I'm with Loretta on the manicure scissors, they work wonderfully and I found that they actually cause less hand pain than a traditional seam ripper. You can buy them now that have the tiny blades, but longer handles and bigger finger holes (yes thats the technical name for the loopy ends where we stick our fingers LOL). They cost a bit more, but they also last longer. I think they were made for folks with hand problems, arthritis, etc.
Terri, clean girlfriend clean!! Fill those empty spaces LOL