Assess the Damage
Oh no! You accidentally forgot to put the cap on your highlighter and it has now dried out or broken. Don’t fret, we’re here to help you fix it. The first step to restoring a broken highlighter is to assess the damage thoroughly. You need to examine your highlighter carefully to be sure that there is no external damage to the body or the cap. Also, you will need to test the ink flow of the highlighter. Here are some steps that you may want to follow when assessing the damage:
Step 1: Hold the highlighter and shake it. There should be a sloshing sound if there is still ink inside. If there are no sounds, then the highlighter has completely dried out, and it’s time to dispose of it.
Step 2: Remove the cap from the highlighter and examine the tip of the highlighter and see if it’s chipped, cracked, or worn out. Check the shaft for any cracks, too, as this could also impede the ink flow.
Step 3: Try to write on a paper with the highlighter. If the highlighter writes but is not as bright as you want it to be, then it’s likely that the ink is only partly dry. However, if it doesn’t write at all, then you have a real problem on your hands.
Step 4: Lastly, take a closer look at the ink and see if there are any clots or any lumps that might affect the ink flow. Wipe the tip of the highlighter with a tissue paper to remove any clogs before testing the ink flow again.
Now that you have assessed the damage, it’s time to fix your precious highlighter. With some simple techniques and a bit of patience, you can salvage it and bring it back to life.
Gather necessary materials
Highlighter pens are useful writing tools, especially for students who want to emphasis important notes and texts in their notebooks. However, the biggest problem with these pens is that they easily break when dropped. If you have a broken highlighter pen, don’t worry because you can easily fix it with a few materials.
To fix your broken highlighter, you will first need to gather the necessary materials. The good news is that you don’t need many things to complete the task. In fact, you might already have most of these materials in your house. Here are the materials you’ll need:
1. Broken highlighter pen
The first thing you will need is the broken highlighter pen. If it’s a twistable highlighter, then the chances are high that the internal part is damaged. If it’s a refillable highlighter, then the cartridge may have a leak.
2. Tissue paper
You will need tissue paper to clean the stain from the tip of the highlighter. If the highlighter’s tip has any ink stain on it, this will affect its functionality. Therefore, you will have to clean it.
3. Small bowl
A small bowl or cup will be where you’re going to put the highlighter’s ink. If it’s a twistable highlighter, you may control the amount of ink flowing out.
4. Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is a common household staple that has multiple uses. You will need rubbing alcohol to add to the internal components of the highlighter to revive the ink’s flow.
5. Eye Dropper
If you have an eye dropper in your medicine cabinet, the perfect tool to get the ink out of a broken highlighter pen.
Re-wet the highlighter
Do you have a highlighter that has stopped working or is producing very faint lines? You might be tempted to throw it away and buy a new one, but wait! Here’s a quick fix that might just work for you. Before you go through all the trouble of getting a new highlighter, try re-wetting it. Re-wetting the highlighter might just bring it back to its original state.
There are several ways you can re-wet a highlighter. Here are some ways that are sure to work if your highlighter is not completely dried out.
Method 1: Water
The first and most basic step to re-wet your highlighter is with water. All you need is a bowl of water, a dropper, or a small medicine syringe to get started.
Step 1: Fill the dropper or syringe with water or dip the highlighter into the bowl of water.
Step 2: Gently squeeze the dropper or syringe to release a few drops of water directly onto the tip of the highlighter or let the highlighter sit in the water for a few minutes.
Step 3: Gently dab the tip of the highlighter on a paper towel to remove any excess water and test your highlighter on a piece of paper.
Step 4: If the ink is still not flowing properly, repeat the process until the ink starts to flow smoothly.
Method 2: Rubbing alcohol
If the water method didn’t work, don’t worry, there’s still hope. This next method requires rubbing alcohol.
Step 1: Dip the tip of your highlighter into a small cup of rubbing alcohol.
Step 2: Gently squeeze the highlighter a few times to help the rubbing alcohol penetrate the dried-out ink.
