How to Clean an Ink-Jet Printer

Cleaning an ink-jet printer can solve minor problems, maintain print quality, and prolong periods between professional cleanings. Thin white lines across printouts indicate that the ink nozzles need to be cleaned.

Difficulty:

Moderately challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Cleaning Solution For Plastic
• Cleaning Cloths

Cleaning the Outer Case

1. Collect the supplies you need: a soft cloth and cleaning fluid made for plastic. (Water is fine in most cases.)

2. Check the printer manual. If the manufacturer has provided specific instructions, follow them.

3. Turn off the printer.

4. Dampen the cloth with water or cleaning fluid.

5. Wipe the outside of the printer, making sure that no fluid gets inside.

Cleaning Cartridges or Ink Nozzles

1. Use the cleaning buttons on your printer if it has them.

2. Initiate cleaning through the printer software.

3. Open the printer software by double-clicking on a printer icon or opening a document and then selecting Print from the File menu.

4. Click a button labeled Options, Troubleshooting, Clean Print Cartridges, Toolbox, Printer Utilities or something similar. (This varies by manufacturer.)

5. Click a button labeled Head Cleaning, Run Nozzle Check, Clean Print Cartridges or something similar to begin the process.

6. Follow the instructions on your screen.

7. Repeat the cleaning process if the results aren't satisfactory.

8. Go to your printer manufacturer's Web site for detailed instructions on manual cartridge cleaning and interior cleaning.

Tips & Warnings

• Scraps of old cotton clothing make good rags for this purpose.

• Have your printer professionally cleaned about once a year, depending on use.

• If you go long periods between printing, print a test page occasionally to keep the cartridges from drying out.

• Don't spray fluids anywhere near the ventilation holes on the printer.

• Don't use ammonia-based cleaner.