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📄Cleaning EFTPOS Terminals (PINpads)

Safe cleaning and disinfecting of EFTPOS terminals to ensure correct operation and continued reliability

Overview

EFTPOS terminals (also known as PINpads) are high-touch devices and should be cleaned regularly to maintain hygiene and reliable operation. However, these devices contain sensitive electronic components and must be cleaned carefully to avoid damage, false tamper alerts, or warranty issues.

This article provides general cleaning and disinfecting guidelines suitable for most EFTPOS terminals used with bepoz. As cleaning requirements can vary by manufacturer and bank, always follow device-specific instructions where available.

What You’ll Need

Use only the following:

  • A clean microfibre cloth

  • pH-neutral, non-scrubbing mild soap (for cleaning)

  • Alcohol-based cleaner containing 70–90% isopropyl alcohol (IPA) (for disinfecting)

Note: Always apply liquids to the cloth — never directly to the terminal.

Before You Start

  • Ensure no transaction is in progress

  • Turn off the EFTPOS terminal

  • Disconnect it from power

How to Clean the Terminal

  1. Slightly dampen a clean microfibre cloth with water

  2. Apply a small amount of mild soap or alcohol-based cleaner directly to the cloth

    • Do not mix cleaning products

    • Do not use any other chemicals

  3. Gently wipe:

    • The touchscreen or display

    • The keypad

    • External casing surfaces

  4. After cleaning, gently wipe the terminal with a clean, dry cloth

  5. Allow the terminal to dry completely

  6. Reconnect power and turn the terminal back on

Important Areas to Avoid

🚫 Do not clean the smart card (chip) reader

  • Inserting cloths, wipes, or objects into the card reader can damage internal components

  • Cleaning the card reader slot may void the device warranty

 

🚫 Avoid touching battery contact points

  • Contact with moisture, cleaning solution, or skin oils can cause corrosion

  • This may lead to poor charging or unreliable battery connections

 

🚫 Never, ever:

  • Use bleach, hydrogen peroxide, thinner, trichloroethylene, or ketone-based solvents (such as acetone)

  • Use abrasive or scrubbing materials

  • Vigorously scrub or shake the terminal

  • Vigorously rub the terminal with a dry towel or similar material

    • This can cause electrostatic discharge (ESD) and trigger tamper alerts

  • Pour or spray any liquid, sanitiser, or disinfectant directly onto the terminal

  • Submerge the terminal in water

These actions can damage plastic and rubber components, interfere with card reading, or permanently disable the device.

Touchscreens vs Physical Keypads

  • Touchscreen terminals
    Clean gently using light pressure only. Excessive force or harsh chemicals can damage screen coatings.

  • Physical keypads
    Wipe the surface of the keys only. Do not attempt to lift keys or clean underneath them.

Cleaning Frequency

As a general guideline:

  • High-traffic venues: at least daily

  • Lower-traffic venues: at least twice weekly

  • Clean immediately if spillages occur on the device and/or when the terminal becomes visibly dirty or sticky

Notes & Tips

Note: EFTPOS terminals are supplied and supported by banks or payment providers. Cleaning instructions may vary between models.

Tip: For device-specific, warranty-approved cleaning instructions, contact:

  • Your acquiring bank

  • Your payment provider

  • The EFTPOS terminal manufacturer

They can confirm approved products and procedures for your exact hardware.

Summary

Cleaning EFTPOS terminals regularly helps maintain hygiene, reliability, and device longevity. Always use soft cloths, mild cleaning solutions, and gentle pressure. Avoid excess moisture, sensitive areas such as card readers and battery contacts, and harsh chemicals.

When in doubt, follow the guidance provided by your bank or payment provider for terminals used with bepoz.

 

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