Ok I have several used quilt stencils and was told by a local LAQ that using spray adhesive on the back of the stencil helps it stay in place when using the pounce pad, and it works great, but I have finished several different projects doing just that and would like to get the residue off of the stencils for storage. I have tried rubbing alcohol, laquer thinner, and soap and water, but rubbing the stencils can cause damage (especially if there are points on them) Any suggestions, the spray basting can suggests using organic cleaning methods-what does that mean?

Write to www.quiltingstencils.com (The Stencil Co) They probably will be able to give you the answer as in the past they know the plastic has been cleaned from paint.

Maybe a little Goo Gone?

I don't know if this is an option or not or if it even works. But could you maybe put a piece scrap of fabric over the stensil and iron it to remove the glue? I don't know if that will work or not but just a suggestion.

wouldn't that melt the plastic template?

I have some of this and will give it a try this evening, I just want to clean the lint and thread bits along with the remaining adhesive off of them, makes for storing them much easier.

I have a can of spray-on cleaner I got to clean the adhesive off my embroidery machine hoops. I would think it would work for the stencils. I got it from Long Creek Mills in Gastonia, NC when I was there.

baby oil works for me every time.

when my niece is heavy handed with the spray i have to use goo gone.

I would just put a piece of friezer paper shiny side on stencil on the back to store them

I was thinking wax paper! that way the sticky will still be there if you want to use the stencil again...

I hate basting spray...if you can not remove with soap and water from your stencils...what is doing to your cotton fabric....

A little baby oil on a paper towel will remove the adhesive and then clean the oil off with a spray cleaner or sudsy water. (You can also use a turp substitute or a good brush cleaner if you keep art supplies on hand.)

i just talked with The Stencil Co and was told Goo Gone will take the adhesive off and then wash with a bit of detergent to take the Goo Gone off.

Thank you, just got home and tried goo gone, it removed most of the junk (lint, chalk and fuzz) but some of the adhesive is still on the larger ones, DH doesn't like the smell so will try again when it's warmer outside and wont have the stench in the house.

That is a very good point. Can you wash it out of fabric?

Love Goo Gone. Can get at Wal-Mart.

You might try lighter fluid but try it in a small space first. It will remove just about anything...

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

On a small piece, try eucalyptus oil.It usually works - just check that it doesn't affect the plastic.

I know this sounds crazy, but try hand sanitizer. It seems to dissolve the sticky yuck leaving your stencil germ free!

I am sorry, if you have already tried this. I do machine embroidery, and use spray adhesive on the hoops, they also get very sticky. To clean them I run warm soapy water in sink or any vessel your stencil will fit into and let it soak sometimes for hours. But, it does get where you can wipe them right off. I have heard not to use rubbing alcohol to clean plastic hoops, because this dries them out. Maybe worth a try. Good luck.

Try WD-40. I use it to remove all kinds of adhesive. Then follow up with a dish detergent wash and rinse. Sometimes I let it sit for a few minutes on hard-to-remove spots.

I will try this as I am sure my DH prefers Dawn dish soap over Goo-Gone.

Maybe DH will loan me some of his, it's worth a try to get this sticky stuff off the stencils.

Do you mean the kind that you don't need water for? It's worth a try, will have to give this a test as well. I am certainly glad that I don't spray this on my quilts.

I don't use any adhesive on my stencils but I use velcro dots and that helps to keep the stencil from moving.

That is a very good point. Can you wash it out of fabric?[/quote]

The basting spray does wash out of your fabric when you wash the quilt. I use it all the time.

Eucalyptus oil always removed sticky residue from glass, stainless steel, and plastic plus it leaves a nice, clean, fresh smell. Good luck!

You might also try making a paste out of Oxyclean and water and trying that. My son discovered that this mixture is great for taking the watermarks off my glass shower doors and I even use it in my water for cleaning my floors. Works wonders. Takes the spray starch off my cabinet top where I do my pressing too. Might be worth a try. Just try it in a little corner first and run it under the water afterward.

Organic cleaners are Murphy's Oil Soap, citrus cleaners, etc. WD40 might also work. good luck let us know what works best...

try using WD-40 - it works beautifully on a lot of things, including getting sharpie off of your stencils and sticky stuff off of things that have leftovers from price tags

I use WD-40 and it works great. Just wash with soap and water after the gunk is removed.

Try Purel or any other brand(I buy the ones from the Dollar Store) and use it to clean paint from my stencils. Works great and doesn't smell like Goo Gone

GooGone or try white vinegar. I use white vinegar for lots of things.

That's why they make water soluble basting spray, so it washes out and cleans off easily.

This is the way I do it and have for years. There is another product called Erase but I haven't seen it sold for a while. The Goo Gone seems to have taken over the market. This does not damage your plastic and does not smell too bad either. You can use WD-40 in a pinch but the odor is awful and it is not as safe as the Goo Gone.

By the way, they make a nice stencil adhesive that comes in a bottle with a dabber that works great instead of the more powerful spray adhesive. It is sold near the stencils in the store. I prefer that.

I love this board. I get answers to questions that I haven't even thought of yet. Thanks for the advice.

Eucalyptus Oil usually does the trick with removing anything sticky. Good luck!

You could try nail varnish remover, it works on glass windows to remove sticky residue, try it and tell me how it works on your plastic. Just a small amount on a piece of fabric.

I use painter's tape to adhere my stencils to my quilt to mark. It doesn't leave a sticky residue and will come off easily, but does keep the stencil in one place while marking.