The increasing popularity of inkjet printers because of their relative friendliness and better costs has given an obvious rise to an increase in the number of printers getting used. This inherently means that every day more and more people are using inkjet printers. Looking at this, each individual who uses any inkjet printer or has used one has encountered a very common situation – the head (otherwise known as the printhead) of the printer is clogged. The big question then needs to be confronted – What is to be done now for cleaning the clogged printhead?
Earlier, printer companies and service centers often used to offer a universal solution – Replacing the entire printhead assembly, which is a prominent but really expensive option.
If there is no alternative available, this is the only solution we need to resort to. Thankfully, before this stage comes, there is another step that can be taken, i.e., trying and cleaning the printhead.
Why do printheads get clogged?
The most prominent reason for this is that ink droplets remain in the nozzles and dry up there. This blocks the nozzles, making them unable to make the subsequent ink droplets pass through them. This further accumulates more ink droplets which dry up there because of the inability to pass, and the same cycle repeats eventually blocking the entire ink passage.
What to do if the printhead is blocked?
The commencing of a blockage is evident from white lines on the prints or an incomplete nozzle pattern. The appropriate steps are to run cleaning cycles as specified by the printer manuals.
Even when cleaning cycles do not work, the printheads are detached from the printer and are supposedly cleaned chemically. Here is where the questions over the choice of chemicals overwhelm the process and might end up making the printheads worse.
How? Let’s have a look.
What general chemicals are there for printhead cleaning? Should you use them?
Normally, solutions of acetone, Isopropyl alcohol, water, or ammonia are among some solutions which are suggested for printhead cleaning because of considerations of costs, availability, and usability. However, there are certain downsides to these. Let’s have look at these using the most commonly asked questions about printhead cleaning solutions.
- Can I use water to clean the printhead?
No. Not at all. Unfiltered water can clog nozzles. Water contains suspended impurities and dissolved salts.
Even RO water or drinking water has TDS in the range of 50 to 100). Inkjet inks are made with highly pure water having near zero TDS, no dissolved salts, and no suspended impurities. Even bottled water is harmful as it contains added minerals that may prove impure for the printheads. Inks are made with a Nanofiltration system to avoid such clogging.
Some might suggest distilled water since it is free from such impurities. Well, while distilled water does not harm the printhead, it most certainly is not effective in dissolving the ink particles. Plus, the surface tension of distilled water makes it difficult to propagate through small spaces and channels in and around the nozzles.
Hence, no kind of water is advisable to clean printheads.
- Can I use Ammonia?
Ammonia cannot be used directly for head cleaning it may be used in diluted form. However improper dilution presents a risk that may affect the internal components of the printhead. The cleaning is done to a primary extent but this solution is not reliable and consistent as water is involved.
- Can I use Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)?
IPA is good for a temporary solution. However, it serves a minimal purpose by dissolving the solidified ink to a limited extent. Some printhead parts may react with IPA and this may result in a damaged printhead.
- Can I use Acetone?
Acetone is a very aggressive solvent that needs extensively careful handling. It effectively dissolves the solidified ink in the nozzles. However, it also dissolves the internal polymer components of the printhead. Due to its strong corrosive nature, acetone should not be used to clean the printheads.
Overall, acetone is not such a good idea to use for printhead cleaning.
Is there any chemical that is customized solely for printhead cleaning?
A proper cleaning solution may take a little longer to clean and recover printheads as it is mild in action, but on the other hand, is very safe for printheads.
Splashjet has manufactured several such auxiliary solutions that help in the prevention of printhead blockage in the first place and also a few that help clean a clogged printhead.
Splashjet – DM-Wash solution is economical, Nano-filtered, and with preservatives to avoid any Microbial contamination on storage. This is recommended for flushing internal components of the ink system thereby removing dried, residual inks. It doesn’t have a cleaning action. This solution is not recommended for jetting the print head.
Splashjet – Transfer Solution is a colorless Ink used for flushing and purging the printheads and ink system. It is especially helpful while switching from one ink to another type of ink like from Dye ink to sublimation ink. This solution also offers mild cleaning performance, especially with temporary clogs of the printhead. This solution can be jetted through printhead nozzles, which helps improve the jetting accuracy of the nozzles. Specific versions of this solution are offered based on printhead technology and fluid handling specifications.
Splashjet Dr. Clean is a highly effective solution for the removal of old or persistent nozzle blocks. This solution gradually dissolves the clogs. This solution can be jetted through printhead nozzles, which helps expedite the cleaning process. Specific versions of this solution are offered based on printhead technology and fluid handling specifications. Do note that, with its strong action, the solution is not recommended to be mixed directly with the inks. All due precautions need to be taken for effective results with “Dr. Clean”.
Many of our customers with prolonged continuous use of printers use the above solutions with great success. The solutions have helped our customers across the world to enhance and in many cases immensely prolong the life of their printer heads, even in cases of frequent ink changeovers.
At Splashjet, our job doesn’t stop with offering affordable inks with reliable performance. It’s done only when our customers get maximum life and performance of printheads with Splashjet inks.
You can check out our website for more such solutions or reach out to us directly.
Website: https://splashjet-ink.com
Contact details:
Mail – info@splashjet-ink.com
Call / WhatsApp – +91-9209-008-467
Important Note: The working of any print head cleaning solutions depends on the cause of clogging, the amount of clogging, and its duration. A completely non-functional printhead blocked for a considerable amount of time will not respond as desired to any cleaning solution. While selecting cleaning solutions, consider these factors carefully.
cleaning solution for inkjet printers, Printheads clogged, Solution for Printheads
