Cleaning a clogged up Inkjet Cartridge

[Lancashire Lad]

Having previously taken scrupulous heed of manufacturer's dire warnings about not touching the copper foil inkjet "nozzles" (if that's the right word for whatever they are) on inkjet cartridges, I had become increasingly irritated at my printer's propensity to dry up after a few weeks non-use.

I must have wasted at least half of the inks I've ever bought putting printers through nozzle/head cleaning cycles. More often than not, several cleaning cycles being needed on each occasion.

When it happened again this week, I took the drastic action of wiping the cartridge "nozzle" with a tissue soaked in hot water, which immediately removed the dried up ink.

Put it back in the printer, and - Eureka - perfect printing from the word go.

From now on that's my plan of action.

It might not work for everyone, but I'm darned sure it's going to save me money in future.

Regards
Mike.

[Kev-B]

Well done Mike & thanks for the tip ...

Good to know there are still those who "boldly go" etc ...

In the event that a cartridge is beyond redemption .. I always use "Cartridge World" for re-filling .. far cheaper than buying a new one ..

Bye for now ..

Kev ..

[agrumpycow]

That sounds a very useful tip, nice one

We've never tried Cartridge World for refilling and will give them a go. In the past we've used the computer desk at the local post office and, despite being half the cost of a new cartridge, it only lasts a few pictures.

[Darley]

I have switched to using printers with cartridges that incorporate the print head, so it gets replaced every time you change the cartridge and theoretically print quality remains constant. I have had about 8 printers and they all suffer from blocked heads eventually, and once they start to go it's usally only a matter of a short time before they become unsalvageable.

[Lancashire Lad]

Just a word of warning that I didn't think to put in my original post.

Some printers have those "chipped" cartridges that won't print ever again once removed from the printer.

If yours is one of those, don't try the above, or your cartridge definitely won't be any good thereafter.

Regards
Mike.

[Jim Ford]

Arthur Entlich, who posts on comp.periphs.printers is an expert on techniques for clearing blocked printer nozzles. If you email him at e-printerhelp@mvps.org he'll email you his article, but as he's quite busy he may take awhile to respond.

This link is also interesting:

http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/a..._cleaning.html

Jim

[Lancashire Lad]

Nice one Jim - There is some seriously good advice on this site. (and not just about wildlife ).

I'll try the bathroom cleaner trick, if plain hot water ever fails to work.

Regards
Mike

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Lancashire Lad

I'll try the bathroom cleaner trick, if plain hot water ever fails

The problem with bathroom cleaner is that the one they recommend is no longer made.

Dilute ammonia solution is often recommended for printer nozzles and Arthur Entlich's technique uses it.

Jim

[Hobjob]

Hot water on a tissue is not, in my experience, as effective
as putting boiling water into a pre-heated suacer and then
dipping the the end of the cartridge in that - dry off with
tissue asap.

Generic cartridges and re-fills, according to the officianados,
and in my experience, are more trouble than the manufacturers
own brand,

Old cartridge also can block up more easily.

[Lancashire Lad]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

Hot water on a tissue is not, in my experience, as effective
as putting boiling water into a pre-heated suacer and then
dipping the the end of the cartridge in that - dry off with
tissue asap.

Generic cartridges and re-fills, according to the officianados,
and in my experience, are more trouble than the manufacturers
own brand,

Old cartridge also can block up more easily.

Your method may well be better Hobjob, I just posted what I'd done as it had worked first time for me.

I concur with your statement regarding third party cartridges, I didn't get as many "dry-ups" using the printer manufacturers own brand. (Although they were still as wasteful of ink using nozzle/head clean process).

But, the one's I'm now using, are less than half the price, contain more ink, and I cannot differentiate on the printed results - so if the dry-up problem is sorted, I've no complaints at all, in sticking with them.

Best regards
Mike.