EagarBeez

I read a topic about soaking your cutting mats. I live in a modular home. Our bathtubs are a bit narrow to handle my large cutting mat. Afraid to lay it with some of it exposed and not wanting it to curl.
My DH suggested that maybe I should lay the mat on the table and wash it down with distilled water, being it is cleaner water then comes from the tap.

Up North

Can you fit it in a trash bag? Pour water in and seal the opening up good and let it soak that way?

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

Some people might be able to use a shower stall. They seem wider than many tubs. Put some that press and peel plastic wrap over the drain maybe..........mmmm....brain is clicking now!

icon17

Din't see the posts about soaking mats why are they doing it ? 8-)

oatw13

I did mine in a tub with warm water, vinegar and a splash of dish soap. It curled a bit on the sides, but I just moved it every 10-15 minutes so that every part of it had some time to soak. I turned it over and did the other side, too, so the curl had a chance to go both ways.

I then laid it flat on the floor and it was fine. It is still flat.

I think the key is warm water - not hot or cold - and moving it so that the curl goes both ways and it all has a chance to soak.

Bubblegum0077

Why are we soaking our cutting mats? I usually clean my off with a lint brush and it works. Is there something I am missing?

quilterguy27

Curiosity is getting the best of me too. Why are we soaking our mats? To clean them? To make them flat? Maybe re-hydrate them? I'm going to watch this thread.

Lisa_wanna_b_quilter

Some people have reported that soaking the mat "heals" some of the cuts in them. Not the deep ones, but others.

BellaBoo

The mats get dried out over time and need to be rehydrated to stay self healing. The hard surface mats do not need hydrating but a good cleaning every now and then.

nativetexan

the Olfa cutting mats seem to like water.