While it might seem obvious, cleaning rubber stamps does need to be done and with care to prolong the life of your stamps. Whether you’re an avid stamper or just a periodic user, you should learn how to clean rubber stamps.
A simple way to clean rubber stamps is by using a spray bottle with luke warm water. You don’t need to add soap to the water as long as you are using a water-soluble ink such as Color Box, Versa Mark, Versa Magic or Brilliance stamp pads. Spritz water onto the rubber portion of the stamp and dab with a paper towel. It’s important to dab at the rubber stamp, and not to scrub it – repeated scrubbing, even if not done aggressively may loosen the rubber from the stamp block. Although you can use water, do not clean your stamps by running water over them (e.g. in the sink) – too much water in contact with your entire stamp can degrade the adhesive that binds the stamp to the block eventually causing it to fall apart.
While no special supplies are required for cleaning rubber stamps, we do recommend two stamp cleaning products that make the process easier, especially if you use your rubber stamps often.
1. The Spritzer Rubber Stamp Cleaner is a pump-action spray cleaner that works perfectly with paper towels. Spritz some cleaner onto a rubber stamp (rubber side up in the direction of the spray) – be sure to spritz generously onto the areas that have been heavily inked. Once the stamp is moistened, gently dab (don’t scrub) at the ink with a paper towel. Repeat the dabbing process as needed until all the crevices are clean and clear of any residual ink.
2. Another great rubber stamp cleaning product is the Rubber Stamp Cleaning Pad by Rub-N-Scrub. This is especially good for lightly inked stamps. The surface of the cleaning pad is covered in soft bristles – dab your inked stamp against these (do not scrub or rub your stamp). We love this pad because it’s a green way of cleaning: the pad is removable and reusable, so you don’t waste paper towels as with other cleaning methods.
So, go forth and clean. Happy Stamping to all!
– Betsy
PS colors: gravel & red (and curry)
Latest fave: Desk embossers, Yuzen Red Pool Plum Blossoms Japanese paper and Yuzen Seagreen Orange Fish Japanese paper. Love them!
Great article I will for be sharing this with my stamping customers and friends.
Thank you for the great tips 🙂
I use window cleaner, spray it on a paper towel, then press the stamp on the paper towel repeating until the ink is cleaned off the stamp!
Someone suggested baby wipes. All these years, I never bothered to clean my stamps. I never noticed a problem. But, I am wiping them now after each use.
Have read on other sites that baby wipes are a NO! NO!
It’s ok if they are alcohol free and lint free.
You can make your own cleaning solution from various detergents or you can also do baby wipes, don’t believe what others say I’ve been cleaning my stamps ever since I was born.
Avoid bleach, nail varnish remover, oil-based or any other harsh chemicals damage the rubber pad. Just plain water is best, alcohol is a no-no, and a paint edging pad is a great solution. Try out this trick next time you use your rubber stamps and keep them looking as good as new.