Nov 17 2009
Sponges – Tool Time
Sponges, sponges and more sponges. If you are a stamper, you probably use them and use a lot of them. I am currently using Stampin’ Up! sponges in my stamping. They come in a pack of 3. I cut each sponge into 12 pieces. Yes, that’s right, 12 pieces! I have seen stampers use very large chunks of sponge, like 1/4 of a whole sponge. I find it is much easier to control the ink on a littler piece of sponge. Granted, my fingers get inky when using the smaller pieces of sponge, but they are inky anyway, lol.
I don’t have a sponge dedicated to each ink color that I have either. That is way too time consuming for me to keep track of, or I am just to lazy to do so, lol. I’ll let you decide. 
I use a piece of sponge for a color and then throw it in a basket I keep at my work space.
When I have enough inky sponges I put them in a lingerie bag and send them through the washing machine. By themselves of course! They will come out stained, but the color will not transfer to the next project they are used on. This is my way of currently staying “Green” at home in regards to sponges.
What is your sponge system? Inspiring stampers want to know.
Until my next post. . . . .
Huge Hugs,
Michelle
Get ready for Brayer Workshops! I am coming to:
Portland, Michigan (Only 2 beginner workshop spots left)
2010
Dayton, Ohio at Marco Paper
Phoenix, Arizona
Monroe, Louisiana
Jacksonville, Florida
St. Louis, Missouri
Mechanicsville, Virginia
Raleigh, North Carolina
Colleyville, Texas
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Boise area of Meridian, Idaho
Riverside, California (Southern California)
Salem, Oregon
Wheaton, Illinois
St. Cloud, Minnesota
Rockville, Maryland
North Chili, New York (near Rochester)
New Johnsonville, Tennessee
Kenova, West Virginia
Helena, Montana
Middleburg Heights, Ohio
Venice, Florida
Grinnell, Iowa
Piedmont, Alabama
Auburn, Washington (near Seattle)
Elk Grove Village, Illinois
Savannah, Georgia
Atlanta, Georgia
Soledad, California
Here is a link to my workshop calendar where you can see all of my travel schedule and to get info on beginner and advanced Brayer workshops: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/workshop-calendar
Link to my Stampin’ Up website where you can order all of your must have Stampin’ Up products from me 24-7: http://michellezindorf.stampinup.net
Frequently asked questions answers: http://zindorf.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com/frequently-asked-questions/
41 responses so far
wowser…what a super tip! I didn’t know they could go through the wash. I just keep mine in a zip lock bag and then search for the right colored stained sponge!
How cool- I do the exact same thing!! I cut them up into smaller pieces, keep them in a jar- and the wash in a lingerie bag when I need to. I have wondered a few times if I was crazy to do that, but the color does not stain the next project at all. I don’t dry them, just put through the wash and air dry. Love your blog!! I have been learning so much by following your tutorials!! I really admire your beautiful work.
PS- Do you think you will hold a workshop in Nashville, TN or Paducah, KY anytime? I would love to attend, but there hasn’t been one anywhere close to me.
Ah ha! My sponge is cut in quarters. I think they’re due for a wash and a trim!
I didn’t know they could be washed. I was keeping mine in individual marked bags…Notice the word WAS….thank you
What a greas time saver. I have been trying to use my sponges according to the colour used previously. No more – now into the washer. Love it!
Great tip Michelle. I do cut my sponge into smaller pieces. All get dumped into a plastic coolwhip tub! No order at all. I just try to sort out one in a simular color to use next time. Then toss out when too yucky. NO MORE. Now they will get washed. TFS. Have terrific Tuesday , hugs…
I do the same thing you do but I do wash them with my DH’s Levis. If color transfers who’s gonna know???? I also don’t use a bag, I use a sock.
That is too funny! Here I thought I was doing such a ‘bad thing’ because I was so lazy! LOL But, it gets the sponges so much cleaner this way! I have tried to wash them by hand, but it never really gets out all the colors, it will still leave some. I’m glad to see I am such good company!
I love the smaller size sponge and just rinse them out in the sink w/soap after I use them. I’m still using the ones I got at one of your workshops!
I cut mine up into six pieces. And when they get too inky I just wash them in the sink with a little dish soap and let them air dry.
I got a different way of being economic and/or green: I use the sponges for dish washing. When the green, itchy part is too loose to clean my dishes, I tear it of and use the sponge for stamping. I just tear it in smaller peaces and throw them away when they are dirty.
What a great tip!!! I do not normally cut my sponges up that small (but I sure will from now on!!) also, I just use each edge until I can’t stand them anymore and throw them out…guess what I will be doing from now on??? Thanks so much!!
That is EXACTLY what I do with my sponges – I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who washes them in my bra bag, I thought I was a little crazy for coming up with that one
I have a set of drawers that are for nuts and bolts that you would get at
the hardware store. I have each drawer labeled for 1 color and in that drawer i
have the sponge that is for that color.
that is how i store my sponges
Great blog Michelle keep up the good work.
I have to admit..i have been throwing mine out when they are all inky..but i have wondered about running them threw the dishwasher…but never thought about the washing machine…i have a huge front loader…wonder if that would waste water??
I do the same thing with my sponges, I don’t usually cut them up so small since I buy mine from Stateline Tack or at horse.com They were originally used as Tack (saddles & horse gear cleaning) Usually a dozen for around $3. They are exactly the same as SU too.
I do the same thing with cutting the sponges, but have been cleaning mine in the sink. Need to buy a lingere bag!
One tip I have is to use a clip (the ones you sometimes see decorated) with handles and then I don’t get my fingers inky.
