If you want to check the wiper you can do all that, otherwise just power up the machine, and when the head has moved over the left as it's starting up, pull the door open.
The wiper is most likely not an issue unless the machine has been in use for a while and the printer has required a lot of cleaning. I don't think the wiper is likely to contribute to problems such as this, since it isn't touching the head except when the printer cleans. If the spots only happened after a cleaning, then perhaps.
I would recommend not using anything that might tear easily, especially when wet. As mentioned a pec pad works well, or perhaps better a high quality micro fiber cloth. The cloth will hold more solution and is slightly thicker.
I'm not sure what harm there is in moving the head back and forth a few times ... It's not like there is sand or grit in there to scratch things. Because the pad or cloth is wet it will pull ink through the nozzles. In fact you probably won't ever get a "clean" wipe, since the wet pad should pull ink each time, even if there isn't any on the head. Also, in talking with with some Epson insiders (not their tech support line), windex can damage the coatings the head, they recommended using only distilled water. He recommended moving the head back and forth 3 or 4 times, then go for a clean area of the cloth or new one. The head doesn't need to be spotless (they rarely are) just need to make sure there isn't a clump of gunk on there somewhere.
Usually the head is picking it up as it passes over the capping and cleaning station. Normally that's all that needs cleaned up to eliminate spots like this.
I wrap a pec pad or micro fiber cloth around a single or double thickness of Kodak photographic paper, epson luster would probably work pretty as well, tape the pec bad or cloth to the paper so it can't move get it good and wet, hold it in position and a couple of swipes normally is all it takes. I don't worry much about getting it "cleaned" if the problem is just some splotches, as this is normally caused by a mess at the damper/capping station.
If the problem is deflected nozzles where the ink has gotten very problematic, I usually try to position the head over the wet cloth and let it soak. There have been a couple of times I've had to resort to Windex to clear a deflected nozzle, but for most I've helped with these problems the distilled water works.
These instructions are entirely DIY and are performed at your own risk.
absolutely ... doubtful anyone calling epson for support would get this advice. When trying to clean the head surface don't force anything.
