If you have a calligraphy pen that hasn’t been used for some time and the ink has dried in the nib and cartridge/converter you may be wondering how to clean it out for reuse. There are a number of simple methods that will work, some will work more quickly than others but there’s generally no right or wrong way.

The most simple way to clean your calligraphy pen is to remove the nib and place it in a glass of water, leaving it to soak and changing the water until it eventually remains clear.

Similarly, if you have a converter that is caked in ink you can simply draw clean water in and out until the water runs clean.

A quicker method of cleaning your calligraphy pen is to go out and buy a rubber ear syringe from the local pharmacy. With the syringe you can fit it over the cartridge-piercing nipple of the pen and hold it under water. When you squeeze the syringe you will be forcing water into and out of the nib. As with the other methods you can repeat this process until the ink has been completely removed and the water runs clear.

To give the process an added boost you can dilute a very small amount of ammonia, say, one part ammonia to 10 parts water and use the above techniques on the pen. After the pen has been cleaned, give it a flush out with clean water.

For an even more thorough clean or to remove the most stubborn dried ink you can get yourself an ultrasonic cleaner which uses ultrasound and cleaning solution to clean delicate objects such as pen nibs. You simply place your calligraphy pen nib into the cleaning solution for a short period of time. Ultrasonic cleaners are not expensive and will come in handy if you find that you are forever coming up against clogged nibs.

Try any one of these simple methods for cleaning the nibs of your calligraphy pen. The methods will work equally as well if you have a fountain pen that is clogged, too.

You can also find more calligraphy pen maintenance tips elsewhere at The Calligraphy Pen.