Organizing is not my thing. Instead of having a neat and tidy space that looks good on Instagram, my studio space is like a goldfish tank. The supplies expand to the space I give them.
So when I do straighten things up once or twice I year, I find resin that needs attention. Maybe you do too. Like…
Unused resin
Spilled resin
Cured resin drips
Whatever you’ve got going on, here’s how to clean up resin.
Step 1: Decide what you’re keeping.
Sort your resin supplies into bins of use or lose.
⭐️ BONUS: Don’t throw away that yellow resin. It can cure if you’ve stored it well. Here’s what you can do with yellowing resin instead.
Step 2: Dispose of items you don’t want anymore.
Disposing of products properly is very important because many epoxy products can be toxic to aquatic life.
A resin’s safety data sheet (SDS) is the best place to look for how to dispose of unused material. You’ll find it in section 13.
⭐️ BONUS: We’ve got SDS information for Resin Obsession resins available whenever you need it.
But sadly, a lot of resin companies don’t make that information available, especially if they’re selling cheap epoxy resin. That’s why you need to presume the resin is hazardous. Then, take the kit to a hazardous materials collection center. These places are the same locations where you take extra paint, unused medications, and old electronics.
How should you not clean up unused resin?
Never ever, ever pour them down your drain, sewer, sink, toilet, septic system. Basically, anything where the resin will contaminate water.
Never, ever, ever include unused epoxy liquids in your trash.
Never, ever, ever run containers and utensils through your dishwasher. (Unless of course, you don’t mind buying a new one and the plumbing to go with it.)
Disposal of empty bottles
Switch the caps (resin cap goes on hardener bottle and hardener cap goes on resin bottle) and they will cure shut. If you have a tiny bit left in each bottle, you can pour one into the other and let the resin cure, then throw it away. Then, once they’ve cured, you can throw these in the trash.
Step 3: Clean up spilled resin and hardener liquids.
Gather these supplies:
*Paper towels
*Zip-top plastic bags
*Acetone or denatured alcohol
*Good dishwashing soap (not the cheap stuff).
Then, make sure you have fresh air circulating in the room. Resin mixed with solvent fumes aren’t something you breathe. Put on protective gloves.
If it’s a tiny spill, wipe up the spill and put the towels in the zip-top bag. Seal tightly and throw away in your regular trash. If it’s a bigger mess, continue to clean up, but throw the paper towels in a garbage bag and take it to the hazardous materials collection center.
I realize that sounds like overkill, but we all play an essential part in keeping our aquatic friends safe.
Next, use the solvent to wipe up the remaining sticky residue. Then, use a damp towel with soap and warm water to remove the remaining solvent.
💡 Pro tip: Not only do I store my resin kits in a dark closet, but I also keep them in a plastic container. That way, should something spill, it’s contained on a surface that’s easier to clean.
Step 4: Clean up cured resin.
Once your resin has fully cured, you can throw it away in your regular garbage.
⭐️ BONUS: Here are other ideas of what you can do with your resin mistakes instead of throwing them away.
I have cured epoxy on my countertops. How do I clean up that resin?
Proceed with the idea that you may ruin your surface by trying this. But then again, having resin drips all over your table isn’t ideal, either.
Place a cloth over the resin drips. Next, apply boiling hot water. Allow the heat to permeate for five to ten minutes. Then try to peel off the resin. If that doesn’t work, use a putty knife to scrape under it to loosen the resin.
How do I clean up resin on my clothing?
Yeah. I wish I knew. Once it’s cured, it’s all but ruined. If the resin is still wet, you can apply alcohol or acetone to get as much out as possible. Then use laundry detergent on the spot to get out more residue. It all won’t come out, but at least you won’t have a hard area of cured resin on your shirt. Instead, it looks like a grease stain, and people will think you’re a sloppy eater.
⭐️ BONUS: Here are the safety precautions you should take when working with resin.
Want more helpful information beyond how to clean up resin?
I would love to be your Yoda, resin padawan. I wrote my ebook Resin Fundamentals for beginners like you. Instead of making mistakes, you can learn from my sixteen years of resin experience. Buy the PDF book now, and you can read it this afternoon. All for less than the price of a resin kit.
Unpublished Blog Posts of Resin Obsession, LLC © 2023 Resin Obsession, LLC
Greetings, enthusiasts of resin artistry and organization mastery! As a seasoned resin aficionado with a profound understanding of the craft, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge garnered from hands-on experience spanning sixteen years in the realm of resin manipulation. My studio isn't just a workspace; it's a living testament to the ebb and flow of creative chaos, where supplies expand to fill the void I grant them.
Now, let's delve into the intricacies of the article on cleaning up resin, a task that requires finesse and a touch of practical wisdom.
1. Unused Resin Management:
- Segregate your resin supplies into bins of 'use' or 'lose.'
- Discover the potential of yellowing resin; it can still cure if stored properly.
2. Proper Disposal:
- Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for disposal guidance; it's typically in section 13.
- If SDS info is elusive, presume the resin is hazardous and take it to a hazardous materials collection center.
- Never pour unused resin down drains, sinks, toilets, or trash; it can be toxic to aquatic life.
3. Cleaning Spilled Resin:
- Equip yourself with paper towels, zip-top plastic bags, acetone or denatured alcohol, and quality dishwashing soap.
- For small spills, wipe and discard in regular trash; for larger messes, consider hazardous materials collection.
- Use solvents to remove sticky residue, followed by soap and warm water.
4. Managing Cured Resin:
- Cured resin can go in regular garbage.
- Explore alternatives to discarding resin mistakes.
5. Resin on Countertops:
- Place a cloth over cured resin, apply boiling water, wait, and attempt to peel or scrape off.
6. Resin on Clothing:
- Act quickly for wet resin; use alcohol or acetone, followed by laundry detergent.
- Once cured, removal is challenging, but not impossible; accept the battle scars of a resin artist.
7. Additional Tips:
- Store resin kits in a dark closet within a plastic container for easier cleanup.
- For more profound insights into resin artistry and management, consider exploring additional resources, such as ebooks like "Resin Fundamentals."
In closing, fellow resin enthusiasts, remember that a tidy workspace doesn't define creativity; it merely provides a canvas for your artistic journey. May your resin endeavors be both expressive and organized!