Step 3: Let the highlighter sit in the alcohol for a few minutes, allowing it to rehydrate.
Step 4: Gently dab the tip of the highlighter on a paper towel to remove any excess rubbing alcohol and test your highlighter on a piece of paper.
Step 5: Repeat the process until the ink starts to flow smoothly.
Method 3: Vinegar
If the methods above didn’t work, vinegar might just save the day. Follow these steps to successfully re-wet a highlighter with vinegar:
Step 1: Mix white vinegar with water in a 1:1 ratio.
Step 2: Dip the tip of your highlighter into the solution and let it sit for a few minutes.
Step 3: Gently squeeze the highlighter a few times to help the vinegar solution penetrate the dry ink.
Step 4: Gently dab the tip of the highlighter on a paper towel to remove any excess solution and test your highlighter on a piece of paper.
Step 5: Repeat the process until the ink starts to flow smoothly.
Re-wetting your highlighter is one of the easiest ways to give your highlighter a second life. These three methods can save you money, time, and effort, instead of buying a new highlighter, give these methods a try and see if they work for you.
Re-Insert the Sponge Tip
If your highlighter’s sponge tip has broken off, it can be quite frustrating. However, fixing it doesn’t have to be difficult. You just need to re-insert the sponge tip and this guide will show you how to do it.
The first step is to carefully remove the broken sponge tip from your highlighter. Use tweezers or another small tool to do this. Be careful not to damage the remaining parts of the highlighter.
Once you’ve successfully removed the broken sponge tip, you can now prepare to insert the new one. You’ll need a replacement sponge and some clear adhesive glue. You can find both of these supplies at any craft store.
Measure the replacement sponge against the old one to ensure that it’s the same size. You will now apply the glue to the bottom of the new sponge. A good rule of thumb is to use a small dot of glue on the sponge. This is to ensure that it will be securely attached to the highlighter.
Slowly insert the new sponge back into the highlighter. Make sure that the sponge is securely in place and there are no gaps between the sponge and the highlighter body. Be gentle to avoid damaging any other parts of the highlighter.
After inserting the sponge, leave it to dry for about half an hour. Then, check if the sponge is firmly attached to the highlighter. Gently touch the sponge with your finger to test if it’s secure, but avoid applying too much pressure. If your sponge is still loose, then you’ll need to reapply the adhesive glue and let it dry for another half-hour.
When your sponge is firmly attached to the highlighter, it’s ready to use. You’ll have a brand new, fully functional highlighter that is ready to highlight any important texts at your work or school.
Although it may seem difficult, re-inserting a sponge tip is quite simple. As long as you have the supplies and follow the simple steps, you can fix your broken highlighter in no time. So next time that you accidentally break your highlighter while studying or taking notes, don’t feel too worried. Just remember this guide and re-insert the sponge tip to restore it to working condition. Happy highlighting!
Store properly to prevent future damage
Proper storage of highlighters can prevent them from getting broken or damaged. Make sure to put your highlighters in a pencil case or organizer to avoid losing them or exposing them to harsh elements. When you store your highlighters, be sure to keep them somewhere dry and cool. If you leave them in a hot place like inside your car, the plastic or ink may end up melting or drying up.
Avoid stacking other heavy objects on top of your highlighters. The pressure can squeeze the plastic casing, causing it to crack. Additionally, make sure your highlighters are secured in their containers to prevent them from rattling around and breaking.
If you’re someone who often has a lot to carry around, consider getting a specially designed marker or pencil case that has individual slots for each pen or marker so they don’t rub together. This will not only keep them organized but prevent breakage as well.
Lastly, always keep the cap on your highlighter when storing them. Not only does this prevent the ink from drying out, it also keeps the tip in good condition. Leaving your highlighters without a cap can cause the ink to spill out and damage the casing if it falls.
Proper storage of your highlighters will prevent future damage and prolong their lifespan. Remember to always put them back where they belong after use and follow these steps for stress-free highlighter storage.
