Thread: From Don-isewman- A ??? on cutting mats

I play around with my cutting mat, when wanting to get it clean up. Does anyone, have a SPECIAL WAY in which they clean their cutting mats. Or to clean up some of the fine cutting lines on the mats surface. I soak mine in water & a little bleach(vinegar) sometimes.. Sometime, a cleaner used on clothing and let it soak for a little time.. Any suggestion, to help will be a wonderful.. I even sometimes take a fine sand paper to the mat surface. Thanks every one Don-isewman

Usually just wipe it over with a damp cloth or if it's really messy go over it with a very worn green pot scrubber. My mat is on it's last legs....my husband got me a new one, but I'm trying to use my old one 'til the bitter end (I am very frugal). Will be interested to see what everyone else does.

I just bought a new one too, but I am using my old one to cut batting or fleece (esp. the cuts for tied fleece blankets) because it seems that fuzz really gets into and stay in the cut. I don't remember if it was on this board or somewhere else, someone suggested to cut old boards and use them in bottoms of purses/bags and/or a smaller board for squaring up so you can turn it quickly on top of another larger board. hope that makes sense. I'm sure you wouldn't throw it, right, because we quilters are FRUGAL and never throw anything!

Originally Posted by earthwalker

Usually just wipe it over with a damp cloth or if it's really messy go over it with a very worn green pot scrubber. My mat is on it's last legs....my husband got me a new one, but I'm trying to use my old one 'til the bitter end (I am very frugal). Will be interested to see what everyone else does.

I use the yellow or green square pot cleaners to clean my board after each use, it gets in the lines from cutting.
As for cleaning with water or such I have never done that. But the pot scrubbers are GREAT.

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers work pretty well.

I found out on a blog somewhere information from Olfa regarding mats

TIPS FROM OLFA

To clean and hydrate a mat:

Fill up a tub (or sink) big enough to submerge your mat. You need to do a gallon of water to 1/4 cup of vinegar ratio. Make sure the water is cool. Once you have enough liquid, submerge your mat and wipe off any residue. Use Dove or Ivory dish soap and work into a lather over your mat. Rinse off. Self healing mats love moisture and the more supple they are, the kinder they will be to your rotary blade. Wipe your mat off with a towel.


To straighten out a warped mat:

What you need:
A warm day
A warped mat
Concrete
Piece of clean, flat plywood at least as big as your mat
Piece of heavy glass as big at least as big as your mat
Lay your flat plywood on the concrete. Put the warped olfs mat on top. Cover with the glass. Leave outside in the heat all day. When night falls or the next day comes while it is still cooler, remove your mat and you will be left with a mat that is “reset” to flat.

Using a rotary cutter :
To save your hands: every Olfa cutter has a little set of ridges to indicate the best ergonomic position for your hands. Put your finger (I use my index finger) or thumb on those ridges to help decrease any joint pain.