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Cleaning a fountain pen made easy: 6 answers to the most common questions
Anyone who owns a fountain pen will know the problem: from time to time, you need to clean your pen – either because it is blotting or because it has dried out and no longer writes.
But even if your fountain pen is working perfectly normally, it should still be cleaned regularly so that you can enjoy it for as long as possible. As with any item you use frequently, proper care makes all the difference.
Do not worry: cleaning a fountain pen is not especially complicated. In most cases, it can be done in just a few minutes. The important thing is simply to keep a few points in mind.
In this blog post, we answer the most common questions and explain how to clean your fountain pen properly.
How often should I clean my fountain pen?
How often you should clean your fountain pen depends on how you use it. A simple rule of thumb: the more often you write with your fountain pen, the less often you will need to clean it. One thorough clean per year is usually enough.
If you only bring out your pen for special occasions and write with it rather infrequently, you should clean it more often. We recommend scheduling a thorough clean roughly every six months.
If you often use different inks – for example in a cartridge fountain pen with a converter – you should always clean both the converter and the pen whenever you fill it with a new ink. We also recommend cleaning your fountain pen more frequently when using colours other than classic blue, as pigments in other colours tend to settle more quickly.
How do I clean a dried-out fountain pen?
Most people have experienced this at some point: the fountain pen has not been used for a while and has dried out – and now the question is: how do I get it writing again?
In most cases, the solution is quite simple: it is often enough to dip the tip of the nib into ink to get the pen writing again. To do this, briefly remove the cartridge and place a little ink on the tip of the nib.
Still not writing? Then it has probably dried out a little more severely. Hold the nib under running water and wipe it with a cloth to remove any remaining ink.
If that still does not help, the only option is to take the pen apart and rinse it thoroughly. Remove the cartridge and flush the feed with water.
Important: before using the pen again afterwards, make sure you allow it to dry properly.
On the subject of regular care: how do you clean a fountain pen?
As mentioned above, even a fountain pen that is functioning perfectly should be cleaned from time to time so that it retains its qualities and remains with you for years to come. It should therefore be cleaned thoroughly at least once a year.
The following steps are involved:
- Take the fountain pen completely apart so that all individual parts can be cleaned separately.
- Place the front section – the grip section with the feed, along with the nib – in lukewarm water so that ink residue can loosen. In some cases, the parts may need to soak for longer, for example overnight.
- Run water through all parts to rinse away the last remaining traces.
- If you use a piston filler or converter, fill and empty the piston or converter several times with water to remove any ink residue.
- The nib should also be cleaned thoroughly, for example with the help of a small cleaning brush.
- Before reassembling the fountain pen, allow all the individual parts to dry properly.
Cleaning a fountain pen with alcohol: is it a good idea?
This is a question we hear frequently: should you use alcohol or washing-up liquid to clean a fountain pen? The clear answer is no. Both would indeed help to remove ink residue more quickly, but there is also the risk that alcohol could damage the plastic, for example, or that washing-up liquid could affect the metal.
Water is entirely sufficient to get your fountain pen clean again. So it is best to keep chemical products well away from it.
Should you use distilled water to clean a fountain pen?
As a rule, it is perfectly sufficient to clean your fountain pen with tap water. However, in areas with very hard water, it may be better to use distilled water instead. With high-quality fountain pens made of metal, either option is entirely suitable.
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[cleverreach form=275818]Cleaning a fountain pen with ultrasound: does it help?
Stubborn dirt can be removed with the help of ultrasound. For this, the fountain pen is placed in an ultrasonic bath. The principle is simple: the ultrasound creates tiny bubbles in the water, which burst and clean even the smallest pores and gaps in the pen. A cleaning solution is generally used for this process.
Opinion is divided on the usefulness of ultrasonic cleaning. Fountain pens do indeed become cleaner this way, but sometimes the ultrasound cleans a little too well – and may also affect the metal of the writing instrument and its seals.
The best way to clean a fountain pen, therefore, is still simply to use it regularly (so that it does not dry out) and to care for it properly (as described above, at least once a year).
A small life hack to finish!
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Conclusion
If you want to enjoy your fountain pen for many years, proper care is essential. At least once a year, and ideally every six months, you should give your fountain pen a thorough clean. Lukewarm water, perhaps a small cleaning brush for the nib, and 10 minutes of your time are often all that is needed.
And one final, very simple tip: write with your fountain pen. That is the best protection against drying out and remains the finest form of care for any fountain pen.