is important to clear out the microscopic bits of dust, lint and hair that can ruin scans made with 35mm negative scanners.

You can also clean the internal workings of the scanner with the same dusting aid, or use a combination of lightly-soaped water. It's important to thoroughly dry the screen and the scanner before using it again - a wet part can be trouble. Following these steps can ensure that you can get high-quality scans from your new model for a long time.