Custom Inkjet Wash Fluid Composition

Wash fluids are an indispensable tool when it comes to cleaning cartridges and printheads (GHGs) of printers. They can be found on store shelves with supplies or try to make yourself. The article will focus on the composition of the washing, on how to cook it yourself and properly use it.

Custom printer wash fluids

A feature of the composition of the acquired wash liquid is that it is almost identical to the composition of the ink used for printing. Due to this, it is possible to avoid the rapid precipitation of pigment deposits. Such a precipitate is formed in any case, since the paint has a very limited shelf life, usually 12 months. The option with its dilution will not be the best - the precipitate will fall anyway.

The following brands are most popular among users:

1. Inktec. It is used to clean cartridges and PG inkjet printers of the Epson and Canon brands. A signal indicating the need to use such a liquid can be a bad print - when one of the colors is not printed (we are talking about color printing). Long-standing devices are also a reason to use flushing. The shelf life of the fluid is 24 months.
2. Flushing OCP. Another option used to clean printheads. The liquid is packaged in small bottles of 100 ml each. She is suitable for 24 months.

Reference! Liquids purchased at the store or made by hand are also suitable for preserving printing equipment.

How to make do-it-yourself wash liquid

An easy way to clean the printer is to use distilled water heated to 50-60 ° C. It will be possible to cope with the task only on condition that the equipment was idle for no longer than 2-3 months.

In case of longer interruptions in operation, the flushing fluid will have to be improved with additional components. There are several options:

1. Neutral flushing. It can be used to tidy up the printing elements of devices of any brand. The solution contains distilled water (80% of the total volume), ethyl alcohol (10%) and glycerin (10%).
2. Alkaline flushing. It is often used by owners of Epson and Canon brands. For preparation, the same components are used as for neutral washing, but an aqueous solution of ammonia is also added (10% of the total volume). Accordingly, the amount of water decreases (70% is taken).
3. Acid flushing. A good option for cleaning printers brand Hewlett-Packard (abbreviated HP). In addition to distilled water (80%) and ethyl alcohol (10%), acetic acid (another 10% of the total volume) is included.

Another way of self-preparation of washing liquid involves the use of detergents for cleaning glass and mirrors. Suitable products that include isopropyl alcohol, aqueous ammonia.

These components can soften dried ink droplets on the printer head. For cooking, you need distilled water and a cleaning agent in a ratio of 9: 1. The accuracy of the proportion can be observed when using a large volume medical syringe. If it was not possible to clean the head, you can increase the amount of cleaning agent in the mixture and try again.

Attention! The maximum allowable amount of glass and mirror detergent is 50%. Excess can lead to the dissolution of special sealant and elements of the printing nozzles available in the printer head, and, as a result, to equipment failure.

Avoid the unpleasant consequences of using home-made fluids by a small check. A couple of drops of printer ink are mixed with the prepared composition and left for several hours. If, as a result, the ink changes from a liquid to a viscous state, it is better to abandon the use of washing and look for an alternative.

What is flushing fluid for and how to use it

A liquid for cleaning printing elements of home and office equipment is useful in a number of cases:

1. If you need to rid the cartridge of the remnants of previously used ink. This action should be performed before refilling new ink, especially those made by another manufacturer.
2. When you need to solve the problem with clogged nozzles of printheads. Home-made or purchased products are used after the regular cleaning method has not brought the desired result. The dried paint dissolves due to washing, the function of the head is restored.
3. If other items of equipment are contaminated with ink droplets and should be cleaned.

There are two applications for flushing - using a special ultrasonic bath and without it. The first option involves the following sequence of actions:

• the print head is removed and placed in a cleaning liquid 1 cm (for 2-3 minutes);
• the element is transferred to an ultrasonic bath previously filled with distilled water and left there for 5 seconds;
• with the help of a gas station and a syringe, about 1 ml of ink is drawn from the GHG;
• dirt and ink are removed with a cloth;
• the printing element is returned to its place, regular cleaning and printing of the test pattern is done.

If necessary, repeat the procedure.

The second option looks like this:

• the removed head is placed in a container with warm water (approximately 50 ° C) and aged there for about 5 minutes;
• the element is placed for 10 minutes in another container (with flushing liquid) so that it is immersed in the composition by 1 cm;
• 1 ml of ink is pumped out of PG;
• ink and dirt are removed from the surface with a tissue;
• The GHG is installed back into the printer, regular cleaning is done and test printing is carried out.

If the desired effect was not achieved the first time, the procedure is repeated (sometimes 3 times in a row).

Wash liquid is a solution whose main task is to effectively clean the printing elements of printers and multifunction devices. Timely cleaning extends the life of any equipment.