You need a shredder to securely dispose of sensitive documents and protect against identity theft, data breaches, and unauthorized access to confidential information. Shredding ensures compliance with privacy laws and regulations, safeguards personal and business data, and prevents misuse of discarded documents.

When buying a shredder, consider volume of use, security level, material type, convenience (autofeed vs. manual), sheet capacity, and available space.

Volume: Deskside shredders for personal use, office shredders for moderate use, department/high-capacity shredders for heavy duty use.

Security: Choose high security shredders for sensitive documents.

Material: Use digital media shredders for CDs, credit cards, and hard drives.

Convenience: Autofeed shredders for bulk shredding, manual for smaller tasks. (Read more on Autofeed vs Manual Shredding)

Capacity: Ensure it matches your typical shredding load.

Environment: Select based on available space and usage setting.

Paper shredders can also shred staples, paper clips, credit cards, CDs, DVDs, ID cards, junk mail, floppy disks, and some digital media, depending on the model. Always check the shredder's specifications for compatibility.

A shredder is deemed "high security" if it meets stringent security standards, such as P-4 to P-7, which produce extremely small, unreadable particles. These shredders are designed to securely destroy confidential or classified information, ensuring maximum data protection.

When purchasing a high-security shredder, look for certifications such as NSA/CSS EPL, DIN 66399, and TAA compliance to ensure it meets stringent security and performance standards. Dahle high-security shredders are NSA/CSS approved, meaning they meet the rigorous standards set by the National Security Agency/Central Security Service for the destruction of classified information, ensuring maximum security and data protection.

Yes, Dahle’s oil-free shredders have a unique design with three contact points that pull paper straight through, preventing jams. The aggressive teeth provide enhanced shredding power without requiring oil, ensuring optimal performance.

Oil-free shredders use specially designed cutting cylinders that don't require lubrication, reducing maintenance and operating costs. In contrast, auto oilers have a built-in system that regularly applies oil to the cutting blades, ensuring smooth operation but requiring periodic oil refills.

Since these machines never require oiling, they are easier and cleaner to maintain, saving you money and hassle on supplies in the long run.

Using Dahle Shredder Oil will not damage your shredder – oiling is optional for these models and will not affect their performance.

DAHLE CleanTEC® shredders are the most advanced on the market, featuring the world's first integrated dust filtration system. This protection works by capturing dust within a sealed internal system, where particles are pushed into a specialized filter. This unique system removes 98% of fine dust particles before they enter the air, promoting a healthier and cleaner work environment. 

Fine dust is harmful because these tiny particles, which are much smaller than the diameter of a human hair, are invisible and can deeply penetrate your respiratory system.

The DAHLE CleanTEC® system captures fine dust particles ranging from .01mm to .001mm in diameter. For context, the average human hair is approximately .1mm in diameter.

DAHLE CleanTEC® Shredders utilize a specialized 3-ply broad-spectrum nonwoven filter from Freudenberg Filtration Technologies. This fully recyclable filter permanently traps up to 98% of fine dust particles.

• Use the reverse function to eject jammed paper.
• Turn off and unplug the shredder, then use tweezers to carefully remove the blockage.
• Feed only the recommended number of sheets at a time.
• Oil the blades regularly to reduce friction and prevent jams.

Your shredder may not be starting because:

• It might not be plugged in or switched on.
• The shredder bin may not be properly closed.
• The shredder could be overheated and needs to cool down.
• The paper might not be correctly aligned in the feed slot.
• There may be a blockage or jam.

Most modern Dahle shredder models are oil-free and do not require manual lubrication for optimal performance. However, the higher security models (P-5, P-6, and P-7) come with automatic oilers that need periodic oil tank refills. 

Most noise from shredders is caused by vibrations from the cutting mechanism but Dahle has tackled this issue by installing rubber shock mounts that support the cutting cylinder compartment, effectively reducing noise.

• It has been used continuously for an extended period.
• The cooling vents are blocked, preventing proper airflow.
• It is operating beyond its intended sheet capacity.
• Lack of regular maintenance or oiling may increase friction.

Properly oiling a shredder is crucial to prevent jamming and ensure it operates at full capacity. WD-40, a penetrating oil, can cause paper to stick together and jam the cutting mechanism. Dahle Shredder Oil is the best choice, as it is specially formulated for our shredders, offering high cling value and low dust retention. For more insights on the importance of regular oiling and the best practices, check out our blog on Why You Need to Oil Your Shredder and How to Do It Right.

Your shredder might only work in reverse due to a blocked or dirty sensor, a malfunctioning control panel, a jam, or overheating. To resolve this, unplug the shredder and check for any blockages or jams. Ensure small documents are inserted directly over the mechanical sensor. If the sensor is obstructed, turn off the unit and use pliers, tweezers, or a toothpick to remove debris. Additionally, pressing a credit card on the sensor for about 5 seconds can help clear debris or oil buildup. For electronic sensors, make sure to insert paper in the center of the shredder’s mouth. If the issue persists, consult the shredder's manual or contact customer support for further assistance. For more detailed troubleshooting tips, check out our blog on How to Troubleshoot Common Shredder Issues

Your shredder should be plugged directly into a wall outlet to ensure it receives the proper voltage for operation. Using an extension cord or power strip can damage the shredder and will void the warranty.