Cleaning Water-Based Ink From Screens

One of the greatest advantages of printing with water-based ink is how simple cleanup can be. Unlike plastisol, you don’t need harsh chemicals or specialty solvents—just water. That said, there are ways to make the process even easier, faster, and more effective. Over the years I’ve picked up a handful of tricks that help keep screens, squeegees, and flood bars clean while reducing wasted time at the press. Here’s a breakdown of my go-to methods for cleaning water-based ink.

1. Keep a Bucket of Dawn Solution by the Press

Not just any soap will do here—you’ll want Dawn dishwashing soap specifically. There’s a reason it’s used to clean up oil spills: it cuts through residue better than other dish soaps. Fill a bucket with water and add just a squeeze of Dawn, enough to give the water the slightest blue tint. Don’t overdo it—you’re not trying to create a bubble bath.

This solution works wonders for cleaning mesh, frames, squeegees, and flood bars. It helps break down the ink quickly, prevents residue from building up, and allows you to process more screens in less time.

2. Trade Cotton Rags for Polyester

When it comes to wiping down screens, the fabric you use makes a big difference. Cotton is far too absorbent and ends up soaking up more solution than it applies. Instead, use polyester.

Here’s an easy hack: cut up old 100% polyester performance blanks (the kind that sometimes get misprinted by new staff) into 6” x 6” squares. Polyester has just enough texture to scrub dried ink from screens without damaging the emulsion, and it holds up better to repeated use.

3. Pre-Wet Your Screens with a Car Wash Sponge

Before you even add water-based ink to a fresh screen, pre-wet it with clean water using a car wash sponge. This step allows the ink to “float” on the mesh instead of grabbing and drying too quickly. It also makes end-of-job cleanup much easier since the ink doesn’t bond as aggressively to dry mesh.

4. Clear Dried Ink from the Print Side, Not the Top

Every printer has had that moment when ink dries in the screen mid-run and you need to stop to clean it out. The instinct is usually to scrub from the top down, but that only pushes more ink deeper into the clogged areas, making the problem worse.

Instead, dip your sponge into your Dawn solution and press it gently against the print face of the screen. Squeeze the sponge so water pushes upward through the mesh, loosening the dried particles. Then ease your grip so the sponge pulls the debris back down into the sponge. This method is far more effective and keeps you from damaging your stencil.

5. Invest in a Restaurant Bus Tub

If you’re running water-based ink regularly, do yourself a favor and pick up a simple plastic bus tub from a restaurant supply store. Avoid the versions with silverware compartments and stick with the rectangular style.

Fill the tub halfway with your Dawn solution. At the end of a job, simply wipe down your squeegees and flood bars with a polyester rag and drop them into the tub. They’ll stay wet until you’re ready for a thorough cleaning later.

This method is especially helpful if you’re using discharge inks. Discharge causes squeegees to swell, which temporarily dulls the edge. By soaking them in the Dawn solution, you give the rubber time to relax and return to its original sharpness, which extends the lifespan of your tools and keeps your prints consistent.

Why I Don’t Recommend Magic Erasers

It might be tempting to reach for a Magic Eraser when dealing with stubborn dried ink, but there are two big reasons to avoid them:

• They’re too abrasive. Magic Erasers can strip away layers of emulsion, thinning your stencil and even creating holes in your screen.

• They contain microplastics. These microplastics end up in the water supply and are nearly impossible to filter out. If you’re using them on dishes at home, chances are you’ve already introduced microplastics into your body. That’s not something you want to add to your shop environment.

Wrapping It Up

Cleaning water-based ink doesn’t need to be a battle. With the right tools—a bucket of Dawn solution, polyester rags, the occasional four letter word, a car wash sponge, and a trusty bus tub—you can streamline the process, save your screens, and extend the life of your tools. Skip the Magic Erasers and stick with methods that are safe for your mesh, your prints, and the environment.