I also object to using wipes -- though for a different reason. Wipes always
have a scent, either from the perfume added to them or, even in the case of
"unscented" wipes, from the soap and chemicals in the wipe. When
backpacking in bear country, experienced hikers know to use a "bear bag" at
night -- putting all food and scented items in a bag and stringing it
between two trees out of reach of curious bears. Deodorant, lotion,
mosquito repellent, after shave, soap, and detergent are all items that you
should stow each night in your bear bag. Bears and other wild critters can
pick up on odors from these products that humans might not even smell --
and an airtight container doesn't block the scent. Using wipes to clean a
stamp in a letterbox can leave a trace scent that sends a signal to all
critters in the area that there's something interesting waiting to be explored.

For that reason, I think wipes should be avoided. Better to carry a
dampened paper towel in a plastic baggie.

MARTEL wrote:
>I, personally, would not use wipes to clean anyone else's stamp. Some
>wipes contain chemicals that can hasten the deterioration of the rubber in
>a stamp. You would be
>safer to use just a wet paper towel or wash cloth. Though the damage
>would not be immediate, over time it could make a difference.




|-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-#-|
Silent Doug, P07 F32 X04
silentdoug@douglasgerlach.com
http://letterboxing.gravitycloud.com

Has anyone had any experience with the bottles of cleaner available for
rubber stamps? I found some in A.C.Moore yesterday, for about $3. Thought
it would be good to have on hand to clean the stamps we find. I tried a
damp paper towel, but that crumbled, so I resorted to a slosh from my water
bottle and a careful blotting. I've decided to stay away from baby wipes.
Kittlekatz
----- Original Message -----
From: "MARTEL"
To:
Sent: Saturday, August 10, 2002 9:26 AM
Subject: [LbNA] A word of caution re: cleaning stamps


> I am a newbie to letterboxing, but have been rubber stamping for over
> twenty years and teaching rubber stamping for two. I, personally, would
> not use wipes to clean anyone else's stamp. Some wipes contain chemicals
> that can hasten the deterioration of the rubber in a stamp. You would be
> safer to use just a wet paper towel or wash cloth. Though the damage
would
> not be immediate, over time it could make a difference. Just a thought.
>
>
>
> To unsubscribe: mailto:letterbox-usa-unsubscribe@egroups.com
> List info, archives, etc: http://www.letterboxing.org/list.html
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>

I fugured as much, thats why I posted the question to the list.

Damp paper towels are easy to carry along in a baggie of their own.

On 10 Aug 2002, at 9:26, MARTEL wrote:

> I am a newbie to letterboxing, but have been rubber stamping for over
> twenty years and teaching rubber stamping for two. I, personally,
> would not use wipes to clean anyone else's stamp. Some wipes contain
> chemicals that can hasten the deterioration of the rubber in a stamp.
> You would be safer to use just a wet paper towel or wash cloth.
> Though the damage would not be immediate, over time it could make a
> difference. Just a thought.
>
>
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--

Dragonpearl.
Team Leader for Elysium
http://www.thewizardsquest.com/elysium/
--
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Dragonpearl's Page of Random Stuff
http://www.geocities.com/drgnprl

--- In letterbox-usa@y..., "Chris Hubbard" wrote:
> Has anyone had any experience with the bottles of cleaner available
for
> rubber stamps? I found some in A.C.Moore yesterday, for about $3.

I've seen those, too, and figured they would leave a scent just like
moist towelettes do because there are chemicals in the bottled
cleaner, too.

I use my dust rags, which are old t-shirts and dry-rotted pillowcases
that I have ripped into washcloth-sized pieces that I dust with
because they're so soft, easily washed and re-used, and better for
the environment than using a dozen paper towels. They also come in
handy to wipe off stamps with, and I suppose I could use them for a
bandage if I came to some harm while searching through hill and dale
for a box! (Don't laugh, I've had my moments!)

-- M. Gainey
Richmond, VA
5F1P0X

I have been using a cloth similar to a handy-wipe, but not colored,
just dampened with a little water. It is lightweight to carry and
lends itself to reuse, and unlike paper towel, doesn't fray or break
apart. It seems to work very well.

Deb (SpringChick)
P5 F3 X0

--- In letterbox-usa@y..., "MARTEL" wrote:
> I am a newbie to letterboxing, but have been rubber stamping for
over
> twenty years and teaching rubber stamping for two. I, personally,
would
> not use wipes to clean anyone else's stamp. Some wipes contain
chemicals
> that can hasten the deterioration of the rubber in a stamp. You
would be
> safer to use just a wet paper towel or wash cloth. Though the
damage would
> not be immediate, over time it could make a difference. Just a
thought.

Amy and I use, I believe, that very cleaner. It's good for store
bought stamps however I wouldn't use it on hand carved stamps. We're
afraid to much rubbing and the cleaning solution may be to much for
some crumbly(sp) materials.
Just a thought.
Patrick

--- In letterbox-usa@y..., "Chris Hubbard" wrote:
> Has anyone had any experience with the bottles of cleaner available
for
> rubber stamps? I found some in A.C.Moore yesterday, for about $3.
Thought
> it would be good to have on hand to clean the stamps we find. I
tried a
> damp paper towel, but that crumbled, so I resorted to a slosh from
my water
> bottle and a careful blotting. I've decided to stay away from baby
wipes.
> Kittlekatz