When using an inkjet or laser printer, you may need to clean the cartridge. At home, the devices are often used irregularly, but, despite this, they need proper care. Timely cleaning helps to obtain high-quality prints, allows to prolong operation time of equipment. Cleaning with your own hands can be done in hot and cold ways. To implement it in time, you should know the first signs of malfunction, associated with cartridges.
Signs of the need for cleaning
About that, that there is a need to inspect the inkjet cartridges, indicates a number of printing defects, the main of which are the following:
- on test printouts, the templates contain jagged or fuzzy lines;
- Ink stains appear on the sheets while the device is running;
- one or more colors are missing when printing a test template;
- Horizontal streaks form on the paper when you receive photos and other color images.
Low print quality
The considered defects are characteristic of various models of devices, example, Epson, HP, Samsung, Canon. When rebooting does not help to get rid of the unpleasant phenomenon, then you need to clean the cartridges of the device. There are several reasons, why you need to do it regularly:
- downtime can happen, dried paint in the nozzles, and it needs to be removed, to remove debris;
- dust from the air settles inside the printer, especially on nodes covered with ink - the print head, cartridges.
For laser cleaning devices, the toner is replaced. This removes old paint and other contaminants from the cartridge. The work is carried out with the help of napkins, lint-free cloths or brushes. The important thing is that the electrical contacts remained clean. The work is carried out according to a certain algorithm and does not require special skills.
Cleaning algorithm
Many "jets" are equipped with built-in automatic cleaning programs. To spend it, proceed as follows:
- open the control panel;
- go into the settings of printing equipment;
- there choose the necessary section - "Cartridge tools and cleaning";
- make a test printout of a blank sheet.
The operation can be repeated many times. Built-in tools allow you to get rid of minor contaminants.
If the function is missing, then you can download the program from disk or the Internet and install it. Then, in the print settings, select Printer Maintenance., then you need to open the print settings, start cleaning. The program instructions should be followed. Most often, the procedure must be performed repeatedly.
When the software method did not help, then you can get rid of the problem in several other ways. Algorithms are the same for different models of jet technology, the only difference is the method of accessing the cartridges. This may require a set of screwdrivers with different nozzles.
Scheme of work, regardless of the selected cleaning method, next:
- cartridge extraction;
- soaking;
- washing;
- drying;
- refueling;
- installation in a printer;
- control printout.
You need to work carefully, so as not to smear the surrounding objects with ink, clothing.
Cold way
To implement the cold method you need to stock up on such available tools and materials:
- rubber gloves (medical);
- syringe;
- napkins (fabric) of paper or cotton;
- clean water;
- pipette;
- special detergent for glass, which includes isopropyl alcohol or ethylene glycol.
An example of a suitable detergent is "Mr. Muscle", "Mr. Shine".
The whole process takes place in this sequence:
- remove the cartridge from the printer;
- place it nozzles up (on specially lined fabric);
- on them put cleaning liquid in some drops by means of a pipette;
- expect approximately 10 minutes;
- then wet with a napkin nozzle, wipe them dry with a cloth.
You may need a screwdriver to remove it, depending on the device model.
The above manipulations are not always enough. If the nozzles are clogged, then the operation is continued:
- take a small container;
- fill it with cleaning fluid, pouring about a layer 3 mm;
- immersed in the nozzle;
- soak them in liquid for hours 3;
- remove and wipe dry.
After wiping the cartridge nozzles, located in the working position, fabric, it should leave an ink mark, which is a characteristic result of complete purification. An ordinary plastic lid from under the jars will be suitable as a container for the detergent composition.
If the above actions did not lead to the desired result, then do so:
- prepare a silicone or rubber cap, designed to close the air intake hole, located on the top cover of the cartridge;
- pulling the piston, fill the syringe with the contents of the atmosphere;
- put on the needle cut cap;
- insert it into the air intake;
- pressing on the plunger of the syringe, expel air.
The dried dye is squeezed out of the nozzles by high pressure. After cleaning the cartridge is wiped, refuel and insert it into place inside the device. The quality of cleaning is checked by printing the template.
Hot method
If the cartridge dries, then you can also use the hot method, when pre-wiping with wipes did not give the desired result. The algorithm is as follows:
- the bottom of a small container is covered with hot water;
- immerse the nozzles to it;
- change the water, without waiting for it to cool;
- the procedure is repeated until then, until the staining stops;
- then the used detergent is poured into the used utensils, mix it with water, based on proportion 1 to 1;
- the bottom of the cartridge is left for a couple of hours in solution;
- after the cartridges are washed, using hot water, then dried;
- check the permeability of the ink, wiping with a napkin nozzle, located in position for work;
- when the result is unsatisfactory, then all manipulations are repeated again.
You can also blow with a syringe as described above.
Special liquids for removing dried ink are available. They are even divided into types of cartridges, but the scheme of working with them is the same.
You do not need to perform any complicated manipulations when cleaning the cartridge, but the procedure itself is quite time consuming. The simplest option when working independently is to use special built-in programs. If none of the considered methods will lead to the desired result, then it is necessary to remove the contamination with the participants of the printing units of equipment. When that doesn't help, then you should contact the specialists of the service center. They will pinpoint the cause of the problem, will advise options for its elimination.