I've got an Epson XP-245
Not had it for that long and the other day it starts printing very indistinctly.
Okay heads need cleaning and the cartridges are a bit low so a couple of cleans and replace the cartridges.
Just kept getting more indistinct until now there's absolutely nothing on black at all.
Does anyone have any suggestions for cleaning the heads that doesn't involve using the cartridges? Solvent, swabs, that kind of thing.
Snaps
My new Flash Fiction blog. All my own work
500ish
I am not young enough to know everything.
Surgical spirit and cotton wool buds is what I used last time on my trusty old Epson. But the act of moving the head across to remove the cartridges forces an ink cycle when you've finished.
Ste
We will pay the price but we will not count the cost..
After you get it cleaned think about getting a CISS kit form here . I have been using a CISS on my Epson XP605 for a couple of years now and am really pleased with the photo prints let alone letters and text . If you are using the supplied cartridges then seal them and keep only as emergency 
https://www.cityinkexpress.co.uk/ciss/epson/xp-245/xp-series/epson-original-ink