What do you do when a design suddenly comes out with marks or a sticky patch you didn’t expect? This happened to me while pressing a custom shirt, and that experience made me realize my Cricut heat press needed cleaning. Like many crafters, I stayed focused on iron-on projects and ended up skipping regular care. Over time, residue slowly builds up, and as a result, it starts to affect your final results. Because of that, I decided to write this blog to help you learn how to clean your Cricut heat press the right way. Along the way, you’ll also learn what to check before cleaning, what tools to use, and some tips to keep your machine working well for a long time.
Things to Do Before Cleaning the Cricut Heat Press
Taking some safety steps is necessary before you start cleaning your machine to avoid any damage or risk.
Always unplug the machine and let it cool down. It helps prevent burns and electric shocks.
Make sure your workspace has good airflow if you plan to use a cleaning solution.
Use surface-safe cleaners and a lint-free cloth.
Check the heat plate and outer surface for residue or damage before cleaning.
What You Need to Clean a Cricut Heat Press
Make sure you have the required tools prepared before you begin the process.
Lint-free cloth
Non-abrasive cleaner or isopropyl alcohol
Heat-resistant gloves to protect your hands, along with a brush or cotton swabs for corners.
Paper towels
Water
How to Clean Cricut Heat Press Plate
Cleaning the machine plate helps keep your iron-on projects neat and prevents marks on your materials.
Step 1: Turn Off and Cool Down
Disconnect the heat press and let it cool completely.
Note: Do not clean the plate while it is still warm.
Step 2: Wipe Away Dust & Small Particles
Next, you can use a lint-free cloth to wipe the plate to remove dust and particles before deeper cleaning.
Step 3: Remove Adhesive Residue
After that, use a clean cloth with alcohol for sticky marks. Clean those areas in small circular motions.
Step 4: Handle Tough Buildup
If the residue won’t come off, then use a soft scrubber or a non-abrasive cleaner. Apply light pressure only.
Step 5: Dry the Plate
Lastly, wipe the plate with a dry cloth and ensure it is free of moisture before using the Cricut heat press again.
Tips to Keep Cricut Heat Press Clean Longer
Here are tips to reduce residue and keep your machine working well for a long time.
Once the machine cools down, wipe the plate and outer surface with a lint-free cloth to stop buildup early.
Place a Teflon or parchment sheet between your project and the heat plate to block glue and ink from sticking.
Use the right temperature and pressure for each material to avoid melted residue on the plate.
Don’t wait for heavy buildup. Light and regular cleaning works best.
Stick to heat-press-friendly materials and use only gentle cleaners.
FAQs
How to remove burn marks from Cricut heat press?
Disconnect the press and leave it to cool down to room temperature.
Wipe the plate with a damp cloth using a mild cleaner.
For stubborn marks, you can use rubbing alcohol on the cloth.
Always dry the machine plate before using the machine again.
What can I use to clean my Cricut heat press?
A lint-free cloth with warm water works for light dirt.
For sticky residue, use a small amount of rubbing alcohol or a non-abrasive cleaner.
Always clean the plate when it’s turned off and slightly warm, not hot.
Dry it fully before using the press again to avoid marks.
Can I clean Cricut heat press using alcohol?
Yes, you can clean a heat press with rubbing alcohol.
First, turn off the machine and let it cool.
Put a small amount of alcohol on a lint-free cloth and wipe sticky or dirty spots.
Do not pour alcohol directly on the machine plate.
Let the surface dry before using the heat press again.
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