Cleaning your Fountain Pen: A How-To Guide (2024)

Your fountain pen is your baby in the office. Not only is it a writing utensil, but a statement of career pride and self-actualization. A fountain pen can offer you a lifetime of quality writing, if cared for regularly. In this guide, you will learn the necessary steps to clean your fountain pen from dried ink and fibers, and maintain a smooth ink flow.

Parts of a Fountain Pen

It is important to familiarize yourself with the different components of the pen before you can clean it.

Step by Step Cleaning Process

1. Remove the nib and feed.

Uncap the pen and delicately pull the nib to detach it from the body. You may also separate the nib from the feed.

2. Rinse the nib and feed.

Hold the nib and feed under cool running water, allowing any residual ink to be washed off.

3. Soak the nib and feed.

Soak the nib in a glass of room temperature water, changing the water as soon as it becomes infused with ink. Repeat the process until the water is clear.

4. Dry the nib and feed.

Place the nib and feed on a paper towel and let them dry for 12 to 24 hours. It is recommended to place them in a tilted position, to drain the water completely.

5. Put the fountain pen back together.

After ensuring the nib and feed are completely dry, put your fountain pen back together.

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How often should you clean your fountain pen?

Cleaning your fountain pen should be done on a regular basis. As a rule of thumb, you should clean your fountain pen every 4 to 6 weeks even if it’s writing smoothly. You should also clean your pen when changing ink.

Can I use ammonia to clean my fountain pen?

Most fountain pens can be cleaned with ammonia, provided they are not made out of aluminum or celluloid parts. Make sure to read the instructions of your pen before proceeding. Mix one teaspoon of ammonia with one cup of water, and soak the nib and feed overnight. Then take out the nib and feed and place them on a paper towel overnight, to remove any residual moisture.

Cleaning the Outside of the Pen

The inside of your fountain pen is now working well, and ink is running smoothly. However, you notice that you need to tend to the outside of the fountain pen, to return the silver, gold or other outer materials, to their brand new splendor.

There are many steps to clean your fountain pen from the outside:

- For pens made of silver, you can use silver polish on a polishing cloth, and gently clean it. If there are etches on your pen, apply a small amount of silver polish onto a soft toothbrush, and brush the area. The silver polish will enter the etches of the pen.

- For hard metal finishes, such as chrome, platinum and stainless steel, you can use a soft cloth to clean them.

- For lacquer, celluloid and fine resin finishes, also use a soft cloth. Do not use any chemicals on these types of finishes, as it will damage the pen.

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Ultrasonic Cleaner for Fountain Pens

If you have a big fountain pen collection, and are more serious about the cleaning process, you can invest in an ultrasonic cleaner. Ultrasonic cleaners are small devices that are used to circulate water in different parts of the pen, and shake loose ink stuck in the feed.

Storing your Fountain Pen

Always remember, the better you take care of your fountain pen, the longer it will last. There are two important tips for how to store a fountain pen:

1. Keep the cap on the pen at all times when you are not using it. This will help protect the nib and the ink from drying out.

2. Place the pen in a cup or pen holder, upright. Do not keep the pen lying flat or on a slanted surface. This will lead to the ink drying up in the nib.

By regularly cleaning fountain pens, they can last a lifetime. And you can ensure an eternal smooth writing experience.

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Fountain pens need to be cleaned every 4 to 6 weeks. Over time, dust and fibers can build up in the nib, and cause the pen to write poorly. In addition, when changing inks, a careful cleaning process needs to be followed, in order to ensure an optimal writing experience.

There are many reasons why a fountain pen can be writing poorly. They include:
- Not cleaning the fountain pen regularly, or when changing inks
- Ink has dried up in the nib
- Dust and fibers have built up in the nib and are blocking the flow of ink
- Not properly storing a fountain pen, in an upright position

There are five simple steps to clean a fountain pen:
1. Remove the nib: The first step is to uncap the pen and unscrew the nib piece.
2. Rinse the nib: Then, hold the nib piece under running water for a few seconds. This will allow for any residual ink to be removed. It is best to use cold or warm water in this process, to not damage the nib.
3. Soak the fountain pen nib: To clean the fountain pen effectively, you need to soak it in clean water. Fill a cup with cold or room temperature water, and place the nib in it. When the water becomes infused with ink, then it is time to change the water. Once the process is repeated, and the water is clear, then you can proceed to the next step.
4. Dry the nib: Place the nib on a paper towel and allow it to dry for 12 to 24 hours. If you can elevate the nib slightly, so that all the water completely clears, then do so.
5. Put the fountain pen back together: After ensuring the nib is completely dry, put the pen back together.

Flushing a fountain pen refers to thoroughly cleaning it, if it is writing poorly or if you are changing inks. To flush a fountain pen, remove the nib and rinse it under running water for a few seconds. Then place it in a glass of room temperature water. The ink will cause the water to change color. Continue changing the water, under the glass is clear. Then dry the nib overnight, to ensure any stored moisture is removed.

When using a fountain pen, the outside of the pen can get scratched. To preserve the original splendor of a fountain pen, follow these steps:
- For pens made of silver, you can use silver polish on a polishing cloth, and gently clean it. If there are etches on your pen, apply a small amount of silver polish onto a soft toothbrush, and brush the area. The silver polish will enter the etches of the pen.
- For hard metal finishes, such as chrome, platinum and stainless steel, you can use a soft cloth to clean them.
- For lacquer, celluloid and fine resin finishes, also use a soft cloth. Do not use any chemicals on these types of finishes, as it will damage the pen.