How to Clean Diamond Painting Drills and Tools

Nothing dampens the excitement of a new project like opening a bag of drills only to find them dull, dusty, or sticking together in clumps. Whether it's residual film from the manufacturing process or the accumulation of wax and dust from repeatedly handling the diamonds, this can disrupt the smooth flow of your creative process and affect the final sparkle of your artwork.

Keep reading to learn the best ways to clean your diamond painting drills so that your artwork always shines brightly.

1. The Quick Fix: The Baby Wipe Method

If your drills feel slightly oily or you’ve noticed a bit of wax residue on your tools, you don’t always need a full "deep clean."

For Drills: Lay a baby wipe flat on your workspace and carefully pour a small batch of "sticky" drills onto it. Fold the wipe over and gently rub the drills between the layers.

For Tools: Use a fresh baby wipe to clean the tips of your diamond painting pens or tweezers. Wax and hand oils attract dust, which can make your pens less effective over time.

Pro Tip: Always transfer the drills to a dry paper towel immediately after wiping to ensure no moisture stays trapped when you put them back in their containers.

2. The Deep Clean: The Soapy Soak

Sometimes, a kit comes with drills that have a heavy manufacturing coating, or perhaps you’ve spilled something in your tray. In these cases, a "drill bath" is the best solution.

Prepare the Bath: Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a drop of mild dish soap.

The Strainer Trick: Place your drills in a fine-mesh kitchen strainer. Submerge the strainer into the soapy water.

Soak and Swirl: Let them sit for 15–30 minutes, then gently swirl the strainer to loosen any stubborn grime.

Rinse Thoroughly: Run cool, fresh water over the drills to remove every trace of soap.

Dry Completely: Spread the drills out in a single layer on a plate or paper towel.

Pro Tip: Do not store them until they are 100% dry. Storing damp drills can lead to clumping or even mold.

3. Dealing with "Clumped" Drills

If you open a bag and find a solid "brick" of drills that refuse to separate, don't panic! You don't have to pick them apart one by one.

The Rolling Pin Method: Place the clumped drills into a sturdy Ziploc bag. Lay the bag on a flat, hard surface and gently run a rolling pin (or a heavy glass bottle) over them. The pressure will pop the drills apart without damaging the facets.

The Container Shake: Some crafters find success by putting the clumps into a small plastic container with two clean pennies and shaking vigorously. The weight of the coins helps break the static and physical bonds between the drills.

4. Don't Forget Your Diamond Painting Pen

Your painting pen is the most frequently used tool in the kit; wax may solidify inside the pen tip, or pet hair may stick to the adhesive, which can easily dirty the drills and result in an imperfect finished product.

Clearing the Tip: Use a toothpick or a pair of fine-point tweezers to dig out old, hardened wax.

The Warm Soak: If the wax is really stuck, soak the tip of the pen in warm water for a few minutes to soften the residue before cleaning it out. Starting with fresh wax in a clean pen makes picking up drills much easier and faster.

5. Prevention is Better Than Cure

Keeping a clean workstation is the easiest way to avoid dirty drills:

Store Neatly: Use dedicated storage containers with tight lids to keep dust and pet hair away from your drills.

Wash Your Hands: Natural oils from your skin can transfer to the drills and make them lose their luster. A quick hand wash before a session goes a long way.

Cover Your Canvas: Always keep your canvas covered with its protective film or parchment paper when you aren't working on it to keep the adhesive from collecting household debris.

Maximum Sparkle, Minimum Effort

Restoring the luster to your drills doesn't have to be a chore. Clean away grease with mild soapy water, clean your diamond painting pen, and take protective measures to ensure your masterpiece shines brightly. A little maintenance goes a long way in achieving professional, sparkling results!

Ready to start your next project with perfectly clean drills? Check out our latest high-quality diamond paintings!