How To CLEAN RESIN out of Mixing Cups, Tools & More
How to Clean Resin Out of Tools and Mixing Cups: A Comprehensive Guide
Clean Resin from Cups and Tools
Epoxy resin is a versatile and popular medium used for various craft and artistic projects ranging from resin art, to jewelry, to dining tabletops; but cleaning up epoxy can sometimes be a challenge.
Resin tends to stick to tools and resin mixing cups, leaving behind a stubborn residue that is basically impossible to get out, we'll just say it right here. But don't worry, we have tips, tricks and solutions for you.
In this guide, we'll walk you through different methods to clean epoxy from tools and any mixing container, ensuring they're ready for your next project, and offer advice for what do do to make things easier going forward.
Whether you're a seasoned resin artist or a just beginning with resin, these techniques will help you maintain your tools and keep your workspace tidy.
Bookmark this page right away, you are not going to want to lose this guide when you are sitting with resin on your skin or tools!
Read How To Get Epoxy Resin off of Skin
Removing Excess Resin from Mixing Cups
Here are some tips and tricks for getting epoxy out of resin mixing cups.
Clean Resin Cups Immediately
When working with epoxy resin, it's crucial to clean cups as soon as you're finished using them and finished pouring. This prevents the resin from hardening and becoming difficult to remove.
We will start by saying it is actually best to purchase either silicone or disposable cups to start with (bonus if you get a cup dispenser!) as well as getting some silicone stirring tools, but we are going to talk more about that further down.
See the disposable cups we recommend here
Check price of silicone resin mixing cups and stirring tools here
If you are already at the point where you have resin in your mixing container and you need to get it out, here is what you can do.
Follow these steps:
Step 1: Scrape Out Remaining Resin
Using a plastic or silicone stir stick, gently scrape any remaining resin from the sides and bottom of the cup. Be careful not to damage the cup if that is possible to do so, but do try to get every drop out.
Step 2: Wipe with Paper Towels (note: shop towels are much better at this job)
Wipe the cup's interior with paper towels to remove as much resin as possible. Dispose of the paper towel properly and immediately to avoid getting wet resin on anything along the way.
Step 3: Clean with Rubbing Alcohol
Dampen a paper towel or shop towel with rubbing alcohol and wipe down the cup to remove any leftover resin. This will help dissolve and loosen the resin for easier cleaning. We really don't recommend adding a ton of chemicals at this stage.
*We are really going to encourage you at this point to get yourself some silicone resin cups going forward.
Dealing with Dried Resin Cups
If the epoxy resin in your mixing container has dried, don't worry. You can still try your best to salvage the cup with these steps:
Step 1: Soak in Hot Water
Fill resin mixing containers or reusable cups with hot water and place the resin-dried cup inside. Let it soak for about 15-20 minutes to soften the resin (this may or may not work depending on the brand of resin you used and how well you mixed it).
Yes, you can use clean yogurt containers for this as well.
Step 2: Scrape and Peel
After soaking, use a plastic scraper (or plastic spoon or clean resin tools) to gently scrape, wipe and peel off the dried resin. Be patient and avoid using too sharp of tools that could damage the cup.
Step 3: Clean with Dish Soap
This is a last resort, we digress, but you can try to wipe and wash the cup with warm water and soap to remove any remaining residue. Rinse thoroughly and let it dry.
Going forward, if you have silicone resin cups, place a wooding stir stick in the cup and go ahead and let that resin cure in the cup. Once you see the resin harden, just pull that stir stick out and the cured epoxy should come out with it.
Cleaning Epoxy Resin Tools
Immediate Cleaning
It is important to clean epoxy resin tools after use as this will extend their lifespan and keep them in good condition.
Step 1: Wipe Off Excess Resin
As soon as you finish using the tools, wipe off any excess resin with a paper towel or hardier shop towel. This prevents the resin from hardening and makes the cleaning process easier.
See shop towel dispenser here, this makes it easy to grab and go at your resin station.
Step 2: Clean with Rubbing Alcohol
Dampen a paper towel with rubbing alcohol and gently wipe down the tools to remove resin residue. Make sure you are using the proper nitrile gloves for this process (and the whole resin process).
In fact, go and give our Resin Safety article a read if you haven't already, it is something that is not often talked about but should be!)
Anyways, this can be especially effective for removing sticky spots.
Read about Resin Safety here (and bookmark this one too!)
Use Silicone Cups and Molds
Cleaning Silicone Cups
Silicone is THE BEST choice for mixing epoxy resin in, as resin doesn't adhere to silicone surfaces. Cleaning them is relatively straightforward, and you have two options:
OPTION 1
Step 1: Scrape Off Resin
Using a silicone or plastic tool, scrape off any remaining resin from the cup's interior. Silicone is flexible, making it easier to remove dried resin.
Step 2, Option 1: Wash with Dish Soap
Wash the cup with warm water and dish soap to remove any residue. You can also use a soft sponge to scrub the cup's interior.
OPTION 2:
Let it Cure and Peel (*preferred method)
We have talked about this in the article already, but yes go ahead and let that resin cure or dry overnight if your cup is make out of silicone.
This is the easiest method for cleaning resin out of cups.
Mix and use your epoxy and let it dry, then just pull the fully cured resin out and discard it. Any leftover cured epoxy "drops" will simply come off easily with your nail or scraping tool, and your container will be ready for more resin.
Cleaning Silicone Molds
Silicone molds can also accumulate resin residue over time. Here's how to clean them:
Step 1: Remove Dried Spots
If you have any resin spots in the mold, gently remove them. Use a paper towel or shop towel to clean the crevices and surface.
