Sharon Schambers said she uses one of the plastic ties that is used to keep price tags on from a store - clothing etc. She puts this in the end of her bottle when not in use, because a needle or pin will rust. I keep the cap on mine and wash the tip thoroughly in warm soapy water when I am through using it. But while using it betwen uses on different parts of the binding, I put the little plastic tie into the end. I haven't had problems with it stopping up. I do use Elemer's School glue, it washes out of fabric. but yet holds when using it. Be sure to heat set the place you glue when you are using glue on fabric, that way it sticks the two pieces of fab. together.