How to Clean Your Craft Supplies for a Fresh New Year

Welcome to the start of a new year! As you look forward to all the creative possibilities that 2023 will bring, it's also a great time to take a moment to clean and organize your paper crafting supplies. Not only will a tidy workspace help you feel more inspired and motivated to craft, but it will also help you make the most of our supplies by ensuring that they are in good condition and easy to find. 

Must-Have Paper Crafting Supplies

In this blog post, we'll go over some simple and effective ways to clean and take care of your craft supplies so that you can start the year off on a fresh and organized note. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced crafter, these tips will help you get your supplies in tip-top shape and ready for all the fantastic projects you have planned for the year ahead. So, let's get started!

Cleaning Your Paper Crafting Supplies - By Material!

From stamps to dies and embossing folders, a lot of the paper crafting supplies you use need some TLC (tender loving care) regarding cleaning and storing. It's easy to get lost in the plethora of crafting beautiful projects, but behind every wow-worthy design is a properly maintained paper crafting product. Whether you're a seasoned or beginner crafter, if you need a handy guide that answers all your questions about cleaning paper crafting products you may or may not have, then read and save the following tips: 

How Do I Clean Clear Stamps and Other Stamping Tools?

Craft Your Life Project Kit: Dynamic Blossoms

Clear stamps are a great way to add fun details to your cards and other crafting projects, but how do you keep them looking their best? It's easy! Just follow these simple steps for how to clean clear stamps:

• First, make sure to clean your stamp after every use so the ink doesn't build up on your stamp. When cleaning your stamp, ensure any excess ink is wiped off with a tissue, or soft cloth, such as a stamp shammy, before cleaning. 
• Then use a water-based cleaner, like a stamp cleaner or an alcohol-free baby wipe, to remove any stubborn, leftover ink. Take note that some inks may cause a stain on your stamps, such as red inks, for example, but it won't affect their quality whatsoever. However, a good stamp cleaner can help lighten up and even fade those stains away completely! 

• Finally, let the stamps air dry before storing them away from direct sunlight. This method is important because direct sunlight and extreme heat can damage and warp your stamp, leading to poor stamping results.

If you want more handy tips about cleaning and conditioning your stamps, check out this video:

For cleaning other stamping tools, such as your MISTI and acrylic stamping block, you can use a stamp cleaner or a wet cloth to wipe away any ink stains gently. 

With these basic steps, your stamping tools will always look good as new and provide many hours of crafting enjoyment!

How Do I Clean and Store My Crafting Dies?

Why should you clean your dies? Cleaning them ensures they'll be in tip-top condition when the time comes to use them again and also extends their lifespan, so it's an integral part of crafting. Sometimes, little bits and bobs of paper and materials get stuck in the corners of dies, especially when you work with intricate dies with smaller holes. 

However, cleaning your dies doesn't have to be a chore! By using a stiff bristle brush or die cleaning tool, you can gently brush your dies to work away any loose particles. 

Layering Floral Dies

When storing your dies, it is recommended that you group them in clear storage pouches. You can categorize them according to the die type, and design or even make your own unique naming conventions for them. Whatever arrangement you end up with, having them grouped and stored in clear, separate pouches helps preserve their shape and makes it easier for you to find specific dies on your next project!

How Do I Remove Ink From My Stencils?

Stencils are a fun way to add creativity to your projects, but the ink build-up can be tricky to remove. Thankfully, removing ink from stencils is easy! All it takes is a few simple yet effective techniques. 

Layered Dahlia Stencil Set (A & B)

Simply mix one teaspoon of baking soda with two cups of warm water. You can also use your regular household cleaner. Then, soak your stencil in the solution and watch as the ink disperses in minutes. Ta-da! You now have a fresh and clean stencil again!

Another alternative approach is to use rubbing alcohol and an old toothbrush - gently rub it onto the ink patches, and you'll have perfect stencils again in no time! Just remember to wipe your stencils gently and dry them after. 

How Do I Clean My Craft Blending Brushes?

Cleaning your craft blending brushes is an essential part of crafting. Keeping them in good condition will help them last longer, and cleaning them ensures that you have the most accurate effects when using them with inks. 

Cleaning your craft blending brushes will help make your projects better than ever, so don't procrastinate and clean them right after use!

How Do I Take Care of My Embossing Folders?

Embossing Folders

Taking care of your embossing folders is essential if you want to create beautiful embossed designs with them again and again. Here are some tips to remember to ensure the long life and function of your embossing folders: 

• Always store your embossing folders flat, as this prevents warping or bent edges. Store them in a binder with dividers and keep similarly sized folders together - this will also help you save time when searching for the design you want! 
• You'll also want to clean the folder surface after use, as any residue or ink can lessen the embossing effect in future applications. 

• Use an anti-static bag to store them and keep out moisture that could potentially damage the folder.

If you want more tips and tricks on how to stretch out the use of your embossing folders, check out this handy video:

Start Your 2023 Right With Properly Maintained Supplies!

Overall, remember to regularly clean your paper crafting supplies to ensure that they are always in good condition and ready for use. Cleaning is especially important at the start of a new year, as it can help you stay organized and motivated to tackle new projects with your paper crafting supplies that feel new. 

We hope these tips helped you get excited about cleaning your craft supplies and organizing for the new year. If you want more inspiration for your paper crafting projects next year, drop by our All About Crafting blog for fresh and exciting ideas. Happy new year!