HOW TO CLEAN YOUR SELF-INKING DATER

You'll need:

An old toothbrush (you could use a new one if you really want.)

Warm, soapy water or Stamp Cleaner. Water won't clean some inks.
You'll need Stamp Cleaner if you're using a special ink.

A rag (don't use a paper towel - it will leave fibers on your newly cleaned stamp)

Some absorbent paper.

The stamp that needs cleaning.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

First you have to be sure which type of self-inking dater you have.
If your stamp has an ink pad inside the frame, you're at the right page.
The other daters, called pre-inked stamps come two ways:

One type has a piece of rubber with raised letters on it and
no ink pad inside the frame.
You'll want to see the instructions for X-Stampers™. [click here]

The other type has a flat surface where the letters are and raised letters for the date.
      If you touch it  (don't touch it, you get your fingers dirty)
      the ink is only where the wording is and the rest of the surface is dry.
      You'll want to see the instructions for pre-inked stamps [click here]

HOW TO CLEAN YOUR STAMP:

First, push the stamp down in the print position and lock it to hold it open.
      Different brands have different types of locks, so you'll have to look for the lock.
      Usually there are buttons on both sides of the frame.
      Sometimes there is a button at the bottom on the handle.
      Push the stamp is all the way down and press the button(s).
      Slowly let the stamp go up until you hear a click.

Put some water or cleaner on the rag.

Press the stamp on the rag (to soak the surface of the stamp)
and hold for about 10 seconds, maybe more.
Be sure the stamp stays locked open.

Put some water or cleaner on the toothbrush (not a lot, you don't want a mess).

Gently rub the plate and bands with the toothbrush to wipe away the dirt.

Wipe the surface of the stamp with rag.

Press the stamp on to the absorbent paper to get the water or cleaner off the plate.
Hold it there for about 10 seconds while the liquid soaks into the paper.

Turn each band once to expose the next month, day and year. Clean just the bands.
Keep turning the bands until you're back where you started.

Unlock the stamp. Usually just pushing on the top of the stamp will unlock it.

What if I don't have an old toothbrush?

You can use the rag, it just might take a little longer to clean your stamp.