To get the most out of the investment in your stamps and to get a great stamped image, your stamps should be cleaned as soon as possible after use. Firstly make sure you use the correct cleaner for the ink you used.

Water-based ink, such as the Classic or Craft Stampin' Pads, can be cleaned up using a water-based cleaning solution, like Stampin' Mist, or water.  Solvent-based inks, such as the StazOn Ink Pad, will require a specialised cleaning product to match, like StazOn Cleaner.

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Foam Mounted Rubber Stamps

To clean foam mounted rubber stamps you should not submerge them or run them underwater. The foam mount (the grey foam between the wooden block and rubber image) should not be saturated or it may distort and ruin your stamp. Using a proper cleaning solution for your rubber stamps will keep them in good condition.

Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Mist are a great partnership for cleaning water-based ink from your rubber stamps. Stampin' Mist is a cleaning fluid that comes in a spray bottle and is specially formulated to clean and condition your rubber stamps. Lightly spray one pad of the Stampin' Scrub with Stampin' Mist and leave the other dry. For best results, do not over-saturate the pad. Scrub your stamp on the damp pad, then rub it on the dry pad to remove any leftover ink and moisture.

You can also clean stamps with a damp Simply Shammy. Wet the Simply Shammy, wring it out as much as you can, and gently clean your stamps. This is a great option to use with the Stamparatus.

Another alternative is to gently use wet wipes to clean and then patting dry. If you are using wet wipes to clean your stamps then ensure that they are not alcohol-based.

Photopolymer Stamps

It is recommended that you clean your photopolymer stamps as soon as possible to reduce staining. Stampin' Scrub and Stampin' Mist are a great partnership for thoroughly cleaning water-based ink from your photopolymer stamps, as is the Simply Shammy (see directions above).

Photopolymer stamps do not have a foam mount, so the stamps adhere directly to a clear block. That means that water-based ink can also be cleaned off your photopolymer stamps by running them underwater.  Washing them with mild soap and water is also a great way to clean photopolymer stamps that get dusty or lose their stickiness.