Over the past few years, COVID-19 has made us realize just how infectious and damaging the virus can be. It has also alerted us to the need for disinfection in our lives, and tattoo products are certainly no exception. We have invited many professional tattoo artists who work with CNC to advise us and take many tips from our customers. We have summarized all the most worthwhile tattoo machine cleaning guidelines that we hope will help you in your career.

Why should I clean my tattoo pen?

After a few days of investigation, we got a shocking result. More than 80% of tattoo enthusiasts do not know how to clean their tattoo machines properly, they just wipe the machines with alcohol or sterilized cotton wipes after using them. After each use of the tattoo machine, you should clean it from the outside to the inside. This includes the handle, stroke, and O-ring. Prolonged wear and tear will consume the machine very quickly.

I must tell you that not cleaning in time will reduce the life of the machine and make you have to spend a lot of money on new machines every once in a while.

How to clean the tattoo rotary machine

Step 1：Clean the surface of the tattoo machine

First of all, before each tattoo, you need to carefully clean the surface of the tattoo machine, including other accessories you will use need to be cleaned. Again, this step needs to be repeated after the tattoo is finished.
During the cleaning process, you need to ensure that the machine has been turned off, and wipe the surface of the machine, cables, and handles with a cotton cloth dipped in disinfectant. Be careful not to spray the disinfectant directly onto the machine during this process, and do not immerse the machine in the liquid. This is because the fluid will enter the machine’s interior through the cracks causing rust or wear.

·Do not spray disinfectant directly onto the machine
·Do not immerse the machine in the liquid
·Do not use bleach
·Repeat this step before and after tattooing

Step 2：Clean up tattoo machine parts and accessories

Step 3：Cleaning the handles of tattoo machines

Pen-type tattoo machines are more likely to leave ink and residue at the handle than traditional tattoo machines. This part is usually difficult to see and requires great care when handling. To clean the handle completely you need to wipe it with a cotton cloth soaked in detergent and rotate it. In places with grooves that need to use cotton swabs for multiple wipes, the O-ring can also be cleaned in the same way.

 

·Clean the ink in the grooves several times

·Keep the handle dry after cleaning

·Some liquid residue will be close to the color of the handle and not easy to find

Attention

The machine should avoid being immersed in cleaning agents, which can cause damage to the motor’s internal circuitry or mechanical corrosion. To avoid corrosion of the machine by cleaning agents, choose to use cleaners that are compatible with the machine material. Please try to ensure that the detergent you use meets the following requirements.

 

·Weak acids (boric acid ≤ 10%, acetic acid ≤ 10%, citric acid ≤ 10%)

·Aliphatic hydrocarbons (pentane, hexane)

·Ethanol

·Most inorganic salts and their aqueous solutions (sodium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium sulfate)

 

Tattoo machine cleaning equipment

A clean tattoo machine is a safe tattoo machine. And a safe tattoo machine also needs the help of other equipment. In addition to the cleaning methods previously described you can also use some tools to help you clean your tattoo machine more effectively. I will let you know about the features and drawbacks of each of them.

 

1, Ultraviolet Disinfection Machine

UV sterilizers work by destroying the internal structure of bacteria through ultraviolet radiation, thus completing the task of disinfection and sterilization. This means of disinfection appeared early in the tattoo industry, it is safe, fast and does not require a high cost, can effectively kill most bacteria. The disadvantage is that it is a device for dealing with live contamination and is ineffective in cleaning traces of ink or other residues. And for the painted surface of the machine will have more obvious damage, ultraviolet light brought about by the high temperature may also lead to metal parts or rubber dissolution.

 

2, Ultrasonic Cleaning Machine

Ultrasonic cleaning machine is through the ultra-high frequency sound waves to the surface of the residue “shake” down. First of all, it requires you to immerse the machine in a liquid environment, which means that you do not use this method to clean the motor or parts with electronic circuits. UHF vibrations can cause the motor to short circuit. Ultrasonic cleaning will not disinfect the machine, only clean the stains and residues.

3, Autoclaves

Autoclaves use high-temperature steam in a closed, high-pressure environment to complete the sterilization process. Usually, the internal temperature of the autoclave will reach about 150°C during the sterilization process, and most viruses and bacteria cannot survive in this environment. This is the best choice for sterilization function, and most medical equipment is also sterilized by this method.

Again, make sure you have the motor part of the machine out when you use the autoclave. Most of the metal parts can be sterilized in the autoclave, you just need to re-lubricate the machine after use.