How To Clean Wooden Printing Blocks

As you use your wooden printing blocks multiple times, color accumulates on them and you start to lose details if you don’t clean them. Cleaning depends on how delicate the wooden printing blocks are. I would put them against many layers of towel paper and repeat the process several times and latterly clean it gently under running tap water if they’re delicate. However, I would wipe it clean using a soft cotton rag, If the Wooden printing blocks are kindly robust. It’s easier if you slightly be-dew the rag with baby oil or vegetable oil. Turpentine also works if you have good ventilation. Still, it might be necessary to wash those areas using turpentine and soft encounter and also wipe them dry, If there’s color in the grooves( which should be avoided at all times).

Murphy’s oil soap will remove stubborn colors without the smothers of turpentine, but use the concentrated stuff in the bottle. A soft toothbrush helps. Don’t add water to Murphy’s oil soap or it can get your wood block to swell. Test it first to do a practice.

Taking Care of Your Wooden Printing Blocks

Numerous of our guests asked us about taking care of the wooden printing blocks. So we’re posting this blog about how can we save our wooden printing blocks and keep printing using them for a longer time.

Before we go ahead and share instructions, it’s important to understand the wood used to make these beautiful pieces. In India, wooden printing blocks are made using Rosewood, also known as Sheesham Wood. After the carving, the blocks are generally dipped in mustard oil overnight or for a couple of days to enhance their life. Sheesham wood is termite-proof, so you need not worry about termites.

What Happens When You Do Not Clean Them duly?

Your beautiful blocks die a slow, painful, and unattractive death if you do not clean wooden printing blocks duly.

Post Printing Care
After you finish the printing process, it’s important to clean and dry your precious wooden printing blocks before storing them in the boxes.

Just follow these ways every time you’re cleaning the blocks after printing:

Take a bucket filled with water and dip all dirty blocks in it. Leave them submerged for 5 minutes.
After 5 minutes clean the blocks gently with a soft brush.
After you brush the block, dip them again in another bucket filled with clean water. Repeat the same process for all dirty blocks.
Wipe them with a dry cotton cloth.
Put the blocks under shade for drying.
Once you’re sure that the blocks are dried, store them back in a clean box.

Using anything from a simple vinegar and water mixer or a mild dishwashing soap along with warm water can make all the difference. You can also use your regular multi-purpose dishwashing liquid. Although, you can not bleach off using the harsh chemicals down on these blocks as it’ll make the wood dry out.