How to Clean a Fountain Pen: A 10-Minute Routine, Plus Troubleshooting for Skipping and Hard Starts

January 6, 2026

Written by: The Art Noise Team

The Art Noise Team shares practical guides on art materials, studio workflow, and techniques, written for working artists and beginners alike. Our content is grounded in day-to-day conversations with artists in Kingston, Ontario, and focuses on helping you choose supplies with confidence.

Cleaning a fountain pen is usually a quick rinse, not a complicated teardown.
This guide gives you a 10-minute routine, a deeper flush when you change inks, and practical troubleshooting for skipping and hard starts.
You will also get a simple maintenance schedule you can follow all year.

Lamy Fine Pens Ink Refills

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What you actually need (and when to clean your fountain pen)

A fountain pen does not need constant maintenance, but it does need predictable maintenance. If your pen is skipping, hard-starting, or you are switching inks, a quick clean is usually enough to restore consistent flow.

Good times to clean: when you change ink colours, after a pen has been unused for a couple of weeks, if you see skipping or hard starts, or if you accidentally let ink dry in the pen.

Your 10-minute cleaning kit (checklist)

Cool to lukewarm water (avoid hot water, which can damage some parts)
Paper towel or a lint-free cloth
A small cup (clear glass is helpful so you can see ink coming out)
Optional: a second cup for rinsing, plus a drop of mild dish soap for stubborn ink

If you are just getting into pens, start by browsing fountain pens and ink refills so you can match your pen to the refill style you prefer (cartridge, converter, or other formats).

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The 10-minute clean: step-by-step (quick rinse, then a deeper flush if needed)

This method works for most everyday fountain pens. You are aiming to remove old ink from the feed and nib, then let the pen dry enough to write cleanly again.

Step-by-step plan

Set up your space: put down paper towel, fill a cup with cool to lukewarm water, and keep a second towel nearby for wiping.
Empty the pen: remove the cartridge or converter, then blot the nib gently on paper towel to remove surface ink.
Rinse the grip section: run water over the nib and feed until the water runs lighter.
Flush (best results): if your pen uses a converter, fill it with clean water, then expel it through the feed. Repeat until it runs mostly clear.
Optional soap step: if ink is stubborn, use a tiny drop of mild dish soap in a cup of water, flush once, then flush with plain water again to remove any soap residue.
Dry: shake off excess water (carefully), blot the nib and grip, then rest the pen nib-down on a paper towel for 15–30 minutes. For a full dry, leave it 2–8 hours depending on the pen.
Refill and test: install your cartridge or converter, write a few lines, then let flow stabilise for a minute.

Make it easier (real-life alternatives)

Short on time: do steps 2–3 only, then write with the current ink for a page to pull fresh ink through (works best when the pen is only mildly dry).
Switching colours quickly: keep one “testing page” in your notebook and write a few lines there until the new ink runs true.
Mess-averse setup: clean near the sink with a towel under your hands, and keep a dedicated “pen cup” so you are not hunting for supplies.
Beginner-friendly habit: choose one pen to be your daily writer and only rotate inks monthly, which reduces frequent cleaning.
Better results with the right paper: pair your clean pen with a notebook that handles fountain pen ink well, see how to choose paper for fountain pen ink, and browse notebooks and planners.

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Troubleshooting: fix skipping, hard starts, and clogs without overdoing it

If the quick clean does not solve the problem, use this section like a decision tree. Do the smallest effective fix first, then escalate.

Common symptoms and what to do

Hard starts (pen writes after scribbling): flush with water (Section 2), then let the nib rest on a damp paper towel for 30–60 seconds to rehydrate the feed.
Skipping (broken lines): clean, then slow down and reduce pressure. Fountain pens prefer light pressure, pressing harder can worsen skipping.
Ink looks pale or watery: the pen may still be drying from cleaning. Write a half page and the colour should normalise.
Pen worked, then stopped after storage: clean, then review storage habits. If stored for more than a week, store capped and horizontally (or nib-up) to reduce drying.
Stubborn clog: do a deeper flush, let the grip section soak in plain water for 30–120 minutes, then flush again. Avoid hot water and avoid harsh cleaners.
Feathering and bleed-through: often a paper issue, not a pen issue. Use paper suited to fountain pen ink and compare results, see paper tips for fountain pens.

If you want a lower-maintenance everyday option, consider sticking to one ink family and exploring pens designed for dependable daily use. Browse Lamy fine pens and keep your refills organised with stationery essentials.

A simple maintenance routine you can follow all year (plus next steps)

Consistency beats perfection. If you build one small routine, your pens will write more reliably, and you will spend less time troubleshooting.

Your maintenance schedule

Weekly (heavy use): quick rinse if you notice flow changes.
Monthly: quick clean, especially if you rotate inks.
Any time you change inks: flush until water runs mostly clear, then refill.
Before long storage: clean, dry, then store capped.

A quick plan you can do today (10 minutes)

Pick one pen and one ink for the next 30 days.
Do the 10-minute clean from Section 2.
Write a half page in your notebook to confirm flow is stable.
Save this page as your “baseline” for future troubleshooting.

If you are local, you can browse fine writing supplies at Art Noise in Kingston, Ontario, or shop online. Start here: fountain pens, ink refills, and notebooks and planners. For more ways to enjoy writing, try these fine writing mini projects and review the fountain pen vs rollerball vs ballpoint guide. For current delivery details, refer to the shipping policy, and learn more about the shop on About Us.