Can inkjet nozzles be cleaned with solvents?

Question

I've got an Epson Photo Stylus printer. I know that there is a nozzle cleaning utility & I've used it successfully. But after the surface ink gets really old and crusty, the utility does NOT work very well & wastes a great deal of ink.

Has anyone tried applying isopropyl alcohol or other solvent to the nozzles?

Answer 1

Try this link. I used their solvent but it's a nuisance (for me).

http://www.fixyourownprinter.com/kea0.html

I find that when you don't print regularly the ink tubes clog like ballpoint pens that sit too long. I created a file with three text boxes which I filled with red, yellow and blue. I print this once a week. Even then, when the cartridges get old they do not work well. I was advised to remove the offending cartridge and sit it in a dish of no more than 1/2 inch boiling water for 10-15 minutes. Sometimes this helps.

Answer 2

I have used alchohol with an HP printer with pretty good results... I have tried using on both the "out jets" of the cartridge and the intake where the cartridge meets the printer. Never actually tried the jets that point at/to the paper, though.

Usually if I haven't used the printer in a while, I use the alcohol as above and use the built in "clean the nozzles" utilitiy a few times and then replace the cartridges... the combination works well for me.

Answer 3

Yeah, you can try using the utility like a dozen times or so, and although it wastes a lot of ink, it is often required when the print head is heavily clogged with dried ink.

You can try using a light solvent, but a lot of the time, you end up moving the dried ink into a different position within the nozzle instead of removing it completely. So make sure you try the cleaning utility many times before you attempt to clean it by hand. Obviously, it's worth cleaning by hand before having to replace it..

Answer 4

Yeah, try some iso alcohol. Most of the jet holes are metal so it should be ok. Don't worry about corrosion because if that ever happens, by the time it does, the printer will need to be replaced for other problems (like 5+ years) So, since ink is not cheap, it is best to make sure you ar getting the best out of each cartridge cause a new printer is almost as much as 2 replacement ink cartridges.

Answer 5

I use water and i clean gently the nozzles...then you must run the utility a dozen times.....sorry , it wastes a lot of ink, but that the only way. Else buy a new head (very expensive, you may consider buying a new printer)

Answer 6

It is not a desired solution cause there is this tiny little membrane, underneath the metal dispensers, that could get damaged, but if u use it with caustion of course!:)
the question is why do u need it- if your cartridge ink is stuck at the dispenser, I dont this would help, of course again, if U do it little by little not soaking the cloth too much- it might as well do the trick, try every once in a while with a test page to get it going.
If u just mess up- believe me it shall be a major blunder:)), u might need to use the cloth and alchohol to clean your desk and inside printer parts;)
check new cartridges prices here, and just try ordering one, its painless:))
http://bulgle.com/ads/123inkjet.php
http://bulgle.com/L/L/0000.php

Answer 7

Gently clean with warm water only. The ink is soluble. A solvent might ruin everything.

Answer 8

I wouldn't risk it, the print head is a very delicate peice of equiptment and since it is integrated into the printer you are risking doing more harm than good.

Answer 9

i wont, the solvet could be very corrosive(sorry about spellin). i work for HP making inkjets. the best way would be a small bit of water.