How to clean Staz-On off of stamps

Jun '09 CraftyCandace

I stamp with Staz-On a lot. I always use the Staz-On cleaner that I can get at Hobby Lobby. However, it's $4 for a little bottle and I'm always running out! Is there a cheaper alternative? I was just in the middle of cleaning my stamps and I ran out. I still have three stamps to clean...
Jun '09 Amigosa

RE: CraftyCandace: I stamp with Staz-On a lot. I always use the Staz-On cleaner that I can get at Hobby Lobby. However, it's $4 for a little bottle and I'm always running out! Is there a cheaper alternative? I was just in the middle of cleaning my stamps and I ran out. I still have three stamps to clean...

Honestly, I only ever use a baby wipe to get as much as I can off. My stamps are all so stained up and look terrible, but they still work just fine. Sometimes I don't even really get to them with a baby wipe. Is this bad for them?
Jun '09 GreenDragonLady

RE: Amigosa: Honestly, I only ever use a baby wipe to get as much as I can off. My stamps are all so stained up and look terrible, but they still work just fine. Sometimes I don't even really get to them with a baby wipe. Is this bad for them?

I like to get all the ink off...that way it doesn't build up (I've seen stamps with lots of build-up...and it gets in the little crevices and it doesn't stamp as well) and I know my stamps won't dry out. Besides, they're prettier!

I've heard of people using ultra clean, simple green, or some cleaner from the dollar store. Personally I use the Stazon cleaner because it's designed for stamps...I'd hate to use something else and then discover it breaks down the rubber after a few years or something. I use regular stamp cleaner for waterbased ink.
Jun '09 Tina Scraps

RE: Amigosa: Honestly, I only ever use a baby wipe to get as much as I can off. My stamps are all so stained up and look terrible, but they still work just fine. Sometimes I don't even really get to them with a baby wipe. Is this bad for them?

I'd be interested to know that too, since regular stamp cleaner doesn't seem to work on the stazon.
Jun '09 Rae_M

RE: Tina Scraps: I'd be interested to know that too, since regular stamp cleaner doesn't seem to work on the stazon.

I don't know if this will ruin my stamps, but I just use a small amount of rubbing alcohol. I discovered that the Alcohol Blending Solution would take off Stazon ink, then I tried the rubbing alcohol and it has the same effect.
Jun '09 Sunnydi

RE: CraftyCandace: I stamp with Staz-On a lot. I always use the Staz-On cleaner that I can get at Hobby Lobby. However, it's $4 for a little bottle and I'm always running out! Is there a cheaper alternative? I was just in the middle of cleaning my stamps and I ran out. I still have three stamps to clean...

I didn't know there is a Staz on Cleaner...I use baby wipes.
Jun '09 Traceyjean

RE: Sunnydi: I didn't know there is a Staz on Cleaner...I use baby wipes.

Alcohol dries out your stamps, so I use regular stamp cleaner and a scrub pad immediately after stamping.
Jun '09 Noelle311

RE: Traceyjean: Alcohol dries out your stamps, so I use regular stamp cleaner and a scrub pad immediately after stamping.

You can also try a tooth brush with mild soap. I use that if I am out of baby wipes or my stamps need a good deep cleaning!
Jun '09 Scraprabbit

RE: Noelle311: You can also try a tooth brush with mild soap. I use that if I am out of baby wipes or my stamps need a good deep cleaning!

Alcohol will dry out rubber stamps and eventually they could crack and break.
Jun '09 CraftyCandace

RE: Scraprabbit: Alcohol will dry out rubber stamps and eventually they could crack and break.

Thanks everyone for the input. I usually use a kitchen scrubby pad but I think I might start using a toothbrush, too. Anyone ever tried to use vinegar? I'm a teacher and the ONLY thing that will get Expo markers off of my board is Windex with vinegar in it. I haven't tried it yet on my stamps. I don't want to ruin my stamps.
Jun '09 Here Kitty

RE: CraftyCandace: Thanks everyone for the input. I usually use a kitchen scrubby pad but I think I might start using a toothbrush, too. Anyone ever tried to use vinegar? I'm a teacher and the ONLY thing that will get Expo markers off of my board is Windex with vinegar in it. I haven't tried it yet on my stamps. I don't want to ruin my stamps.

