From time to time you'll find the Watermate® Self Watering Tank (750ml or 350ml) isn't flowing as expected, this is usually due to a clogged wick.

The wick can become clogged from minerals in the water, pests such as slugs or dirt from long term use. The wick is made to be removed and cleaned, and with care can last many years.

Here's the how-to on maintaining your Watermate® wick:

• Unscrew the top from your bottle
• Holding the prong from the soil in one hand and the top (round section that screws to the bottle) in the other, gently twist in opposing directions - the cover will pop up (and in some cases, pop off right away)

• You can now see the wick heading down into the prong
• Pull the wick through from the neck of the top and leave it hanging from the prong:

• Grip the prong, holding the top steady in your other hand, twist 1/4 turn (45 degrees) and the prong will release:

• Wriggle the prong free and then pull the wick through
• The prong will now be able to open up (it's a hinge from the pointy end)

• You can see the loop which holds the wick on the prong, and now you can remove the wick from the prong.

• If the wick is looking ok, and not overly dark/stained then you can hand wash it in mild detergent. It should return to its usual beige and then be ready to use again.
• If the wick is quite dark or stained either black or green (mold and algae) it will need a more thorough wash:

• The wick can then be put back into the prong, and threaded back into the bottle.
• Ensure that the wick is visible in the prong - it goes into the middle first, then folds back over the outer part of the prong:

If it isn't installed correctly then you won't be able to see the wick, and in that case it won't work -

Ensure the wick is not twisted before closing the prong, and then thread the wick back into the top and put the prong back (push and twist it back into place):

• Thread the wick back into the bottle top and then it's ready to use again.

Article verified: WM7501, WM3501, Watermate