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

I don't know about all the other things but I have found that a regular pink eraser with remove the 'fuzzys' from all the cuts in your board. :)

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.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/search....archid=3859451 from advanced search of the board.

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 hope you mean bleach OR vinegar, not both together. That would release toxic chlorine gas!

I use a 'magic eraser' really works on mine....am always surprised at how dirty the eraser gets but does a nice job

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

TIPS FROM OLFA</SPAN></SPAN>

To clean and hydrate a mat:</SPAN></SPAN>

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.</SPAN></SPAN>


To straighten out a warped mat:</SPAN></SPAN>

What you need:</SPAN></SPAN>
A warm day</SPAN></SPAN>
A warped mat</SPAN></SPAN>
Concrete</SPAN></SPAN>
Piece of clean, flat plywood at least as big as your mat</SPAN></SPAN>
Piece of heavy glass as big at least as big as your mat</SPAN></SPAN>
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.</SPAN></SPAN>

Using a rotary cutter :</SPAN></SPAN>
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.</SPAN></SPAN>

Wow Quiltstringz - great info - thanks for sharing!