How to Clean and Refill Fountain Pens

How to Clean and Refill Fountain Pens

All major pen brands guarantee their customers a lifetime of writing pleasure, as is expected when using high-quality products. To ensure this, it is important to keep your valuable writing instrument well-maintained and clean. However, the cleaning process is not complicated. For cleaning piston-filling pens, for example, all you need is clean water.

How to Clean Pens Used Daily

If you use your fountain pen every day, it is sufficient to rinse it once a year with lukewarm running water (without using detergents). To do this, draw a little water through the nib by turning the piston knob to the right, then expel the water by turning the knob in the opposite direction.

How to Clean Pens Used Infrequently

If you use your fountain pen only occasionally, try to use up all the ink at least every six months. Otherwise, empty the reservoir and rinse it with lukewarm water. If you rarely use the pen, it is advisable to fill the reservoir only halfway. If you have not used the pen for a long time, clean it before starting to write.

Colored Inks

Colored inks contain more pigments than blue ink. Therefore, if you use colored inks, your fountain pen needs to be cleaned more frequently. Leaving your fountain pen uncapped when you have finished writing can accelerate clogging. This happens because the water-based dispersion evaporates much more quickly, causing solid components to settle inside the pen. As a result, the ink thickens and accumulates in the capillary grooves of the ink feed and the fine capillaries of the piston mechanism. In other words: your fountain pen will stop writing.

Therefore, if you use your pen only occasionally, we recommend filling the reservoir only partially and rinsing it with lukewarm water every 2-3 months (without detergents).

Helpful Suggestions:

• Do not purchase excessive amounts of ink and use it within 3-4 years.

• Always close your fountain pen with the appropriate airtight cap.

• Do not expose the fountain pen to extreme temperatures (such as freezing cold or intense heat).

• Never use detergents like liquid soap or cleaning agents to clean the pen!

• Never wash the pen with hot water!