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Use a good stamp cleaner like SU Stampin' Mist, it has a conditioner in it. Also, search SCS for the homemade stamp cleaner it will also conidition your stamps.
FYI - you may already know this - keep your stamps out of direct sunlight and away from heat. Don't store them on a shelf. Keep your stamps in a drawer or closed box. Every now and then use your stamps, even if just to stamp on scrap paper so they stay coniditoned.
I think the clear versamark conditions well. Whenever I stamp with versamark, I don't wash it off before storing. I bet it would make a brittle stamp feel better.
Here is a stamp cleaner recipe I found on another thread. The glycerin helps to condition the rubber. You can buy glycerin at Walmart. They usually stock it next to the hydrogen peroxide. Also you can ask at the pharmacy counter where they keep the glycerin.
Stamp Cleaner - 2 Tblsp Glycerin or Rosewater Glycerin, 1 squirt of Baby Wash, 8 oz. distilled water - Shake well before each use. Enjoy!
I use SU stampin mist. I found some really old stamps that were very brittle. I sprayed the stampin mist on the rubber and let it soak in. I did it a few times and then my stamps were as good as new.
Ive read somewhere... and its been years if the rubbers really bad to let it stand in a little puddle (like on a plate or something that wont absorb it) of pure Glycerin overnight and then clean them like normal the next day.
I have a 2 part question.
1. Is there a difference between Pure glycerin and vegetable glycerin?
2. Where can I ORDER glycerin from?
Thanks in advance.
I have a 2 part question.
1. Is there a difference between Pure glycerin and vegetable glycerin?
2. Where can I ORDER glycerin from?
Thanks in advance.
Glycerin is an oily product produced from sugar (like honey). Vegetable glycerin is produced from sugars from vegetables (like beets and carrots). Essentially, there is not difference between the two for the purposes stampers use it.
Why shouldn't stamps be stored on a shelf? How should they be stored?
I'm going to take a guess here, but I suspect the statement was made in the context of storing wood mounted stamps on open shelving. The reason, I believe is to avoid over exposing the rubber to light and air. Both of which will accelerate the degredation of the brubber.
Just guessing . . . .
__________________ �:*�*:�My next house won't have a kitchen. Just a bunch of vending machines and garbage cans.�:*�*:�
I'm going to take a guess here, but I suspect the statement was made in the context of storing wood mounted stamps on open shelving. The reason, I believe is to avoid over exposing the rubber to light and air. Both of which will accelerate the degredation of the brubber.
Just guessing . . . .
Yes, storing stamps on open shelving will dry out the rubber and when they are hard they will not stamp correctly. If you have a stamp that is dry you can try to recondition it but it doesn't always work.
Stamps should be stored away from heat, direct sunlight, and best if in a drawer or sealed container.
I know a lot of stampers like to put out their collection for all to see, but unless the stamper uses all the stamps on a regular basis and the cleaning keeps them conditioned they will eventually dry out.
I don't know if living in a high-humidity area makes any difference but to be on the safe side always store your stamps away fromt the sun and heat.
When buying stamps if you are not sure they are new, check to see that the rubber is still pliable/soft. If not, it's either old or was stored incorrectly. I pass on hard stamps even if I just love the image as I'm not sure I can recondition the stamp.
Another vote for glycerin and rosewater to condition stamps. Also versamark ink works. I had an brittle, old, ink encrusted stamp someone gave me. I put versarmark ink on the rubber and let it sit for a day, cleaned and repeated a few times. Stamp came out clean and stampable.
A lot of times good old vegetable oil or olive oil will bring back dried out rubber. I've even read on a blog somewhere last year that a woman smeared peanut butter on a stamp and left it for a day, and the stamp "came back to life". Its the oil that is soaking into the rubber and rejuvinating it.
Rubber Conditioner
