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I've only had my stamp pad scrub thing for about 4 months and it's almost rubbed to the bottom. It also has a huge coloring stain that seems to get all over my hands every time I apply the scrub spray. I have been alternating sides of wet/ dry but it seems I'm still wearing things down. Now my stamps are becoming stained (the wood mainly) and my stamps aren't getting 100% clean.
Am I doing something wrong? Or is this normal? :confused:
Splitcoast Dirty Dozen Alumni Creative Crew SU Design Team Alumni
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Chicagoland
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I havn't had any trouble at all! I would contact your demonstrator. I do wash mine off in the sink and air dry it now and then, especially if I see that it is leaving a little residue on my stamps. Good luck!
Have you been taking the pads off and rinsing them off? I've had my stamp n scrub for several years and it is still working fine. Every couple of days, I take the pads out of the plastic and run them under the tap to get the ink off. Are you using any spray or just water on your stamps to clean them?
If the bristles (or whatever) are worn off with normal use, it sounds like you may have gotten a faulty one.
Another tip for cleaning your stamps - I keep a box of baby wipes on my craft table and when I am done stamping, I stamp off on a scrap paper and then stamp stamp stamp inside the box of baby wipes. One wipe can clean many stamps so it isn't too uneconomical, although probably not the best for the environment.
If you don't clean the pads, you'll end up with a stain and the pads will fray quicker. Since the pigment inks like to hang out longer, I actually use one pad for my craft (pigment) inks and one pad for my classic (water based dye inks).
With proper cleaning, most people have the pads for several years with minimal wear in the fibers.
If you have been cleaning the pads as described above and it still frayed contact the demonstrator you purchased it from to see if SU! can help.
__________________ Just taking it one day at a time.....
Gotta clean them babies.. just pop out the pads, rinse them under running water and let them air dry. Makes a world of difference. I always know it's time to clean mine, when my fingers get dirty when cleaning a stamp. I have three scrubs so I can use another while one is drying. Pam
__________________ "The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him."
And I always make sure I "stamp off" any excess ink on scrap paper before I clean it on the scrub pad. That will minimize the amount of ink on the pads as well.
You most definitely have to clean them. I am lazy and don't pop mine out, I just run it under the faucet and rub hand soap on it also to get it clean. You also want to be sure it's dry, too. My rule of thumb is, when I rub the stamp to clean it and I start getting "splatter" on the stamps, it's time to clean it. Another way to test is clean a stamp, then immediately stamp on some scrap paper. If the image is clear, you're fine. If it's got purple tones, it's time to clean the pads.
Craft inks mess it up much quicker, so if you are using those you'll need to clean sooner... One tip is to really stamp "off" the ink first before cleaning the stamp. That way less ink is in your scrub pad.
Even more importantly, don't rub too hard when cleaning your stamps. Gentle rubbing is actually better than hard scrubbing. With less pressure, you're giving the fibers enough chance to move around and "scrub" the stamp for you. Rub the stamp gently in a circular motion, and you'll be all good.
AND, don't forget your stamp cleaner spray....
Okay, this is probably WAY more than you wanted to hear, but I love my SU! scrub pad and I want you to love yours too!
If you are using baby wipes to clean your clear stamps, you should make sure it does not contain aloe as this can damage the clear stamps and make them sticky, gooey.
I learned this at a class I took in a large LSS store and from the stamp company representatives. Wipes okay, aloe - NO.
I wash mine once a week. Dawn and hot water. I have two sets so I can pop one in while the other dries. Then I have one at the ready. I also use non alcohol wipes to initially clean them off.
I use baby wipes and the stamp pad scrub. I clean my scrub at least after each session of stamping, sometimes have to clean it in the middle also. I use water and mild liquid soap, shake dry well then blot on thick terry towel. Ready to use again.
I use ultra clean with my SU pad. I think the UC seems to smear is more. It gets ALL of the ink off, but it leaves a residue that doesn't stick to the pad well.
Concerning cleaning...I have had my pad for five years with no trouble. I throw those puppies in the dishwasher, then let them air dry.
So they are dishwasher safe? Good to know. I will clean my pads today when I get home. Thanks for all the feedback! ;)
Just don't let them run through the heat cycle to dry, or they might warp. As soon as the wash/rinse cycle is finished, take them out and set them out to air dry.
Just don't let them run through the heat cycle to dry, or they might warp. As soon as the wash/rinse cycle is finished, take them out and set them out to air dry.
You can change the "might" to "will".
Have had my scrub for almost 8 years and it's still going strong (although I do have another that gets used as well for when it's being cleaned.
Definitely don't scrub hard. Just like when brushing your teeth...a light touch is better.
When you let them dry, consider flipping them bristle-side down onto paper towels. That will wick away leftover ink residue.
__________________ Sharon Rogers
My Blog: www.stampwithsharonrogers.com Attitudes are contagious. Is yours worth catching?
I am really lazy when it comes to cleaning my pads. I too throw them into the dishwasher. I have even forgotten to take them out once and they went through the drying cycle. they did warp a little, but they popped right back into the case and were fine.
Stampin Up scrub pad has failed me