Step 2: Soak in Rubbing Alcohol (only if absolutely necessary and your molds are quite dirty)
Use a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol in it and spray your the mold inside. Let it soak on there for about 10-15 minutes to loosen the epoxy that is still stuck (if there is any, it should peel easily out of your mold, but if it doesn't that likely means you silicone mold is getting old and may be time for replacing).
*Only do this step with rubbing alcohol if your mold needs a major cleaning. This step is really not good for your mold, so avoid it if you can clean with a shop towel or paper towel.
Read about the best silicone molds for resin here
Step 3: Scrub and Rinse
After step 1 or step 2, use a soft brush to scrub the mold's surface. We like to use a resin-dedicated clean toothbrush for this, it works perfectly.
Rinse it thoroughly with water to remove any remaining residue, and let it air dry.
Cleaning Resin Tools - Conclusion:
Cleaning your tools and mixing cups is an essential part of working with epoxy resin.
By following the right techniques and being diligent about cleaning, you can ensure the longevity of your tools and maintain a clean workspace for your projects.
It's always nice to start fresh by cleaning resin cups after each use.
Whether it's wiping off excess resin, using solvents like rubbing alcohol, or utilizing silicone tools, these methods will help you keep your equipment in excellent condition.
What to do with leftover resin?
If you have leftover resin, we highly recommend getting yourself some small silicone molds to have on hand. Keychain molds, jewelry molds, whatever you want, and have them at your resin station to pour leftover resin into.
When you have leftover resin, just go ahead and pour it into these molds. They are great sellers at craft shows and farmer markets, or they make great little gifts to have on hand for someone.
See some mold examples we recommend having on hand here.
Here are some great tips for for resin work
- Always wear gloves (protective gloves for resin are nitrile gloves)
- Always wear a respirator, even if the epoxy brand says it is non-toxic
- Make your resin in small batches if you are doing a small project
- Put a drop cloth or silicone mat down on your work surface or floor
- Use silicone cups and molds to simply peel cured resin out after it cures (you can reuse these and save money)
- Can also use disposable containers (plastic cups, baby food containers) (have extra cups and mixing containers on hand)
These are the resin tools we recommend for easier cleaning:
Silicone cups/mixing container Resin won't stick to silicone and will just peel out once it has cured
Silicone stirring tools (same idea!)
Nitrile gloves (wearing gloves is half the battle, these will come in different sizes and are disposable.
Mold Release Spay: This will help demold your resin pieces
Silicon mat: (for a clean work surface)
Drop cloth: Any drop cloth will do to protect your floors.
Shop towels: Make sure they are easily accessible so you don't have to grab the roll with epoxy-covered gloves, we recommend a shop towel dispenser!
Resin curing machine: Take resin curing form 24 hours to 2 hours. This company also makes a bubble removal machine to take bubbles out of resin BEFORE you pour, it's not quite a cleaning tip but is a great epoxy tool to have on hand.
Silicone molds (to pour excess resin mix into instead of into the garbage - to save money)
Frequently Asked Questions about removing resin from cups and tools
Q1: Can I reuse disposable cups for resin mixing?
Yes, you can reuse disposable cups for epoxy mixing if you have clean resin cups to start with and they are free from any residue. These could be coated cardboard Dixie cups or plastic cups. But we don't recommend doing this.
Using disposable resin mixing cups (and disposing of them afterwards) or a reusable silicone material is recommended for better results, and we are going to say right here that silicone of cups are far better than any disposable cup for mixed resin.
It will handle any heat better and is easier for cleaning resin cups, and it is a far better environmental choice (throwaway cups make more waste).
Q2: How do I remove sticky residue from tools and surfaces?
To remove sticky residue, you can use rubbing alcohol or a mixture of warm water and dish soap. Gently scrub the affected area with a cloth or sponge until the residue is gone.
Keep in mind that a drop cloth is a fantastic choice to protect your surface. Epoxy resin can be very difficult to remove from a surface, and preventative measures are always best practice with it comes to epoxy resin.
Q3: Can I speed up the resin curing process?
Resin curing time is influenced by factors like temperature and humidity. While you can't drastically speed up the process, placing the resin in a slightly warmer environment might help it cure a bit faster.
You could always invest in a resin curing machine which takes the 24 hour cure time for smaller project down to just a few hours.
See the resin curing machine right here
Q4: What should I do if resin is still wet after a long time?
If your resin is still wet after a significant amount of time, there might have been issues with the resin-to-hardener ratio or mixing. You may need to remove as much resin as possible and reapply a fresh mixture, or let it "cure" as best it can and do another coat with a new mixed batch.
Remember, proper cleaning and maintenance of your resin tools and mixing containers contribute to successful resin projects and save you time and effort in the long run.
Here are some other epoxy resin resources for you:
Resin Supplies & Purchasing Advice
Best Resin For Your Project
USE RESIN SAFELY
No matter what type of resin you decide to use, always use personal protective equipment (PPE). Take time to carefully go over safety data sheets before making anything with resin, and make sure you have the proper gloves on (not latex) and the right respirator for resin protection.
Here are the exact gloves we always use
This is the respirator we use and recommend for resin work
And please remember, even if your epoxy resin of choice is "VOC-free, odor free" and/or "non toxic", please always wear the proper respirator for epoxy resin.
Read more about resin safety here
Here is the BEST respirator mask for epoxy resin: this Full Face Organic Vapor Respirator checks off all of the boxes for resin safety, and comes with
- free 30 day returns
- a 1 year factory warranty
- free US shipping and free shipping on international orders
Here it is:
Want more resin tips? Follow us on Instagram! 👇
