This is how you clean a fountain pen.

Step 1: What You Will Need

In order to clean a fountain pen, you will need a few things. First, you will need a fountain pen. You will also need a glass of water filled with warm water and a drop of dish soap. In addition, you will require a paper towel and disposable gloves (unless you like ink on your fingers).

Step 2: Anatomy of a Fountain Pen

In order to better show you what you need to do, here are the parts of a fountain pen. This will make things simpler as we move on.

Step 3: Step 1: Begin Disasembly

Begin by removing the cap and the barrel of the pen.

Step 4: Step 2: Rinse the Converter

Submerge the pen into the water about to the halfway point on the section. Twist the end of the converter to depress the plunger inside. Twist it in the other direction to raise the plunger, which will draw water into the converter. Continue doing this back and forth to rinse out the ink. 5-10 times is recommended.

Step 5: Step 3: Second Rinse

Pour the glass of water in the sink, rinse the glass out, and refill it with warm water, but this time without the drop of dish soap. Repeat the actions of step 2 until the ink is washed out.

Step 6: Step 4: Further Disasembly

Remove the converter from the pen. (Note: some converters are threaded and will screw off while others may be threadless and simply pull out) Next, remove the nib housing from the section by grasping the section in one hand and gripping the nib in the other. Gently twist in a counterclockwise direction until the nib housing is free.

Step 7: Step 5: Nib Removal

Grip the nib and the feed in one hand and the nib housing in the other. Pull apart in opposite directions without twisting. It should be a snug fit.

Step 8: Step 6: Clean Them

Take the nib, feed, and the section (forgot to take a picture with all three side by side) and rinse each one in warm, soapless water.

Step 9: Step 7: Let It Dry

It is very important that you let your pen dry before you put it back together. If not, it can rust and corrode over time.

Step 10: Step 8: Reassembly

Looking carefully in the nib housing, you will be able to see a notch in the interior circumference. This lets you know how the nib and the feed should be positioned. Take the nib and the feed and line them up together (as shown in the picture). Take the two and insert them into the nib housing. If needed, push them down more until they fully stop.

Step 11: Step 9: It's Coming Back Together

Screw the nib housing back into the section. Next, screw (or push) the converter on the other end.

Step 12: Step 10: and You Are Done

At this point, you can either put new ink into your pen or you can put it away for storage after screwing on the barrel and cap. (Note: Never store you fountain pen for long periods of time with ink still in it.)