Taking Care of Your Inkjet Cartridges: A Comprehensive Guide

Inkjet cartridges, while designed to be robust, need careful handling to maintain their effectiveness. It’s advisable to unpack a new or refilled cartridge only when you’re ready to place it in the printer.

Handling Refilled Cartridges

Refilled cartridges often come with a plastic adhesive strip over the print head, ensuring its safety. This adhesive is specially formulated to not interfere with the print head, so refrain from using other adhesives, such as packaging tape, which can harm the print heads.

Preventing Colour Contamination

Extended periods of inactivity can cause colour cartridges to become contaminated due to capillary action. Whether in storage or within the printer, make sure to use cartridges regularly to prevent colours from mixing.

Carrying and Storing Cartridges

It’s important to store cartridges correctly to avoid leaks. Avoid leaving them on the car seat, dashboard, or floor, as heat can cause them to leak. Even on a cool day, it’s advisable to store cartridges in the glove box and to remove them promptly.

In cold weather, avoid keeping them near heaters. Regardless of precautions, remember that cartridges can leak even with a seal in place.

Preserving Inkjet Cartridges

If your cartridge runs out and there’s a delay in refilling it, place it in a carrying case and store it in a cool place. If you don’t have a case, wrap the cartridge in clingfilm, place it in a small plastic bag, and keep it in the refrigerator.

Refilling cartridges while there’s a small amount of ink left, particularly those without sponge-type reservoirs, can greatly increase the success rate of the refilling process.

Dealing with Cartridges That Won’t Print

In some cases, a cartridge might not print if it’s been left unused in the printer for too long. If running a cleaning cycle doesn’t help, remove the cartridge and place the print head surface on a damp tissue. If it’s a colour cartridge, you should see spots of all the colours on the tissue.

In extreme cases, you might need to place the cartridge, print head down, in a saucer filled with boiling water. Agitate the cartridge gently for about twenty seconds, then carefully pat the print head dry with a tissue.

Ensure no moisture remains on the cartridge’s electrical contacts. If wet, wipe them clean gently using a soft tissue, as wet contacts can severely damage the printer’s electronics. Avoid using methylated spirits to clean print heads, as their chemical composition can lead to blockages.

Seeking Professional Help

If all else fails, don’t hesitate to bring your cartridge to your nearest recharge store. They’re equipped with the knowledge and tools to address any issues with your inkjet cartridges.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use any adhesive to seal the print head of a refilled cartridge? No, it’s advised to only use the special adhesive strip that comes with the refilled cartridge. Other adhesives can potentially harm the print heads.
2. What happens if I leave a colour cartridge unused for a long period? Extended periods of inactivity can lead to colour contamination due to capillary action causing the colours to mix. Regular use is recommended to prevent this.
3. Where should I store cartridges when not in use? If your cartridge runs out and there’s a delay in refilling it, store it in a cool place. You can place it in its carrying case, or wrap it in clingfilm, place it in a small plastic bag, and keep it in the refrigerator.
4. My cartridge is not printing. What can I do? If a cartridge doesn’t print after a period of inactivity, try placing the print head surface on a damp tissue. If it’s a colour cartridge, you should see spots of all the colours on the tissue. For more severe cases, the cartridge print head can be submerged in boiling water for about twenty seconds.