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I have the traditional SU stamps but I also have some different acrylic stamps from varying companies. I don't have any special cleaning tools or solutions, I've just been using soap and water - but I'm not sure that my acrylic stamps are handling it well. Any suggestions out there on how everyone else cleans their stamps?
I have seen a stamp cleaner made for clear stamps but I do not know if it really works that well .:confused: I saw it on Newcleardollarstamps.com.
There probably are other companies, too.
So far, I have just cleaned them off with a damp paper towel.
I do use alcohol-free baby wipes first, if I've been working with pigment ink, just to get most of the gunk off, and then scrub 'em with UC and a scrubby pad.
UC gets stains off rubber, excellent for removing solvent/permanent inks, etc., and is also specifically formulated to be safe for clear stamps. However, you should be aware that no cleaner can remove certain types of ink "stains" from clear stamps. The stamps will be clean and work just fine, but "tinted" from certain types of ink; they seem to absorb certain dyes/pigments more readily than others. But, as I said, if cleaned properly, the performance of the stamp will not be affected.
When my clear stamps lose their stick-um (eventually many do), tho, I usually wash them in warm soapy water, and rinse in a "tight" collander (so I don't accidentally lose any of the smaller/tiny ones down the drain), and then lay 'em out on a lint-free towel to air dry.
Of course, if I'm in a hurry, I'll pat dry and get right back to stampin'! *giggle*
HTH,
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
As usual, JulieHRR knows what she's talking about. Ultra Clean is fabulous, it's the only cleaner I use anymore. I also use a drop of it to "oil" the hinge on the rubber-cutting scissors!
__________________ Jennifer, SU Demonstrator
"Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment" -Ben Franklin
I use baby wipes for any stamp that I used classic (dye), craft (pigment) or chalk ink on. For permanent ink, I use a product called "Grandmas Secret Stamp Cleaner" and my SU stamp scrubber. Then I follow that with the baby wipe. After the baby wipes, I press each cleaned stamp into a wad of paper towels to dry them off before storing them.
I do use alcohol-free baby wipes first, if I've been working with pigment ink, just to get most of the gunk off, and then scrub 'em with UC and a scrubby pad.
UC gets stains off rubber, excellent for removing solvent/permanent inks, etc., and is also specifically formulated to be safe for clear stamps. However, you should be aware that no cleaner can remove certain types of ink "stains" from clear stamps. The stamps will be clean and work just fine, but "tinted" from certain types of ink; they seem to absorb certain dyes/pigments more readily than others. But, as I said, if cleaned properly, the performance of the stamp will not be affected.
When my clear stamps lose their stick-um (eventually many do), tho, I usually wash them in warm soapy water, and rinse in a "tight" collander (so I don't accidentally lose any of the smaller/tiny ones down the drain), and then lay 'em out on a lint-free towel to air dry.
Of course, if I'm in a hurry, I'll pat dry and get right back to stampin'! *giggle*
HTH,
What is Ultra Clean? I don't think I've heard of that before.
Thanks Julie. This is a product I was unfamiliar with. Do you know if it's available in any stores, or just online?
You can find it both in well-stocked stamp/scrap stores, and a wide variety of online retailers also carry it. Just do a google and BAM!!! You'll find lots of listings. ;)
It's not something you could expect to find at a chain craft store, like Michael's, tho. UKWIM?
Anyhoo, I told the folks at Stewart Superior if they'd make a GALLON size refill bottle, I'm not the only stamper that would pounce on it! LOL! They did eventually come out with a refill bottle, and that's nice--Not as big as I wanted, but, hey, I'll take what I can get! ROTFLMBO! :mrgreen:
__________________ Julie Ebersole (JulieHRR once upon a time . . . )julieebersole.com"So shines a good deed in a weary world." -Willy Wonka
You can find it both in well-stocked stamp/scrap stores, and a wide variety of online retailers also carry it. Just do a google and BAM!!! You'll find lots of listings. ;)
It's not something you could expect to find at a chain craft store, like Michael's, tho. UKWIM?
Anyhoo, I told the folks at Stewart Superior if they'd make a GALLON size refill bottle, I'm not the only stamper that would pounce on it! LOL! They did eventually come out with a refill bottle, and that's nice--Not as big as I wanted, but, hey, I'll take what I can get! ROTFLMBO! :mrgreen:
Cleaning stamps