I don't bother with cleaning them. I just stamp off the excess. If you don't push too hard, you're not going to get excess ink in all the crevices, but if you do you can use a small brush and get it out easily enough. I do a lot of stamping and have never had problems with too much buildup.
Jun '09 PookASaurus

RE: Here Kitty: I don't bother with cleaning them. I just stamp off the excess. If you don't push too hard, you're not going to get excess ink in all the crevices, but if you do you can use a small brush and get it out easily enough. I do a lot of stamping and have never had problems with too much buildup.

I bought regular stamp cleaner at Joann's (not sure how much it cost, I don't think it was too bad and was on sale) and I just use that and a stamp scrub pad... As long as I clean my stamp off quickly, works great!
Jun '09 CASBa

RE: Here Kitty: I don't bother with cleaning them. I just stamp off the excess. If you don't push too hard, you're not going to get excess ink in all the crevices, but if you do you can use a small brush and get it out easily enough. I do a lot of stamping and have never had problems with too much buildup.
Here Kitty Said:
I don't bother with cleaning them. I just stamp off the excess. If you don't push too hard, you're not going to get excess ink in all the crevices, but if you do you can use a small brush and get it out easily enough. I do a lot of stamping and have never had problems with too much buildup.

I do the same thing.
Jun '09 SwirlyGirl

RE: CASBa: Here Kitty Said: I don't bother with cleaning them. I just stamp off the excess. If you don't push too hard, you're not going to get excess ink in all the crevices, but if you do you can use a small brush and get it out easily enough. I do a lot of stamping and have never had problems with too much buildup. I do the same thing.

I haven't had a problem with the Staz-on. But always be sure to clean off pigment inks like Colorbox. These can actually destroy the rubber with long term usage without cleaning. I've had to replace some of my christmas stamps after the previous year I discovered my cousins had used them and not cleaned the gold colorbox off them. Rubber cracked right off the stamp.
Jun '09 DawnInAZ

RE: SwirlyGirl: I haven't had a problem with the Staz-on. But always be sure to clean off pigment inks like Colorbox. These can actually destroy the rubber with long term usage without cleaning. I've had to replace some of my christmas stamps after the previous year I discovered my cousins had used them and not cleaned the gold colorbox off them. Rubber cracked right off the stamp.
SwirlyGirl Said:
I haven't had a problem with the Staz-on. But always be sure to clean off pigment inks like Colorbox. These can actually destroy the rubber with long term usage without cleaning. I've had to replace some of my christmas stamps after the previous year I discovered my cousins had used them and not cleaned the gold colorbox off them. Rubber cracked right off the stamp.

I have heard this happens. I am neurotic about cleaning my stamps. I spent alot of money on them and don't want them ruined. Besides, if you ever resell them, other people are NOT going to want nasty, stained stamps with lots of ink buildup. I know I wouldn't.
Jun '09 DawnInAZ

RE: CraftyCandace: I stamp with Staz-On a lot. I always use the Staz-On cleaner that I can get at Hobby Lobby. However, it's $4 for a little bottle and I'm always running out! Is there a cheaper alternative? I was just in the middle of cleaning my stamps and I ran out. I still have three stamps to clean...
Candace M. Said:
I stamp with Staz-On a lot. I always use the Staz-On cleaner that I can get at Hobby Lobby. However, it's $4 for a little bottle and I'm always running out! Is there a cheaper alternative? I was just in the middle of cleaning my stamps and I ran out. I still have three stamps to clean...

I use this one with clear stamps when I use Stazon ink, which is ALOT. I just spritz some on and then wipe with baby wipes. I do the same thing when using it with rubber stamps, except I use my SU stamp cleaner instead.