Cleaning your Square Hardware FAQS

[Helen]

This material has been prepared for informational purposes only.

Note: For detailed and updated recommendations on cleaning and disinfection refer to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) website and read the CDC resources for businesses and employers. 

Recently we’ve had a few questions from sellers about how to clean your point of sale, and using screen protectors and styluses with Square hardware. We’ve put together these FAQs about Square Reader for Magstripe, Square Reader for Contactless and Chip, Square Stand, Square Register, and Square Terminal. If you have a question reply below.

• Cleaning your Point of Sale: Square Reader for Magstripe or Square Reader for Contactless and Chip
• Cleaning your Point of Sale: Square Stand
• Cleaning your Point of Sale: Cleaning your Point of Sale Square Register and Square Terminal

Cleaning your Point of Sale: Square Reader for Magstripe or Square Reader for Contactless and Chip

 

How do I clean Square Reader for Magstripe or Square Reader for Contactless and Chip? 

An option that may help disinfect your equipment, and reduce the spread of the virus include using an alcohol solution with 70% alcohol to wipe down your hardware.

To clean your Square Reader for Magstripe disconnect it from your phone or tablet. Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the exterior of your reader. As with any device avoid getting moisture in the opening and don't submerge your reader in any cleaning agents. Don’t use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide. You can use 70% rubbing alcohol to clean the exterior of your reader.

To clean your Square Reader for Contactless and Chip, first turn it off by holding the power button down for 15-20 seconds (you can turn it back on pressing the power button once). Please disconnect any charging cable as well. Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the exterior of your reader. Avoid getting moisture in any openings and don't submerge your product in any cleaning agents. Don’t use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide. You can use 70% rubbing alcohol to clean the exterior of your reader. Refer to the CDC’s cleaning and disinfection recommendations.

Please remember, with the Square Reader for Contactless and Chip you can always accept contactless payment cards and contactless payment methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.

 

Cleaning your Point of Sale: Square Stand

 

How do I clean Square Stand and my iPad?

An option that may help disinfect your equipment, and reduce the spread of the virus include using an alcohol solution with 70% alcohol to wipe down your hardware.

To clean your Square Stand, first remove the iPad from the cradle, then unplug the power adapter, and disconnect any other connected hardware. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with an alcohol solution with 70% alcohol and use it to clean your Stand. As with any device, avoid getting moisture in any openings or in the card slot. Don’t use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish.

To clean your iPad, remove it from the Stand and turn the iPad off. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with an alcohol solution with 70% alcohol, and use it to clean the iPad. Avoid getting moisture in any openings. This article has more information about cleaning an Apple device. Refer to the CDC’s cleaning and disinfection recommendations. 

Can I put a screen protector over the iPad in Square Stand or on my phone? 

Your iPad will fit into Square Stand with a protective screen overlay. The iPad cradle is flush with the outer edges of the iPad itself. 

Our Hardware team has confirmed that our apps will work well with a screen protector on a mobile device. If you'd like an added shield for your mobile device as you perform cleaning enhancements feel free to go with screen protection.

Thanks to @Hommelson for asking this question.

Can my customers use a stylus to sign on my iPad, tablet or phone? 

A stylus can be used to sign on an iPad, iPhone or Android tablet or phone. But this depends on your business set up. For example, if you are unable to secure the stylus to a kiosk/checkout counter the stylus could get lost. Customers can try using their own stylus or pen to sign on an iPad, iPhone or Android tablet or phone. 

Keep in mind you now have the ability to disable signatures for all payments or for payments under $25. Read more about signature-free checkout in this Product Update.

Can my customers sign an iPad, or tablet or phone, without their finger touching the screen?

We’ve heard that some sellers are asking customers to wrap their finger in disposable wax paper sheets before signing for a payment on the screen. Please see how Wrecking Ball Coffee in Berkeley, CA is using this solution here.

 

Cleaning your Point of Sale: Square Register and Square Terminal 

 

How do I clean Square Register or Square Terminal? 

An option that may help disinfect your equipment, and reduce the spread of the virus include using an alcohol solution with 70% alcohol to wipe down your hardware.

To clean your Square Register, first shut down your Register and unplug the power adapter. Then use a damp, soft, lint-free cloth to clean the Register’s exterior. Avoid getting moisture in any openings. Don’t use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish. To clean the screen on your Register, shut down the device and unplug the power adapter. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with an alcohol solution with 70% alcohol, then use it to clean the Register’s screen. 

To clean your Square Terminal, first shut down the Terminal. Clean the exterior with a damp, soft, lint-free cloth. As with Square Register, don’t use aerosol sprays, solvents, abrasives, or cleaners containing hydrogen peroxide that might damage the finish. To disinfect the screen on your Terminal, shut down your Terminal. Dampen a soft, lint-free cloth with a solution of 70% alcohol, then use it to clean the screen. Avoid using bleach and avoid getting moisture in any openings on Square Terminal. Don't submerge your device in liquid. Square Terminal has a fingerprint-resistant coating that may diminish when cleaning products are used on your device.

Refer to the CDC’s cleaning and disinfection recommendations.

Props to our Super Seller @pessosices for checking how to clean Square Register.

Can I use a screen protector on my Square Register or Square Terminal? 

The screens on Square Terminal and Square Register are made from durable material and are designed to cope with daily wear and tear. You could ask team members to clean their hands or to use hand sanitizer before using your point of sale. You could also provide hand sanitizer for customers to use.

Please keep in mind, you also have the option to disable the signature requirement. With both Square Register and Square Terminal your customers can pay with a contactless payment card and with contactless payment methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.

Can my customers use a stylus on Square Register or Square Terminal? 

[Updated] Stylus pens can also prevent employees from touching the screen directly. If you have a business with multiple employees or want to offer the stylus to customers, consider a stylus multipack to avoid cross-sharing and clean periodically with a disinfectant.

Some sellers have found the following styluses effective with Square Register and Square Terminal:

• Stylus single-pack
• Stylus multipack

Kudos to @NRWOShop2000 for raising this question.

Can my customers sign without their finger touching the screen?

We’ve heard that some sellers are asking customers to wrap their finger in disposable wax paper sheets before signing for a payment on the screen. Please see how Wrecking Ball Coffee in Berkeley, CA is using this solution here.

We hope these FAQs are helpful. If you have any questions about your Square hardware please reply below.

[Helen]

🔊 A quick note to let everyone know we've just updated this post to include information about using a stylus with Square Terminal or Square Register. Here's what we've added:

Can my customers use a stylus on Square Register or Square Terminal? 

[Updated] Stylus pens can also prevent employees from touching the screen directly. If you have a business with multiple employees or want to offer the stylus to customers, consider a stylus multipack to avoid cross-sharing and clean periodically with a disinfectant.

Some sellers have found the following styluses effective with Square Register and Square Terminal:

• Stylus single-pack
• Stylus multipack