An ECOlogical disaster

November 27

So, if you have ever wondered what happens when you accidentally run your prized ECO trough the washing machine, this post is for you.

When I'm at work I keep my ECO in one of those shirt sleeve pockets that are in my security officer uniform. In the excited haste at the end of my shift (amplified by the fact that after the shift I was taking holiday leave) I tossed my pen and shirt into the LG washing machine. I realized my error sometime around an early spin cycle. I figured at that point that the damage was done, so I just let the whole Greek Tragedy play out.

With great trepidation I unloaded the machine when it was over. My first thought was "wow, my clothes don't seem to be tainted by beautiful Noodlers Baystate Blue!" Granted, I don't wear anything that is close to the color white (regardless of what side of Labor Day we're on). I eventually found the pen. My first attempt to write with it was successful. At one point it did vomit a blob of blue ink onto the paper, but I can't blame it.

Damage Assessment: Okay, first of all, there are no signs that the pen was leaking or physically damaged. At first I thought that the body of the pen feels somewhat "tacky." I don't know if this was a reaction to the hot water or the detergent, but it does seem to be going away. I suppose because of the centrifugal force the ink did migrate to a number of places inside the pen. I removed the feed and nib and am cleaning them. Some ink managed to force its way into the void between the interior of the cap and the interior nib cup. I am not sure how to drain that out. That may be the only thing I can't solve. I feel as though if I had a tiny tool with a collet I could yank the nib cup out and clean out this ink. If anyone has any ideas... please let me know.

In conclusion, I do not recommend washing your ECO with your clothes.

November 27

Sounds as if you were extremely lucky -- because I've seen the photos someone posted a few years ago about BSB staining a stainless steel sink (the person's spouse was NOT happy about it, BTW ).

I'll admit that I'm pretty paranoid about checking pockets of garments before they go in the washer on general principle. And even then? Ran some coin that was in the coin pocket of on my jeans and didn't realize until I found it on the bottom of the washer drum when pulling that load out to put in the dryer to put in the dryer/put the wool socks on a screen to dry flat.

Ruth Morrisson aka inkstainedruth

Thursday at 01:30 AM

To remove the inner cap, wrap clear packing tape sticky side out on a chopstick. Stick it in the cap, and use it to pull the inner cap out. It should come out quite easily. The chopstick gives the tape stiffness, but you are wrapping the tape quite a ways down the side of the chopstick. You should still be able to touch the tape when the chopstick is fully inserted in the cap. That's what I always use to clean out the inner caps on these pens.