# Best practices for maintaining and cleaning Illumina sequencing system wash cartridges

Illumina sequencing platforms require a post-run wash and/or maintenance wash to be performed with regularity (refer to the appropriate instrument guide for details). To avoid contaminating the fluidics lines during these washes, Illumina recommends following these best practices.

1. After removing the wash cartridge from the instrument, properly discard any remaining wash solution (eg, do not reuse the Tween wash solution).
2. Thoroughly rinse each position of the wash cartridge with lab-grade warm water.
3. Place the wash cartridge upside down with some space to allow air flow and proper drying.
4. Inspect the wash cartridge wells regularly for contamination (refer to Fig. 1, black or pink discoloration may be noted).

![](/files/SLWvXJKGwL4HwHOve7Et)

Figure 1. Black ring at bottom of wash cartridge well.

1. Prepare a 1-3% lab-grade bleach solution to fill the wells of the tray.
2. Use a brush to remove the mold from the wells.
3. **IMPORTANT:** Thoroughly rinse the wells (at least three times) with DI or lab-grade water (residual bleach can cause clustering issues on subsequent runs).
4. Place cartridge upside down with some space to allow air flow and proper drying.
5. Repeat as necessary if mold is still present.
6. If it is not possible to remove all the mold, contact [Illumina Technical Support](mailto:techsupport@illumina.com) to discuss replacing the wash cartridges.

For step-by-step guidance, refer to this.

**Resources**

* [MiniSeq System Guide](https://support.illumina.com/sequencing/sequencing_instruments/miniseq/documentation.html)
* [MiSeq System Guide](https://support.illumina.com/sequencing/sequencing_instruments/miseq/documentation.html)
* [NextSeq 550 System Guide](https://support.illumina.com/sequencing/sequencing_instruments/nextseq-550/documentation.html)
* [NovaSeq 6000 Sequencing System Guide](https://support.illumina.com/sequencing/sequencing_instruments/novaseq-6000/documentation.html)

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| *For any feedback or questions regarding this article (Illumina Knowledge Article #5283), contact Illumina Technical Support* [*techsupport@illumina.com*](mailto:techsupport@illumina.com?subject=Question%2FFeedback%20Regarding%20Illumina%20Knowledge%20Article%20#000005283%20-%20Instrumentation%20\&body=Dear%20Illumina%20Technical%20Support,%0D%0A%0D%0A)*.* |


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