How do you store abrasive cleaning sticks?

[Alex Franke]

What's the best way to keep abrasive cleaning sticks from drying out? Or can you bring them back to life when they start getting too dry?

[Bruce Cohen]

Alex,

I've never had that happen to me. I still have and use the first stick I ever bought, and that was about 25 years ago. I work in an unheated garage that is just one step removed from working outside (except you never get wet).

I guess you can store them in Zip-Lock bags to keep them "fresh". That's what I do with the cartridges for my respirator.

Bruce

[Uncle Cracker]

You mean those big rubber gum erasers? I'm going on 20 years on mine, with no storage whatsoever. It just sits on the bench next to my belt/disk sander...

[Alex Franke]

Hmmm... weird. I wonder if it's just dry air or something.

I use mine as a divider in a metal tool cabinet (because it doesn't slide) but I noticed it sliding last night... and it felt harder and drier and doesn't seem to work as well now.

[tjr]

Maybe the rubber has picked up some oil from the tools in your drawer? Petroleum products wreck natural rubber pretty quickly.

[shoottx]

Usually on the floor!

Not on purpose! But every time I go to look for it that is where I find it!

[L. D. Jeffries]

Can't say its a problem as far as I can see. Years ago went to Salvation Army and found a couple of pairs of shoes with "crepe" soles. Cut them off the uppers and presto-magic, cleaning sticks to last years. Works just as well as commerical ones, plus they were almost free!

[Alex Franke]

Well, I think it might have just been frozen.... or at least very cold. (The shop is in the garage.)

I brought the stick in for a few days and it became more flexible again... It also seems to work better now.

Thanks for all your help!