Been doing it for a couple years, no soaking necessary, just wash as usual and never any residual glue left over. I do use the small metal tips on a small bottle I bought from the art store (they also make some for quilter's, Roxanne's I think). I found that the only problem if using too much is that it's really hard to stitch through...gotta get the pliers out to get the needle thru the corners, lol.