Using this paper towel roll is easy. Just walk up to it and pull on the towel. The touch - free mechanism will dispense about 12 feet of towel for you. When it's time to replace the roll, unlock the cabinet using the provided keys (either the removable or permanent one). Open the door with the piano - hinge. Take out the old roll and put in a new 8 - inch wide and up to 8 - inch diameter roll that's 800 feet long. The automatic transfer feature will handle the stub roll. For maintenance, keep the unit clean by wiping it with a soft cloth regularly. Avoid using harsh chemicals on the satin - finish stainless steel or the plastic parts as they might damage the surface. Make sure the lock works properly by checking it from time to time.