Clean Your Student ID to Extend Its Life
Tuesday, October 13, 2009 by Chris Lesinski Your school probably charges you every time you get a new student ID. That should set a goal for you: Get that one student ID to last you all four years. The magnetic strip is the one thing that will face unavoidable wear-and-tear -- but Lifehacker explains how to clean that sensitive strip, thus extending its life:
All you need is an eraser and a damp towel. Wipe the card clean with the towel to remove any grimey build up deposited onto your card from your wallets or card reader machines. It's not something that gets extra dirty, but the small particles when compacted with continuous swiping/use can rub off the magnetic strip holding your card's information.
Next take the eraser (we prefer Pink Pearl erasers, but the one on the end of a pencil will do just fine) and gently erase/rub the magnetic strip on the back. It will remove any gunk that's built up over time.
Doing that on a regular basis might make that thing keep into your alumni years -- when you'll still need it for the illegitimate student discounts.
How long has your student ID lasted?
Reader Comments (5)
My university in Belgium just gives me a new one every year.
Also, no magnetic strip, just a barcode and RFID.
My college issues me a new one every year as well. It does have a magnetic strip, but it also has an RFID chip too. However, making it last the full year is challenge enough, especially since mine tends to warp in my wallet.
Weird. My school ID has lasted me 3 years, yet shows no signs of wear and tear.
You may think it is funny, but you might actually keep your student ID well after college. So this is a good idea. I know I never thought of that, but after college I was still using it for student discounts etc for many years. Keep it in good shape.
Our student IDs don't have a magnetic strip or RFID :( only a barcode... The biggest prob i've had was it warping over time, i've gone through 3 of them so far in 4 years (which I guess isn't too bad). Then again we don't use them often since we can't charge things to our bursar accounts :(