Stamp Cleaning Basics

You might be saying I know how to clean my stamps but even I forget to get back to basics so a refresher every once in a while is a good thing…

Basic kit for cleaning stamps:
Baby wipes or Stampin scrub (or both)
White eraser
paint brush
dry cloth
For cleaning your Stampin Scrub
Oxyclean
Baby Bottle parts holder (optional)

So as I was creating the July class this week I turned on some of my Paper Crafter Library video’s and did another refresher in the stamp cleaning sections.

* If you use baby wipes they have lanolin and Aloe in them and after time you will get build up on your stamps. You will need to get a good white eraser or the adhesive remover (available through Stampin Up) and run it over the stamp to remove the build-up then use a stiff brush to remove the residue. The reason for this is that the areas of build up will not hold the ink and your stamp will not stamp evenly.

*The above will happen with incorrect cleaning of versamark ink also and again use the eraser or the adhesive remover. It will remove the versamark ink and the stamp will be as good as new. I know this because I did it and I will say I am amazed at the look of the stamp.

* If you use the Stampin Scrub remember to stamp off excess ink before you use the scrub it will make the scrub last longer between cleanings.  

*StazOn ink is a killer ink. It is one I rarely use because it just isn’t one that comes off stamps. Well not anymore… StazOn Cleaner is amazing as well.  So I will add here I have tried it before but no one told me to leave it sit. The bottle says rub tip lightly against rubber stamp wipe off excess solution with damp cloth and repeat. Nothing about leaving the solution sit on the stamp.  So in watching the PCL video Andrea says leave it on overnight and repeat if needed. It needed! But the amazing part was in 2 days I had the ink off that stamp.. Not just some of it off ALL OF IT OFF. I will never be afraid of StazOn again. I have 3 sets sitting with the cleaner now waiting for me to work them tomorrow and then probably another night of the cleaner then they will be clean as well. So girls pull out your StazOn and don’t be afraid. I also used the cleaner on some of the older stamps that needed some love and it did a great job bringing some life back into my stamps.  

*Clean your Stampin Scrub when you find your stamps are not letting go of the ink. In other words if you clean your stamp and then stamp on white scratch paper and there is still an image you will need to clean your Stampin scrub. I had soaked mine before but then I found out you need to really soak it in a solution of oxy clean and water for a couple of hours then let them dry over night. It is amazing.
I recommend this process to everyone I do it monthly (after a big class!)
The baby bottle parts holder is a plastic square box I got when the girls were little that held the little bits in the dishwasher. It holds the pads upright to dry perfectly. So anything that holds the pads upright to dry will work. I just don’t recommend leavening them laying flat.

I hope these little helpful hints will keep your stamps in tip top shape. I know I am happy now that a bunch of mine are back on track.
Love ya all,

Dianne