How to Clean Paper, Cardboard, and Toilet Paper Tubes

The first step in removing dirt and debris from any paper craft material is by gently wiping the affected area with a dry cloth. This should remove any loose debris. If you're trying to clean thinner paper, start with a soft brush. Brushes can be less abrasive than cloths, especially if you need to wipe very delicate areas. 

If the dry approach doesn't remove all of the dirt, add a little bit of warm water to your cloth. Make sure to rinse off any leftover debris from the first round of cleaning. If you're working with a brush, you may need to wash the brush with soap and water. Let the brush dry before using it again. 

When adding water to your cloth, make sure that it's damp and not drenched. You don't want to oversaturate your paper craft material. Gently wipe the surface of your material to remove any leftover dirt.

For very fine pieces of paper, water is not a recommended solution. You can, however, use a rubber sponge to carefully rub against your sheet of paper. If the sponge gets dirty, simply cut off the dirty edge and continue until the debris is all gone. 

If your cardboard or paper material has a shiny, coated surface, you can add mild soap to your water. Make sure to wipe away the soap with a rinsed cloth. 

The first step in removing stains from your paper craft materials is to see how bad the stain is. If your stain covers the entire surface area of the affected cardboard or paper, this solution might not work. For stains that have only soaked into a portion of your supplies, start by soaking up any leftover liquid with a dry paper towel. Do not rub the surface of your cardboard or paper. Pat the affected area carefully. 

If you're cleaning the stain on a thinner piece of paper, straighten out the paper and place two waterproof items on opposite corners to hold down and "stretch out" the affected area. 

Moisten a towel or a cloth and wipe the affected surface. Wipe gently until the color stops soaking into your towel or cloth. For paper, prepare an even solution of water and white vinegar. Use 1/2 cup of each to make the solution, and use cotton balls to carefully dab the stained surface until the stain clears. 

For cardboard, mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar with 1/2 cup of baking soda. Once the mixture stops foaming, pour it into a spray bottle. Add warm water until your spray bottle is full. Spray the stained area, and blot the area with an asbsorbent cloth until the stain is gone. 

Once you've removed the stain, pat your paper craft materials with a dry paper towel until the formerly stained area is dry. Continue to let your materials dry out in the open afterward. 

The tried and true method for sanitizing toilet roll crafts or any other thicker paper crafts is Lysol spray. Clorox wipes are also a quick and easy way to sanitize your crafting supplies, but if your crafting supplies are going to be used by small children, neither of these methods are recommended. 

If you set your toilet paper roll crafts outside on a sunny day, the heat from direct sunlight should kill off bacteria.