Homemade stamp cleaner solution?

[Anonymous]

Hi! I'm new here! my friend told me about this place & mentioned that there was a discussion somewhere here about a homemade solution for cleaning my stamps so that I don't have to keep buying the bottles of it? Can anyone help please????

[Sherlie]

hi there legendsgirl,

i am new to here also but i have been into stamping for 10 years +. This site is amazing and i stumbled upon it looking for a pattern for a library card holder and i am certainly glad i did. Anyway to answer your question, I use a mixture of half windex and half water sprayed on a stamp cleaning pad to clean my stamps. I have also used baby wipes successfully to clean them but the spray bottle mixture seems to work the best and easiest.

Sherlie

[TileGuysGal]

Look at the quick reply! You are awesome!! I will try your solution!! Thank you SO much!!!

[lbirus]

I know everyone here (on SCS) swears by either baby wipes or the stampin mist cleaner from SU, but I had some makeup remover from a free gift (not the kind that separates) I tried it in my spray bottle with the cleaning pad from SU... works great! I figure if it's ok for my face, it's ok for my stamps.

[angelwings]

I copied a mixture someone posted previously. They said it is about the same as the SU. 2 tablespoons rosewater with glycerin (buy in drugstore), squirt of Baby Wash and 8 oz. distilled water. Have not tried it yet but have the stuff to do it with.

[jm_donahoe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbirus

I know everyone here (on SCS) swears by either baby wipes or the stampin mist cleaner from SU, but I had some makeup remover from a free gift (not the kind that separates) I tried it in my spray bottle with the cleaning pad from SU... works great! I figure if it's ok for my face, it's ok for my stamps.

What a great idea! DH bought me the wrong kind of CLinique cleaner and so it just sits! A little expensive to contiue to buy, but will work in a pinch to use up what I have! I am going to try it - thanks!

[erin_clarice]

Thanks for the tips on making your own cleaner! Right now I'm using baby wipes which work ok, but I usually get some lint left on my stamps and then I have to rub that off before I use it again. Does anyone else have this problem? Is it just the brand I have? (I don't remember what kind they are...)

A note on the do-it-yourself cleaner - do you have to use it with the SU scrub pad or do you use something else "homemade" to scrub it with?

[LisaJ21]

Erin_Clarice
You can use paint pads - those things made for cutting in on your walls - it's similar to the SU scrub pads - of course you have to come up with a tray to put it in.

[AZMommy]

Erin - before I got the scrub pad from SU, I used folded up paper towels (spritzed with stamp cleaner) on a paper plate. I still use this in a pinch for large groups so everyone has a 'cleaner' within reach.

[Joan B]

I have 3 scrub pads (the kind that can come out of the container) and throw them in the dishwasher when they get really bad! I no longer buy stamp cleaner except for the kind that cleans off permanent black ink. but, I'm out of that cleaner and am just using a mixture of windex and water and you know what? The stamps look dirty but they stamp clean. Just be sure to test on a piece of scrap paper so you don't ruin a nice stamp pad or paper!

[Stampingdeedee]

Bump!!!

[stampin_sher]

As long as they are all alcohol free I think they would work. Remember SU's cleaner also has a conditioner to keep the rubber soft and not dried out.

[gbedwright]

I, too, tried the pads and baby wipes for awhile, but I hated to deal with the messy stuff. I stumbled upon an idea I have been using successfully for over two years...great thing is I am still using the same pads. The pads that you purchase to put on the bottoms of chair legs to keep them from scaring wood floors comes in a a full pad that has adhesive on the back. I have two stuck side by side on my craft table---one for cleaning the other for drying. I have been truly satisfied with this idea as the pads are stain resistant even with embossing inks. I am still using my initial purchased pads. I like the stamp cleaners as I have found that stubborn carpet stains from "whatever" when you have kids, will come out even when other "carpet cleaners" do not work. I have not tried it yet for clothing for washing, but it may be worth a try.

[jeaniebean55]

The one thing I don't like about the SU! stamp scrubber is that if my card is too close, it gets splattered with a fine mist of the spraying ink. I've been using an old wet washcloth folded up and sitting on a tupperware top. When I'm finished, I just throw it in the washer with my other rags. Occiasionally, I spray down my stamps with the SU! cleaner to give them a "conditioning."

[Anonymous]

Hi I am a newbie to the site. It has to be the best site I was ever on for stamping and ideas. This is great! I will have to try the windex and water. Thanks!

[Christine Reese]

This really works!

I got this idea from Stamp It magazine. If your stamps are really ugly from staining, pour a small puddle of hand sanitizer (yes, Purell!) on a saucer or flat surface and sit the stamp in it for a few seconds. Scrub the stamp with a soft brush. If it isn't clean enough for you, try it a second time. Don't leave it sit in the liquid too long as it has an alcohol base. You may want to spray your stamp with Stampin' Mist to condition it afterward.

[Henrysmom]

DOH!!

[Henrysmom]

CAREFUL!!!!!!

Ladies, please check the bottle of Windex. If it contains alcohol DON'T USE IT ON YOUR STAMPS! It will dry and crack them eventually.
Stampin mist is a conditioner as well as a cleaner. Just be careful how you treat your investments!

[passion4paper]

Sherlie,
Does either the baby wipes or 1/2 windex solution work for Staz On?

Joan,
Are the removable pads you are talking about that you are putting in the dishwasher the ones from SU?

Thanks again for all the awesome info...you people make this site the GREATEST!

[Sherlie]

Passion4Paper,

i dont know as i havent used the Staz on very much, and I only have the black. Any of my stamps that I have used Basic Black on are stained anyway. I dont worry too much about the black stained stamps as they are most always just used with the black or brown anyway.
Now I am worried about the windex drying my stamps out.. acckkkkkkk, I wonder if I should add a bit of glycerin to my windex solution. i certainly dont ever leave my stamps wet or damp even as I dry them off on a dry cleaner pad.
Sorry,,, I couldnt answer your question. Perhaps someone who works with Staz On would know.

[kimilou]

Quote:

Originally Posted by passion4paper

Sherlie,
Does either the baby wipes or 1/2 windex solution work for Staz On?

Joan,
Are the removable pads you are talking about that you are putting in the dishwasher the ones from SU?

Thanks again for all the awesome info...you people make this site the GREATEST!

Try your Versamark pad. Stamp your stamp in VM and let it set overnight. In am , clean as usual.