I “heart” my sponges! I cut them up in smaller pieces, too! Then, as I “assign” a sponge an ink color, I put them into a “hardware” box, that has 24 compartments. (I have more than one box!) Each compartment has a label with the color printed on it. That way, I never have to even wash my sponges! If I need the “Night of Navy” sponge, like I did last night, there it is!
I also use the same sponges over and over. However I rinse mine out after each use and just let them air dry over night. Then I toss them back in the drawer with all their stained buddies till the next time I need one.
Great post! I’ve been using the daubers but thought about getting some sponges. Glad to know they can be washed too.
I buy my sponges at the $2 shop in new zealand. I get 12 small makeup sponges in packet ,use them ,abuse them ,and toss them. BUT now I think I try washing them as my 4 grandkids love inking their papers and use heaps, Thanks for the great tip.
We somehow ended up with a never used foam underlay for a bed that was just sitting there taking up space until I realised that I could use it for sponges. This thing is the size of a single bed so I have enough sponges for possibly the rest of my life.
If I use a bigger piece I’ll just trim off the edge that I used but will just chuck the smaller pieces out.
happy days everyone.
Thank you very much for your good idea.Regard Erna Tan
What a great idea to throw the sponges in the washer. I always just rinse them out in the sink, but I’m sure your way would get them much cleaner.
I cut mine into 8ths. I store my sponges and daubers in a “nuts & screw” organizer. I assigned each drawer two colors (within the same color group, just not close in color; i.e. So Saffron & Ballet Blue). I save on space by combining colors and I ensured the colors weren’t close enough to confuse.
Thanks for all your tips Michelle! I love your blog!!
I cut my SU ones into quarters, and have a couple each for blues/green, reds/pinks, yellows/oranges, purples, browns/neutrals, etc.
Same way w/my Sponge Daubers…lt/dk blues, lt/dk greens, reds, pinks, oranges, yellows, browns, purples…
I use different kinds of sponges – cosmetic sponges, natural sponges, even crinkled plastic wrap – to apply ink. With the larger natural sponges I just tear a piece out of them rather than cut. I find that the ragged edges and the natural openings in the sponge give me a more interesting imprint and less of a sharp defined edge. I tend to layer ink colors and becauseof the openings in the sponge the bottom color peeks through the upper color, giving it an interesting depth and color play. If I’m applying successively darker shades of the same color I just use the same sponge, blotting off the previous color before tapping on the next. Just have to be careful that you finish all your light color sponging before moving on to the next darker color because you can’t go back to the lighter ink with a sponge that’s got dark ink on it.
I don’t run my sponges through the wash. I just dump them in a small pail of soapy water. If I wash the sponges soon after they’ve been used I can usually get out most of the color.
- Gitana, the Creative Diva
I just bought some of these and already cut them down, but I think I will try cutting them down smaller–and that’s a great idea on how to wash them! Thanks, Mish!
Good idea about washing all the sponge pieces in a laundry bag! I actually have some SU sponges and I just turn them over and use a clean spot on the sponge. I throw them in a drawer which became the abyss! LOL Now I buy Nerf balls(softball size) at Wal-Mart for a little over a dollar and cut them up. Cheap enough to just throw away when the piece gets too nasty.
I too cut my sponges into pieces but I also use bull dog clips to hold them while using them to help keep my fingers cleaner. I keep colour families together to avoid any mix ups. Love your idea of cleaning them in the washing machine – I usually just wash by hand as needed.
Thanks for the tip about washing the sponges; you continue to impress me with all the information you share with us! Thanks
I use SU sponges and sponges I bought from M’s and just cut them without thought to size. Then I try to use them with like colors. Once they’re too covered in color I just hand wash them along with my scrub pad. I like the idea of throwing them into a linen bag and then into the washer. I’ll have to think about that for the next time. But washing them by hand is so much easier for me.
Awesome Idea!
Denise Wells
I’d have something to wash if I didn’t drop them and my puppy tore them up…. guess I should bag the dog and wash her with all the pieces she has torn up.
What a cool idea!!! You are one of the most generous people on the web…ALL the work you do to show people how to do the gorgeous brayering you do. Thanks!!
I cut mine as well and put them in a drawer or a jar on my work table – I have to make sure I shut the drawer or put the lid on the jar because my cat steals them! She takes them and tears off tiny pieces until it is in the shape of a ball and then she bats them around and throws them in the air. It’s hilarious. She doesn’t come near me when I am stamping until I break out a sponge! I swear she can smell them!!!
Thanks so much for all the tutorials you have here. I love your work and look forward to seeing your next beautiful creation.
I cut them up small like you do. When I wash them, I just take them to the sink and squirt a shot of handwashing soap on them and squish and rinse until all the color is gone. I’ve never had a problem getting the ink or the soap out, although they are stained, but as you pointed out, that doesn’t transfer after they’re cleaned and dried.
I love your idea! I’ll have to get brave and cut mine into twelve..right now I cut them into six pieces. I found these awesome single row ice cube trays at the Dollar Store that have a snap on lid. Twelve (ironic that you cut your’s into 12 Ü) compartments and I label the lid with which color is in each hole. I do keep extras of my most frquently used sponge colors like Creamy Caramel, Chocolate Chip and Black in a little basket at my stamping station.
I cut mine into 1/4′s cause I like them bigger. I put a smsll bulldog clip on each one and stick a label on the clip with the colour I have used. Never have to wash them, the clip gives me something to hold onto as I am sponging and I can always find the colour I need!
So many good ideas. I use the white make-up sponges that are triangular. I haven’t tried washing them, but I do use a LePen to write the name of the ink color on the broad end.
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