Keeping printer ink cartridges good

DC&MC wrote:
We are full time and are still in the Yuma area. I just bought new ink cartridges to do my taxes at the end of February. Today I tried to print and the black cartridge is barely printing. It’s not that hot in here cause we do run the air. How can I keep ink so I don’t have to buy a new one every time I try to print something. Anyway to rejuvenate this one?

There is nothing you can do to "save" inkjet carts, once the seal has been removed the timer is running, they will dry out and clog.

Now, it may be possible to "rejuvenate" as long as the ink has not dried to far into the print head.

Pull the cart, take a damp paper towel (water only please) and gently pat the print head surface. You do not want to push the dried ink into the head.

The water will loosen up the dried ink that may be on the print head surface. May need to repeat a couple of times.

You can leave the print head sit on the damp paper towel for a few minutes at a time then put back into the printer and try again..

Don't feel bad, I was trying to print some color items toady and my $50 color cart was dried out.. Was able to get it to print again by using the above method.

Ink carts do not take kindly to long periods of non use, must use them at least once every week or risk them clogging.

For very low printing quantities, I would highly recommend buying a laser printer.. Toner does not go bad and can sit for years with no problems..

Non color lasers now days are inexpensive, look at Brother laser printers, they use a separate toner cart from the drum so the replacement toners are less than lasers that have the drum integrated with the toner.